DanMan2k06
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Damascus, MD
If you think the whole "oil igniting on exhaust" concept is just a myth - think again.
It was about 2am, some buddies and I were at the beach and decided to go bomb some dunes. We got to the sand, and started playing around. I'd say I was around 60-70% lead foot status. Pushing her, but definitely not to the limit. My temperature gauge climbed to about 220, and stayed steady so we continued. This all happened within about 15 minutes. Next thing you know, I smell something that resembled burning crayons. I came to a stop, and my buddy says "dude what's this light on the ground from?". We both jump out and find the underside of my rig in flames. Particularly the bell housing/pan area, and the downpipe in front of the crossmember. Luckily I had a gallon of drinking water in the back, and we were able to put it out before any damage was done.
Trans fluid was overflowing (gratuitously) from the dipstick, dripping down it, and pouring onto my downpipe. I couldn't believe how quickly is was igniting either. As soon as it hit the pipe, it would burst into flames.
So this begs the questions: what the hell caused the fluid to erupt out of the dipstick? I also noticed a puddle on top of my intake manifold, right beneath the TV cable. Almost like the fluid had climbed up the jacket off the cable and spewed out. Could my vent be clogged? ABSURD heat (gauge inaccurate)? Too much fluid? I will also note, that once it cooled down, we drove back home without issue. Checked it again at the house (in neutral, hot, at idle) and it was dead on the mark. Then proceeded to drive 325 miles back to MD, again without issue.
Any ideas??
It was about 2am, some buddies and I were at the beach and decided to go bomb some dunes. We got to the sand, and started playing around. I'd say I was around 60-70% lead foot status. Pushing her, but definitely not to the limit. My temperature gauge climbed to about 220, and stayed steady so we continued. This all happened within about 15 minutes. Next thing you know, I smell something that resembled burning crayons. I came to a stop, and my buddy says "dude what's this light on the ground from?". We both jump out and find the underside of my rig in flames. Particularly the bell housing/pan area, and the downpipe in front of the crossmember. Luckily I had a gallon of drinking water in the back, and we were able to put it out before any damage was done.
Trans fluid was overflowing (gratuitously) from the dipstick, dripping down it, and pouring onto my downpipe. I couldn't believe how quickly is was igniting either. As soon as it hit the pipe, it would burst into flames.
So this begs the questions: what the hell caused the fluid to erupt out of the dipstick? I also noticed a puddle on top of my intake manifold, right beneath the TV cable. Almost like the fluid had climbed up the jacket off the cable and spewed out. Could my vent be clogged? ABSURD heat (gauge inaccurate)? Too much fluid? I will also note, that once it cooled down, we drove back home without issue. Checked it again at the house (in neutral, hot, at idle) and it was dead on the mark. Then proceeded to drive 325 miles back to MD, again without issue.
Any ideas??