Why did my MK1 Golf GTI catch fire?
Discussion
MK1 Golf GTI 1600 - standard
My Golf is in good condition and apparently free of fuel leaks, indeed the car is running fine post fire with still no signs of leaks. Engine doesn’t smoke in normal use.
The background (may or may not be relevant):
I had the car services and competed in a shakedown sprint at Curborough which has a flat in 2nd 180 degree bend which produces a lot of roll, which produced a huge amount of smoke from the exhaust, so much smoke that I thought there had been a major failure, but all was fine when I checked in the “pits”.
There is a breather at the top left of the cam cover and I assumed that in the long bend oil had been flung to the left and out of the breather and then burnt, causing the smoke. I only did a couple of runs as I was worried about detonation damaging the engine. I left the event planning on fitting a breather catch tank and seeing if that fixed it. Later I found that the garage who had serviced it had over filled the oil so wondered if that might be related.
Anyway, having driven back without incident from Curbrough, (100 miles at fairly high speed), the car goes into the garage (now with correct oil level) for some suspension work. When I go to collect it the car is left ticking over for a long time, maybe 25 minutes, and then I set off, gauges reading normal. I get about 100 yards up the road and the car is on fire so I drive back to the garage and use their extinguishers to put it out. Engine running ok afterwards
Fire is clearly centred in the top right of the engine – around the oil breather area and the burning was the various plastic and rubber pipes in that region. But I had to go and left it with the garage to fix so I didn't see it when it wasn't covered in fire extinguiseher residue. Car is now fixed and running. However, it occurs to me that I ought to know why it started. Could the breather have built up some oil? Any other ideas?
My Golf is in good condition and apparently free of fuel leaks, indeed the car is running fine post fire with still no signs of leaks. Engine doesn’t smoke in normal use.
The background (may or may not be relevant):
I had the car services and competed in a shakedown sprint at Curborough which has a flat in 2nd 180 degree bend which produces a lot of roll, which produced a huge amount of smoke from the exhaust, so much smoke that I thought there had been a major failure, but all was fine when I checked in the “pits”.
There is a breather at the top left of the cam cover and I assumed that in the long bend oil had been flung to the left and out of the breather and then burnt, causing the smoke. I only did a couple of runs as I was worried about detonation damaging the engine. I left the event planning on fitting a breather catch tank and seeing if that fixed it. Later I found that the garage who had serviced it had over filled the oil so wondered if that might be related.
Anyway, having driven back without incident from Curbrough, (100 miles at fairly high speed), the car goes into the garage (now with correct oil level) for some suspension work. When I go to collect it the car is left ticking over for a long time, maybe 25 minutes, and then I set off, gauges reading normal. I get about 100 yards up the road and the car is on fire so I drive back to the garage and use their extinguishers to put it out. Engine running ok afterwards
Fire is clearly centred in the top right of the engine – around the oil breather area and the burning was the various plastic and rubber pipes in that region. But I had to go and left it with the garage to fix so I didn't see it when it wasn't covered in fire extinguiseher residue. Car is now fixed and running. However, it occurs to me that I ought to know why it started. Could the breather have built up some oil? Any other ideas?
Presumably the engine was hot and there was oil leaking somewhere which ignited with the heat. I presume you have checked the fuel lines etc. However it would probably have consumed the car had it been fuel. I would be asking the garage who worked on the car if they can suggest any possibilities.
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