Possible fire hazard - a lesson from our experience

[Ryan Schoffer]

During testing today, we had the fuel rail come loose on the 2003 car, causing a large fire when the fuel sprayed on a hot exhaust from between the rail and injector seal on one of the injectors.

Luckily the driver (me) got out in record time (didnt even take the time to remove the steering wheel) and most of the damage is singed wires, melted connectors, a couple screwed sensors, a charred firewall and throttle body and one f*cked K&N air filter.

So, for anyone who is using the stock f4i rail, or even an aftermarket one, I would reccomend using positive locking nuts or jam nuts on the bolts that hold the rail down especially if the bolts just thread into a bar or the intake stacks, and making extra sure the rail is tight before every test session or race.

We also think the problem is from the uneven clamping force from the offset bolt hole position on the stock rail, which causes fuel to spray out from in between the rail and injector on one side if the rail is loose, so that might be something to fix as well depeding on your setup.

So have a safe long weekend. - And no, we didnt get any pics of the actual fire (6' high with about 10' behind the car before the engine cut out, i am told) and the damage doesnt look like much, just a bunch of white powder from the fire extinguisher and the singed wires and black firewall.

[Ryan Schoffer]

During testing today, we had the fuel rail come loose on the 2003 car, causing a large fire when the fuel sprayed on a hot exhaust from between the rail and injector seal on one of the injectors.

Luckily the driver (me) got out in record time (didnt even take the time to remove the steering wheel) and most of the damage is singed wires, melted connectors, a couple screwed sensors, a charred firewall and throttle body and one f*cked K&N air filter.

So, for anyone who is using the stock f4i rail, or even an aftermarket one, I would reccomend using positive locking nuts or jam nuts on the bolts that hold the rail down especially if the bolts just thread into a bar or the intake stacks, and making extra sure the rail is tight before every test session or race.

We also think the problem is from the uneven clamping force from the offset bolt hole position on the stock rail, which causes fuel to spray out from in between the rail and injector on one side if the rail is loose, so that might be something to fix as well depeding on your setup.

So have a safe long weekend. - And no, we didnt get any pics of the actual fire (6' high with about 10' behind the car before the engine cut out, i am told) and the damage doesnt look like much, just a bunch of white powder from the fire extinguisher and the singed wires and black firewall.

[Kirk Feldkamp]

It's amazing how fast you can get out of the car when properly motivated! Last time I saw smoke I got out without taking off the steering wheel too.... and in a LOT less than 5 seconds! http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[ethanL007]

We are using an F4i rail, thanks for the heads up.

[Mike Shaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ethanL007:
We are using an F4i rail, thanks for the heads up. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

i'll forward this post to our engine guys. thanks for the heads up, hope yall's car recovers quickly so you can get more testing in.

[Ryan Schoffer]

no problem - i figure with a big safety concern like fire, i should post something about it here before it happens to someones car for this years competition, or at competition

seems like the repair is going to be some new sensors, a bit of wiring, a couple injectors and a lot of cleanup!

[95M3Racer]

Did you guys have a splatter/splash guard protecting it from the driver or any other components, or did it just pop off and go everywhere?

Glad everyone was ok.

Motosports is dangerous!c http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_redface.gif

[Ryan Schoffer]

didnt really spray everywhere - was a smallish leak right down onto the block near the starter

we have a full firewall running right up to the top of the headrest, so no problems there

[Dominic Venieri]

the same thing happened to our 2000 car between detroit and england. the driver of that car never moved so fast in his life! it made a nice mess of our bodywork, shocks, wiring, you name it... luckily everyone is OK. at least you have plenty of time to fix the scorched earth.

[Matt]

Im supprised you already didnt have it attached to the motor. The judges have ripped our off before we started doin that in the past.