BBQ'd Diablo

Seriously....
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Electric fuel pump (actually two), controlled by the engine management system. The fuel system operates at relatively high pressure (35-40 psi), any significant leak (hoses, fuel rails, regulators, loose fittings etc.) will wet things down pretty quickly. Hot exhaust and high-voltage ignition nearby. This system is similar to most cars on the road today.


What is most surprising is that fires don't happen more often.

 

what a stupid comment...
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Sorry about your Lambo...when I get a stone chip in my 308 I want to cry...can't imagine this. Congrats on the engagement.

I'm an investigator and did take arson training over the years. What a fire investigator will look for is Cause and Origin. Every fire has a pattern and a trained eye will be able to get in there (as tight as it may be) to look for the likely origin of the fire, i.e. where it started from...that may lead to determining the cause. Granted it's easier to determine in a stucture fire...in a car, if it was a leaking hose, the hose is likely gone. You don't need to be an expert in a particular type of car. It would help to have a knowledge of how they work, or at least a schematic of this particular engine. I think in this case, it's just a standard procedure. The guy will look and see that the fire started in the engine...end of story. I doubt he will actually dig in. Insurance company just wants to make sure there was no funny business. Over the years, I investigated fire losses only to find the fire started on the passenger seat...with accelerant and a match. Again, just standard procedure for them.

 

better get that gerry can out of the passenger seat before he gets there steve!

 

The fire extinguishing system I am looking at is based on a halogenated agent (AKA Halon). To work it needs to discharge over a long enough period to provide a minimum concentration or discharge within a relatively closed compartment. The agent works by actually blocking the chemical reaction that is 'fire'. Most systems will provide a nozzle within the cockpit, nozzles within the engine compartment, and nozzle(s) near the gas tank. Most of the agents are heavier than air. In the engine compartment they will want to 'fall' out the open bottom. These systems are ideal for boats because boats have no open bottom. The track car is a no brainer. Get in a wreck, fire starts, need time to get out and pull the discharge. The collectable cars are another question. Let's say I smell something. First thought is to open the hood. Now I see a fire and have to remember to close the hood and discharge the system. First response may be to get the portable fire extinguisher and give it a try. (Natural response but a 50/50 chance at best. I have one good experience where a portable extinguisher saved a car of mine and several (other peoples cars) where I just couldn't get the powder on the seat of the fire to put it out.) Now the fire is at least doubling in size every minute. Portable extinguisher doesn't get it. Now I need to really remember to close the hood and then discharge system. Injury is not as great a concern as the fire spreading to the point where the system won't be able to put it out. I have been a fireman for 30 years and still think that when it is my highly valued and loved car I won't think as clearly as when I am just doing a job on someone elses poor misfortune. Any thoughts Steve? based on your experience. PS I do fire investigations also. You will be surprised at what an investigator with a good background on specific mecahnicals can determine. It would not surprise me if this investigator has dealt with similar fires on this specific model. Once an investigator develops an expertise in a very specific area he will be sought out by the insurance companies and sent all over the place. Lots of luck. The good thing is there is a thrill to the hunt for a new car. Just sucks the way you got there. Mark

 

Sorry to see this, but you're ok and that's the important thing.

 

Fuel regulator. Interesting. I'll bet it was the fuel return line off the regulator that started leaking. Sprayed gas right ontop of the distributor.

 

Horrible to see those pics...hope everything works out

 

I am now going to add fuel system components to the list of parts to be replaced. Hoses, clamps, pressure regulators. Scary. I have to assume that the pressure regulator is an off the shelf item which is not unique to the Diablo, as is a fuel pump. A cross reference thread would be nice (if I learn of any equivalent parts I will post what I find).

I learned recently of a Countach which had a hard to diagnose, slightly weeping fuel tank. Visual inspection discovered no issues, but by placing a light in the tank in a dark room, many tiny pinholes were discovered. Makes me want to pull my tanks and look at them.

As I tend to drive them at or below the speed limit and rarely in heavy traffic, fire is my greatest concern in these cars.

 

Steve, I had forgotten about this. How did you ever make out?