So, I had a free Sunday.....

[gtvlusso]

Finally, a free day. No kids and no dog, just a few "minor" jobs to do around the house and around the car....

So, firstly, lets do the messy job and change the thermostat on the car;

Researched in Manual: Check
Researched in Official Workshop Instructions: Check
Researched in online forum: Check
Correct part ordered and delivered: Check

Put on the overalls and head out to the car armed with tools......So, after I doused the fire, the investigation started.

Turns out that one of the diesel fuel lines from the common rail (the feedback loop) had completely split, in fact I think it had been partially split for a while as the engine always smelt a little bit of diesel. In trying to remove the thermostat housing I must have knocked the fuel line and fuel wee'd out everywhere. Mixed with coolant and a hot engine = small fire.

So, a 2 pence part and a 1 hour task has turned into a £500 reapair job and a tow from Reading to Home....

Bugger.......

 

[renault12ts]

Bad luck. What car do you have?

 

[gtvlusso]

2002 ML.......

Last car I worked on was a 1980's Ford Fiesta! The lesson is, cars have moved on and I have not!!!

 

[MicB]

Bugger indeed.

Mic

 

[grober]

And was the thermostat actually faulty? Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Sp!ke]

What is the flashpoint of diesel?

I would have thought it would need to be a very hot source of ignition to ignite.

 

[eugekav]

Fire in the hold!

Hi,So sorry to read about your fire.It may be small consalation but at least you were not burnt as we all know how quickly these things get out of hand esp fire.I was supprised that the diesel caught on fire I had presumed that the fuel would need a spark to ignite even in a heated up state.So I have learnt something about fuel and it just shows"you can't be to carefull". Thanks.

Euge.

 

[gtvlusso]

Note - Diesel and coolant mix.....I think cooland has glycol in it.