A third cause of fires on the '74 s is the flapper between the
exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe on the passenger side.
The valve is supposed to divert exhaust gasses during warm up
to help with reducing emissions. After warm up, it opens and
the gasses flow through the pipe to the muffler.
Apparently, it was installed upside down at the factory and
would never open. So much heat was generated that things
caught fire. By now, I'd imagine most are either
reinstalled correctly or removed but it's still worth checking.
On my car, #430, it's still upside down but someone used heavy
wire, like a coat hanger, to hold it in the open position.
That fix is okay unless the wire breaks. I check it periodically.
Stephen I. Early
Portfolio Conversions
MBNA America
302.457.4788
800.441.7048 x74788
stephen.early@mbna.com
-----Original Message-----
From: George Malaska [mailto:gmalaska@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 6:49 AM
To: serge.ber@sympatico.ca
Cc: Bricklin@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Bricklin on fire
>From: Serge Berube <serge.ber@sympatico.ca>
>Reply-To: Serge Berube <serge.ber@sympatico.ca>
>To: "bricklin@autox.team.net" <bricklin@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Bricklin on fire
>Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 06:20:59 -0500
>
>Ok..Gang I would like to know why and what would make Bricklins catch on
>fire Im sinking lots of $$$$$ in mine and would cry to find my car like
>that !!!Any recalls that we should all know????It would be great article
>in the Brickline so send me all input on this subget Thank You lets keep
>Bricklin alive....Serge vin 1733
Serge, the two biggest reasons I have seen are fuel lines deteriorating at
the carb, breaking, filling the compartment with gas and POOF, break out the
marshmallows and hot dogs. The other is a power steering hose
cracking/breaking and spewing ATF on the exhaust manifold. Same result.
Carbs are also known to leak fuel (gaskets/accelerator pump)with the same
results. This happens when people either don't inspect things under the hood
and think that just because the car has very little miles on it that every
thing is fine. WRONG! The gaskets shrink and dry out and the hoses
deteriorate with age and heat. I check for leaks constantly and never start
my car and walk away for a long time while it idles. You never know what can
happen in an instant. Also, trust your nose. If you smell fuel, there's a
reason. Check it out. Repair any fuel or oil leaks promptly.
George.
George J. Malaska, VIN#768
V.P. Membership, Bricklin International
Elkhart, IN. 46514
Home: 219-262-0649
Cell: 219-903-1180
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