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Blue85 catches on fire

Blue85

Blue85

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Was welding lower PS inner fender mount back together. Blue grease started falling and it was probably old rustproofing sticky grease. Used water spray and then garden hose, but it just kept flaming up under dash and under hood. Broke windshield (1985 original with wire antenna!), melted air plenum and blower motor completely away, ECU and wiring is probably destroyed.

Ran garden hose into it for probably 15 minutes. Broke the glove box latch with prybar to get the water in. Yelled for help the whole time and someone got through to fire Dept. Attached garage means you'll lose the whole house and nowhere for family and in-laws to go. When first discovered I tried to drive it out, but wouldn't start and then 12" flames started coming from PS kick panel. Later, when help came we just pushed it out. When Fire Dept showed up, everything was out, so they just did house inspection and thermal camera on Blue85. 20230814_223505.jpg

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This rig is supposed to lead Upper Penninsula Overland in 2 days, but it can't run for months. Trying to figure out options and keep the event happening. We can do some stuff with the stock beater, but there are some places it just can't go.
 
Oh no that's terrible news. Certainly glad it didn't get worse and burn the whole truck or the garage and house!
 
I hate to see this, fire is never good but I'm glad it was somewhat contained. Hopefully, daylight won't reveal any additional damage.
 
Damn that sucks! I’m glad you got it out and didn’t burn the garage/house too.

Might look into seeing if a local rental car place has a Jeep wrangler to rent for the trip. While it’s a jeep, it’s probably the most capable rig you can put your hands on for an overland event. Even a sport model would work.
 
Looks like the fire started in the fender and traveled through the fresh/recirc flapper door, where it melted out the kick panel and started burning the HVAC box. Blower housing is completely gone. Sadly, the Megasquirt ECU sits right on top of that plenum (see the silver box below). The sun visor is destroyed and part of the headliner, so maybe it was about to get a lot worse. The worst part of fixing all of this will be the wiring. Chunks of harnesses are breaking off in my hands.

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Really glad you got it out when you did, even though the damage sucks it could have been a complete loss and taken your house with it. It's a bitter pill, but you really have to see the positives IMO. I'd guess a full harness from Painless or the like is in your future, there doesn't look like there is any saving any part of what you have.
 
I agree I’d take the opportunity to start fresh with a new harness. As crappy as that is to say, it’s the only way to do it right. Even replacing wires back to a solid part of the harness will not guarantee a trouble free life from gremlins.

Starting over from scratch will allow a fresh start with a new harness that has had no previous owner bs inflicted on it. I’d much rather put a harness in than try and splice in 20-30 or more circuits.

It’s not a quick fix but it’s the way to do it right.
 
What a bummer, I feel horrible for you! :frown1: As others have said, at least it's not a total loss. I would definitely do a new harness. I think you'll be much happier in the end, all things considered.
 
DAMN DUDE!! :cry:

Will you ever be able to get rid of the smoke smell from the fresh air intake?
 
I kind of doubt I'll ever get the smoke smell out. The front carpet needs replacement, plus the headliner, so that will help. Maybe I can strip the upholstery off the seats to clean it.

With the Cadillac down and K5 dead I'll probably put a license plate back on the Quadraburb. The rusty XL is going on the trail today.
 
Thinking about this. With the heater and ac box melted I think it would be a good time to swap out for an aftermarket hvac unit. Besides the obvious hit on cost being the main negative, the benefits are many. Smaller, more efficient packaging. The burn plastic goes away, though you’ll need the cowl screen and few other bits for the fresh air inlet.

Finding factory hvac cases that aren’t cracked or busted in multiple spots isn’t as easy as it used to be either. I’m guessing a good chunk of the vacuum controls melted too.

I think after the burnt plastics are yanked from the truck and the metal surfaces scrubbed where you can access them the odor should be reduced by a lot.
 
Bummer. Did the adhesive first start to burn?

I never weld on the K5 in the garage for fear that I might catch something on fire in the garage. There is alot of fire hazards in the garage.

When I weld outside I always keep two fire extinguishers within 10 ft of me. I caught the grass on fire one time and used a water hose to put it out. When I weld on the K5 I also use welding blankets to protect from sparks.
 
Good job keeping the flames at bay. I’m surprised the fire took off like that. I hate fire when it’s somewhere it ain’t supposed to be.
 
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