DieselDavey
05-15-2009, 14:40
Blazen' Burbans!
How do you like yours? Sweet BBQ or Hot?
Mine was Blazing Fire today!
Yep! Toasted. It did not taste so well!
I was pulling my camper the 30 miles from home to the R.V. resort I belong too.
Before leaving home, I noticed the umbilical that plugs into the tow vehicle from the camper had a few connectors that were a bit rusty or one side had broken off.
I stopped by the General RV store about 1/4 way to the campground & picked up a few things for the camper, including a new 8 pin connector. I planned on putting the new connector on this evening.
Pulling out of the RV store, I thought I smelled something burning. It was not "someones got a fire going" or the typical "leaf fire" smell... it was that industrial plastic burning smell.
I rolled down the window, and could faintly smell that the odor was coming from outside. No worries.
In extremely heavy traffic, I was in the left hand turn lane to get on the expressway when the Burbs brakes completely failed.
The only thing that stopped me was my trailer brakes.
I noticed a small bit of smoke coming from the drivers side, close to the cab. Smack where the Master cylinder and brake systems are. I thought that the smoke might be from brake fluid baking on the hot engine (This is also the same location where the main electrical systems are).
I could not get over to the right, and pull over to the side of the road. I was committed to getting on the expressway.
I figured I would limp along on the shoulder and get off at the next exit. The next exit was 4 miles away.
Driving on the shoulder, getting close to the next exit, it was time to slow down (I was only going 30 mph).
Hitting the brakes, that is when I started to smell the smoke and see the drivers side, close to the cab, part of my beautiful white hood stating to turn a bit brown.
OH FRICKEN NO!
I knew (DUH) that I had a fire.
What a hopeless feeling.
I called 911 as soon as I could. I have a PDA Phone. These are not quick. I strongly suggest having a normal cell phone in the vehicle for emergency purposes.
I tried to pop the hood. Hood would not open. DAMMIT!
I had a 10 LB extinguisher in the camper. I got it out as soon as I could... no use. I squirted the extinguisher down between the window and the hood.
Good people at at Heavy Equipment factory just off the expressway tossed a couple of 30lb dry chemical extinguisher's over the fence.
I used both. Fuel or something was dripping on the ground and catching on fire. I was able to put that out twice. I used a 30lb to squirt under the fender where there was flame on the drivers side engine. I tried to get up as high (between the engine and the fender) as I could without burning myself.
Thick black smoke sucks!
After the extinguishers were, well, extinguished, I realized that this was the Titanic and it was time to abandon ship.
I have never loved a vehicle before. I loved this Burb. How awful to watch her melt.
Removed personal effects asap (including the notebook computer I'm now typing on).
I disconnected the trailer as fast as possible.
Wiring umbilical connector was partially melted.
Disconnected the propane tanks and moved them a safe distance from the fire.
That's when I finally heard the sirens.
The fire dept. started to hose her down. They used a huge pry bar to get the hood open. Used another type of bar to keep the hood open.
What a friggin mess!
I was asked all sorts of questions about if I just had work done on the vehicle, what were the symptoms etc...
Starting back...
The Check Engine light came on as always after my first stop towing. The code is always PO236 and P1656.
I Lubricated the waste gate actuator and solenoid a couple weeks ago (solenoid is one year old) with WD 40. I thought that might take care of the code. Seems like maybe an over boost is causing the code from a sticky wastegate.
When I first got the burb a little over a year ago, I wired the trailer brakes myself. I followed the directions found here on this board. I used 10 gauge wire from the Aux. Power post to the brake controller. Also had a 30 amp self resetting breaker on the post to the 10 gauge to the controller. All connections were soldered and heat shrink wrapped. This has always worked flawlessly.
The only other major work I performed on the burb was to replace the power steering pump (shaft broke).
Up until the end, the only lights on the dash were check engine and brake lights. Temperature gauge normal (Around 200 pulling camper).
Questions:
Does anyone think that the added resistance of the camper brakes (due to the rusted connector to the camper) would have overheated the wiring, causing an electrical fire?
Keep in mind I had a 30 amp fuse, and the trailer brakes functioned normally till the end.
The umbilical connector was melted. The Fire Department thought that might have been because I was relying solely on the trailer brakes for stopping. I was watching my prodigy brake controller. It never went over 4.5 volts.
Do you think that a ruptured brake line or something with the master cylinder caused the fire?
Has this happened to anyone else?
A very nice couple (They are Campers... Campers are always the best people) stopped and pulled me and my rig to the campground where I am now typing this to you.
I was about to put mega bucks into my Burb. My new 3" down pipe and 4" exhaust just arrived at home today... The wife called and asked if she should reject the delivery... I told her to accept, as I don't know what the insurance company will do.
Well, my enthusiasm for these little critters has diminished greatly.
I"m pretty sure the Burb is going to be totalled by the insurance company.
I'm wondering what to do for a replacement.
I loved, loved, loved the burb! I need a vehicle that I can lug Musical equipment, groceries, and pull my camper.
The damn pickups with the 1/2 back doors just don't work for me.
Excursions where too expensive.
So here I am.
What would you do?
I hesitate to buy another burb.
I really wish I knew what caused the fire.
I don't think it was electrical due to the camper because the brakes functioned even with the fire.
What do you think?
I love this community here. God Bless...
Dave
How do you like yours? Sweet BBQ or Hot?
Mine was Blazing Fire today!
Yep! Toasted. It did not taste so well!
I was pulling my camper the 30 miles from home to the R.V. resort I belong too.
Before leaving home, I noticed the umbilical that plugs into the tow vehicle from the camper had a few connectors that were a bit rusty or one side had broken off.
I stopped by the General RV store about 1/4 way to the campground & picked up a few things for the camper, including a new 8 pin connector. I planned on putting the new connector on this evening.
Pulling out of the RV store, I thought I smelled something burning. It was not "someones got a fire going" or the typical "leaf fire" smell... it was that industrial plastic burning smell.
I rolled down the window, and could faintly smell that the odor was coming from outside. No worries.
In extremely heavy traffic, I was in the left hand turn lane to get on the expressway when the Burbs brakes completely failed.
The only thing that stopped me was my trailer brakes.
I noticed a small bit of smoke coming from the drivers side, close to the cab. Smack where the Master cylinder and brake systems are. I thought that the smoke might be from brake fluid baking on the hot engine (This is also the same location where the main electrical systems are).
I could not get over to the right, and pull over to the side of the road. I was committed to getting on the expressway.
I figured I would limp along on the shoulder and get off at the next exit. The next exit was 4 miles away.
Driving on the shoulder, getting close to the next exit, it was time to slow down (I was only going 30 mph).
Hitting the brakes, that is when I started to smell the smoke and see the drivers side, close to the cab, part of my beautiful white hood stating to turn a bit brown.
OH FRICKEN NO!
I knew (DUH) that I had a fire.
What a hopeless feeling.
I called 911 as soon as I could. I have a PDA Phone. These are not quick. I strongly suggest having a normal cell phone in the vehicle for emergency purposes.
I tried to pop the hood. Hood would not open. DAMMIT!
I had a 10 LB extinguisher in the camper. I got it out as soon as I could... no use. I squirted the extinguisher down between the window and the hood.
Good people at at Heavy Equipment factory just off the expressway tossed a couple of 30lb dry chemical extinguisher's over the fence.
I used both. Fuel or something was dripping on the ground and catching on fire. I was able to put that out twice. I used a 30lb to squirt under the fender where there was flame on the drivers side engine. I tried to get up as high (between the engine and the fender) as I could without burning myself.
Thick black smoke sucks!
After the extinguishers were, well, extinguished, I realized that this was the Titanic and it was time to abandon ship.
I have never loved a vehicle before. I loved this Burb. How awful to watch her melt.
Removed personal effects asap (including the notebook computer I'm now typing on).
I disconnected the trailer as fast as possible.
Wiring umbilical connector was partially melted.
Disconnected the propane tanks and moved them a safe distance from the fire.
That's when I finally heard the sirens.
The fire dept. started to hose her down. They used a huge pry bar to get the hood open. Used another type of bar to keep the hood open.
What a friggin mess!
I was asked all sorts of questions about if I just had work done on the vehicle, what were the symptoms etc...
Starting back...
The Check Engine light came on as always after my first stop towing. The code is always PO236 and P1656.
I Lubricated the waste gate actuator and solenoid a couple weeks ago (solenoid is one year old) with WD 40. I thought that might take care of the code. Seems like maybe an over boost is causing the code from a sticky wastegate.
When I first got the burb a little over a year ago, I wired the trailer brakes myself. I followed the directions found here on this board. I used 10 gauge wire from the Aux. Power post to the brake controller. Also had a 30 amp self resetting breaker on the post to the 10 gauge to the controller. All connections were soldered and heat shrink wrapped. This has always worked flawlessly.
The only other major work I performed on the burb was to replace the power steering pump (shaft broke).
Up until the end, the only lights on the dash were check engine and brake lights. Temperature gauge normal (Around 200 pulling camper).
Questions:
Does anyone think that the added resistance of the camper brakes (due to the rusted connector to the camper) would have overheated the wiring, causing an electrical fire?
Keep in mind I had a 30 amp fuse, and the trailer brakes functioned normally till the end.
The umbilical connector was melted. The Fire Department thought that might have been because I was relying solely on the trailer brakes for stopping. I was watching my prodigy brake controller. It never went over 4.5 volts.
Do you think that a ruptured brake line or something with the master cylinder caused the fire?
Has this happened to anyone else?
A very nice couple (They are Campers... Campers are always the best people) stopped and pulled me and my rig to the campground where I am now typing this to you.
I was about to put mega bucks into my Burb. My new 3" down pipe and 4" exhaust just arrived at home today... The wife called and asked if she should reject the delivery... I told her to accept, as I don't know what the insurance company will do.
Well, my enthusiasm for these little critters has diminished greatly.
I"m pretty sure the Burb is going to be totalled by the insurance company.
I'm wondering what to do for a replacement.
I loved, loved, loved the burb! I need a vehicle that I can lug Musical equipment, groceries, and pull my camper.
The damn pickups with the 1/2 back doors just don't work for me.
Excursions where too expensive.
So here I am.
What would you do?
I hesitate to buy another burb.
I really wish I knew what caused the fire.
I don't think it was electrical due to the camper because the brakes functioned even with the fire.
What do you think?
I love this community here. God Bless...
Dave