Vipers burning down?

[Saint_Spinner]

Hey folks. A couple months ago, I was driving on the 2 (for those in L.A.) towards La Canada. Onto my right I saw some smoke and a firetruck. I guess it was too late though....I saw a B&W GTS with the whole front end just burnt to a crisp. The only thing that remained was everything from the firewall and back.

It was surreal to look at...almost like someone just chopped off the whole front end. Was that anyone here?

I'm currently looking for a GTS and with all the stories of engine heat, yellowing of body panels from exhaust temp. and etc., whether engine fires are relatively rare or not? Was his GTS probably super modified? What would be the common reason for engine fires in Vipers? Loose fuel line? No coolant?

I used to own a Twin Turbo Rx-7 (baby viper as its often called )and many other's (including mine) nearly caught fire due to the fuel pulsation dampner going dry and brittle from the extreme heat created by the rotary engine and the twin turbos.

Is this something I should worry about? Ever have it happen to you? Thanks for all the input! I'm still on my search (just contacted Marv) and hopefully I'll be in one soon.

 

[PDCjonny]

Power steering cap chalks up another victim.

 

[Saint_Spinner]

Power steering cap chalks up another victim.

care to elaborate? Sorry, just a newbie trying to find out as much info. Thanks in advance.

 

[snampro]

basically the power steering cap works itself loose, spilling fluid onto the hot engine, mainly the exhaust manifold, and igniting. you can solve this problem with a $25 vent tube. its nothing to worry about if you are aware of it. I suggest you buy the vent tube when you get the car and don't worry about it again (but still check the cap every time you open the hood).

 

[Saint_Spinner]

basically the power steering cap works itself loose, spilling fluid onto the hot engine, mainly the exhaust manifold, and igniting. you can solve this problem with a $25 vent tube. its nothing to worry about if you are aware of it. I suggest you buy the vent tube when you get the car and don't worry about it again (but still check the cap every time you open the hood).

Right on. Any links to this $25 vent tube or do-it-yourself pics? Thanks for the info.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Here.

http://roeracing.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCat_P.asp?idCategory=14

 

[Saint_Spinner]

Thanks for the link! Definetly my first mod once I get my snake.

 

[hemibeep]

As far as the heat goes, the stock cats are the culprit. Switch to high flows, and alot of the heat problem is solved..

Didn't Mazda have a warning about parking the Rx-7 on grass as exhaust pipes could start a fire? ?

I know those rotarys generate a ton of heat, used to hang with some guys running rx3's and the headers would glow red after a few 11k RPM romps

 

[snampro]

high flow cats make a huge difference in the sidesill temps.

 

[ViperJoe]

Didn't Mazda have a warning about parking the Rx-7 on grass as exhaust pipes could start a fire? ?

I believe that you will find with the advent of the catalytic converter, all manufactures have or had something about parking over conbustible material in their manuals at one time or another due to the heat produced by these pesky devils.

 

[cobramadness]

Do most of you guys have this mod? Any pics of the nickel finish?

 

[DodgeViper01]

Sorry to hear that. Good luck with your search.

 

[Saint_Spinner]

As far as the heat goes, the stock cats are the culprit. Switch to high flows, and alot of the heat problem is solved..

Didn't Mazda have a warning about parking the Rx-7 on grass as exhaust pipes could start a fire? ?

I know those rotarys generate a ton of heat, used to hang with some guys running rx3's and the headers would glow red after a few 11k RPM romps

Youre right about the mazdas. The 3rd generation Rx-7 (the last of the Rx-7) created so much heat that we had a little warning light on the center tunnel...basically if this light is on, stay off the grass and etc.

After (even a short one) a drive, if you pop the hood, you could see the pre-cat (sometimes replaced with a downpipe) glowing red. And we weren't even pushing the car either.

I guess I"ll get that valve part and some hi-flow cats...my only worry is the strict CA emissions laws. Thanks for the advice everyone. I appreciate it.

 

[DEVILDOG]

Do most of you guys have this mod? Any pics of the nickel finish?

I've got the nickel finish and it matches well with the silver on the top of the intake manifold...sorry no pics. Definitely secures the cap and I don't worry about it coming off. Everyone should have one so that no more Vipers burn to the ground.

 

[VPRVENM97]

Here are a couple pics of the nickel finish tube. Sorry I don't have any close-ups. BTW, I have high flow cats and just passed Smog a couple days ago with no problems.

 

[cobramadness]

Thanks for the pics... sweeet ride... engine bay looks nice.

 

[95Viper]

Here's a chrome tube...the nickel looks more like the OEM parts

 

[Randy]

You can solve this for less than a buck with a simple rubber hose of the right diameter - just stick it on the cap ****** and zip tie it so it empties below the headers. Not as elegant and bling, but it does both jobs of keeping the cap from rotating and venting the fluid. (Yeah, I have the nice chrome tube also, but the cheap&dirty yet effective has to be mentioned).

 

[Asp Man]

A tip: some oem type black plastic convoluted or split loom over the high presure PS hose at the back of the pump.
Place it near where it changes to hard line.
Will help prevent premature hose failure (something none of us want, right?!) from the heat of the exh.
I put some on mine and noticed it actualy melted a tiny bit, but felt better that it was the loom taking the brunt of the heat and not the hose.
There are a few other places this stuff could be used, too.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Here's a chrome tube...the nickel looks more like the OEM parts

My brother bought me one of those. Must say, I am very happy it is on there now as I did not know about the problem before.