RIP '72 411

[Pine]

From TheSamba, this sad story - let it be a lesson for all of us

I'm sad to report that last Saturday, October 1st, 2011, the world lost another Type 4. While driving home from Vancouver, WA (to Portland, OR), I started to notice a faint gas smell. Then the car started losing power and I saw the needle on the fuel gauge began to drop rapidly, so there was definitely some sort of gas leak. I was on the freeway, so I pulled over as soon as I could and when I did, I heard and saw a VERY LOUD explosion/fireball shoot out from the back of the engine.

I immediately popped the trunk, grabbed the fire extinguisher, but that did very little good at that point. My little 411 was completely engulfed in flames and by the time the fire department arrived, Shermy was gone. They started busting out the windows and sawed off the engine hatch to extinguish what was left of the fire. The back end is totaled and it would cost way too much to have it restored; something I don't have the money or strength to do at this point.

I am both saddened and devastated by this, as I've spent nearly every spare minute (and dollar) restoring my dream car over the past year and the restoration process was nearly complete (save for the paint job).

Those who know me, know how much I really and truly loved this car and to see it go up in flames like that, nearly brought me to tears (I'm getting choked up just typing this). It was like losing a very close friend and the most terrible way imaginable. I would like to think that "he's in a better place now," but that would be me driving him around the streets of Portland, as opposed to a lonely old tow yard in Vancouver. He was such a happy little car and I'm really gonna miss him.

[fig]

Check your fuel lines TODAY!
Replace all rubber fuel lines annually, with high quality replacements.
Ensure the grommet is in place where the metal fuel line goes through the front (FIF) engine tin.
Install a solenoid cut-off at the base of the fuel tank.
Safety wire the fuel line where it enters the carb, to ensure the brass tube doesn't fall out of the carb. (Do the same to your fuel pump if you are using an old-style one). If this tube does come loose, roughen it up before reinserting it with epoxy, and then peen the edges of the hole in the carb with a centre punch.
Keep a minimum 1.5kg dry powder fire extinguisher (or two) in the car at all times, and have it/them serviced annually.

Now you can enjoy your ACVW with peace of mind.

[jolas]

My worst nightmare Thanks Pine and Christian - a good wake up call ...........

Esme, perhaps for the next technical day at Grandslams new place we can go over all of these point that Fig made with Jeurgen, and we can buy the fuel line, grommets, etc from you guys and replace the lot on the same day. A lot of us also have more than 1 car, so we could also buy stock from you guys for the cars at home ? Just a suggestion for the next tech day ?

[riaanj]

That is just soooooooooo sad man..

[alants]

Wow this is sad ......................and my worst night mare !
Thanx for the tips I'm going to go over Bug and Bus's fuel lines this weekend !

[splitfan]

That is sad I noticed over the weekend some piece of stole my fire extinguisher out of my bus !! I hope it fails when your car or house catches fire !!
Its not just the cost of a fire extinguisher but what would have happened if I needed it ?

[slak]

Fire Extinguishers are on special at Home Warehouse at R80 for 1kg bottle with a mounting
bracket if anyone is interested i thought that is nogal a good price
where can u get hold of proper fuel hose ?
the last piese i got from midas was a heap of perished in 2-3 months so i don't think that was
fuel hose at all

[Dawie]

Found that quality of fuel hose can differ like chalk and cheese. Also had what was sold as "fuel hose" from Midas that perished after a few months causing fuel to spray around in the engine compartment. Luckily the ignition cables and fittings were freshly replaced at the time so no sparks were flying around there. Lost half a tank in a few minutes while doing 130 on the highway, think i was very lucky.

Nowadays i do regularly inspect the fuel hoses. Especially before a long trip or after the car was standing for some time.
Usually i let the car idle while i inspect with a light. Also looking underneath car.

Best is to feel if the hose has hardened. This is the giveaway that shows if it is about to fail. Should still feel as soft as the day it was bought. Must say that i once (long ago) found fuel hose (from the agents) that after 10 years of use was still fine and soft. It had "VW-Audi" printed on.

[retrovan]

Due to the importance of the fuel pipes, these must not be got from spares shops, but from Hose & Fittings industrial sales place, these pipes are guaranteed to be able to carry fuel.

May be cheaper,but what about the long run....