Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Porsche > 914
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 08-08-2004, 12:48 PM   #1
Willskyline
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 40
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Willskyline
flammable 'fourteens'

Although they don't rival the late Ford Pinto as incendiary devices, 914s do seem to have slightly higher propensity for fires than other cars. Part of the problem is that they are around 25 years old and things like rubber and plastic fuel lines tend to decay and leak over the years. Having a battery perched on a tray hovering over the engine and a high pressure (about 28.5 psi) fuel systtem adds more volatility to the situation. Some cars were also delivered with faulty fuel lines when new. Porsche issued a safty recal on these cars but who knows how many of these cars were ever brought in to be repaired. It may not be a bad idea to check your car's VIN with the list that your local dealer should be able to access to see if your car qualifies for this fix.
When replacing the fuel lines in your car, it's important to use the high quality materials. Redoing the plastic lines that run through the car with stainless steel lines is an upgrade that can be carried over to the engine compartment. Make sure that whatever hose you buy can handle the high pressure of the fuel injection. It's a good idea to disconnect the battery for safety's sake when working with fuel lines.
Rebuttle?
Willskyline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2004, 06:59 PM   #2
83-944
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sebring, Florida
Posts: 428
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: flammable 'fourteens'

No rebuttal here. When we were restoring my fathers 74 914, we had to do a LOT of interior rewelding, not knowing that there were plastic fuel lines running through the tunnel hump. When we first tested the engine with fuel injection, we got gallons of fuel pouring out of the interior. (we moved the fuel pump/filter to under the tank as was done in 75-76). After a lot of four letter words, we ran 2 3/8" copper lines under the car inside the rocker panel cover. That was 10 years ago and to this day, they are still holding up fine.
__________________
83 - Porsche 944 - daily driver
62 - VW Karmann Ghia - never ending restoration project
95 - Ford Mustang - wifes
83-944 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2004, 07:01 PM   #3
83-944
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sebring, Florida
Posts: 428
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: flammable 'fourteens'

Oh, and the battery was moved to the rear trunk, it got it out of the hotter engine bay and out of the rain.
__________________
83 - Porsche 944 - daily driver
62 - VW Karmann Ghia - never ending restoration project
95 - Ford Mustang - wifes
83-944 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2005, 11:48 AM   #4
mjohn
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: bock
Posts: 253
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: flammable 'fourteens'

I owned a 1971 914 and goes what...shortly after I sold it to a good friend... It caught fire and burned... totally... :o(
mjohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2005, 02:11 PM   #5
Willskyline
AF Newbie
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 40
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Willskyline
Re: flammable 'fourteens'

83, the copper lines will last quite a while if well amintained. Good work.
Willskyline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2005, 03:57 PM   #6
Dfisher40
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Posts: 21
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
All,
The main reason these babies burn is the battery acid dripping down on the injector lines. When the lines are compromised the fuel sprays onto a hot motor and Kaboom! If fuel dripped, it would be more likely to runoff the motor. But when it sprays, it turns to a gas and is extremely prone to violent combustion. Fuel leaking under the car and not on the motor is dangerous but much less dangerous than leaking on the exhaust. We would create a battery box out of fiberglass to prevent this drainage of acid into the engine compartment. I believe you can buy battery boxes from the hot rod parts distributors today.
Consider it,
Dave
Dfisher40 is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Porsche > 914

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:35 PM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts