Maintenance - How to Reduce Engine Fires: Overview
89pontiac25Bulletin Number: 88-0-6
Reference Number: 980116
Publish Date: 12/89
Subject:
SERVICE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
Models
Affected: 1984-88 FIERO MODELS
Pontiac Division of General Motors has recently sent booklets to owners of 1984 thru 1988 2.5L 4 cylinder Fieros. The purpose of this unprecedented move is in the opening statement. "Dear Fiero Owner: This booklet contains important maintenance and service information. Proper maintenance and service is very important for your Fiero. There have been engine fires in some Fieros - fires that have destroyed the cars - because they didn't get proper maintenance and service. Although we are aware of engine fires in fewer than one percent of 1984 Fieros, it is important and we want you to know what should be done."
This bulletin has been prepared so that you are better informed on how to properly service these cars. Containment of fuels is the key concern in this program. Everyone realizes how highly flammable gasoline is, but there are other combustible materials on todays modern automobiles. These include windshield washer fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, ethylene glycol or coolant, wires, wiring conduit, spark plug cables and plastic components.
The three ingredients needed for a fire are oxygen, fuel and heat. Oxygen is readily available in the air, and we have just listed numerous combustible items in the engine's environment, the only other ingredient is a heat source. The exhaust manifold is such a source. With the hood closed and the car traveling down the road under a load, the exhaust manifold can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to ignite many of the combustibles in the engine compartment.
When a customer comes to you for service, they are depending on your expertise to maintain their car. Proper repairs and good maintenance will keep these combustibles away from the source of heat. That's something all service technicians should be trained to do - to keep combustible and flammable materials contained in their systems.