93 850 glt Air box caught on fire while driving.

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 07 Apr 2014, 08:47

To all
Wonder if any one ever had this problem, my air box caught on fire as i was driving on the Washington DC belt way at speed. The car was making a sound something like electric arcing in the cabin for a hour or so. (thought it was the steering wheel just needing oil). Then the motor stalled, I tried to restart it but no good. So I pulled over to the side after stopping I saw smoke from the hood. I got out open the hood to see the air box smoking a lot from the plastic tubing that connect it to the intake had a big hole melted in it. So i opened the air box to see why it was smoking and that is when I found out that my air filter was burning. I pulled the filter out and let it burn on the road. Then I check the car for oil and it was ok. Nothing else I could see was damaged. I had my car towed to a repair shop and now I am waiting to here what they have to say. I am wondering if any one else has ever had this problem? This is a first for me with any type of car.

Frank

Post by **rspi** » 07 Apr 2014, 09:02

If it was the bottom of the air box area burnt, it may have been that valve on the bottom shorted out, if on the top of the air box it may have been the MAF. Hopefully the bottom of the box. You should be able to get a used box from a salvage yard. Very rare problem.

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 07 Apr 2014, 10:04

Sad to say it is the top half that is partly melted and the tubing that goes to the intake is melted. I am wondering if the injectors could be damage or were leaking to cause this. As of now i am looking at a new or used upper box, mass air meter and the tubing to the intake. Maybe the injectors too? Could the hot air and smoke cause any other damage to the car besides what is already stated?

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Apr 2014, 10:17

The MAF sensor has a platinum wire that heats up to very high temps.

I don't know what would get on it to catch it on fire though...you didn't by chance have an oiled K&N air filter?

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 07 Apr 2014, 11:04

No, I only had a paper air filter.

I am wondering if the injectors could have been leaking some or putting too much gas in the intake could have caused this? (just mind storming here)

Post by **rspi** » 07 Apr 2014, 13:06

I highly doubt that.

Is the wiring going to the MAF damaged? I also doubt that anything damaged the intake. If the fire would have gotten past the throttle body, I think you would have had a bigger fire.

Check to see if the throttle body is damaged. I believe they have a special coating on them that may have gotten burned off.

If you need help getting an air box let me know. We have a couple in the salvage yard here.

Post by **jose456891** » 07 Apr 2014, 20:05

Do you use starter fluid?

Around DC the best places to go is Brandy-Wine Used parts, and Crazy Ray's.

I would go toy Crazy Ray's as their prices are rock bottom. The caveat is that they have no warranty.