Just had a small fire under hood, above driver's side wheel. 98 degree day, some traffic driving. Noticed smoke after I had parked for 5 minutes, smoldering fire in the plastic wheel well liner - really appeared that the plastic ignited. And of course the fire lasted just long enough to discolor my paint...

Car runs fine, and yes I now have a fire extinguisher in the passenger seat. Noticed inside the fender, above the wheel well liner, there was a knotted tube, like a 1/4"+ vacuum tube.

Is this vacuum tube supposed to be knotted - anyone ?? Anyone have similar experiences? Any suggestions?

Could this have been someone's smoldering cigarette kicked up into my plastic liner?

Jersey jeff

Sounds like you ran over a patch of napalm.

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Earl



1993 190E 2.3
2000 Toyota 4x4 Tundra

Sounds more like a sticky caliper getting way too hot.

No, there isn't supposed to be a knotted line in there, I'd guess it is distorted from the heat.

You will need to check out all the plastic vac lines in the area, get the brakes checked (you may have a "one-way-valve" in the brake line from separated lining -- works fine to transmit pressure to the caliper, but won't let go!

Replace anything damaged by heat, and you will need to get the fender repainted -- if the paint is discolored, bet on it failing soon. Get the bottom side undercoated at the same time to prevent rust.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

You guys are great. I do have a sticky caliper and for sure it probably is just the front left.

I'll lookup caliper rebuilt here and get more into. Thanks.

Jeff