Archived FIRE! Firewall blanket started on fire.

[SummitRoofs]

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem or how common this may be? or if I possibly have a problem I need to correct? (other than a lead foot)



After pulling a long grade (the winchester grade approx. 15-20 miles, out of Lewiston, Id) with an approx 12,000 lb load the firewall blanket started on fire. As i reached the top of the grade i started smelling an awful smell. After pulling over I still was not sure it was me until i lifted the hood and smoke rolled out. The blanket that i thought was noncombustible was actually flaming. It took some doing and i burned myself in the process but i was able to pull the fire blanket out and save the truck.



I was watching my egt's and kept the exhaust temp mostly between 1100 - 1300 at the manifold. I have a 97 dodge with a banks powerpack that is missing a firewall blanket and a few wires of undetermined value.



Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Missouri Mule]

JLaufenberg,

How about an open wire (with juice) on firewall or the cowl above it(making contact with blanket)?



Defective blanket that isn't fire retardent or can't take the heat ?

 

[illflem]

I would think the blanket would be fire proof. Sure it wasn't covered with oil?

 

[SummitRoofs]

That's a good thought. It is a 97. So 5 years and 100,000 miles and one leaky front main seal that was recently replaced. I am sure there was some oil on or in it.



Even so I understand everything has a burning or combustible point.



Even with this it still surprised me.



Has anybody else had this happen? Was wondering if this is at all common with heavy pulling for and extended period of time.

 

[SummitRoofs]

Missouri Mule.

That is possible. but this happened immediately at the end of a long hard pull making me think it was egt temp related. anyway if it was a wire in the vicinity that was the problem, i will probably never know as the wires near the blanket are all crispy now.

thanks for your thoughts

Jim

 

[moparguy]

Hope the burns aren't to bad. I carry a halogen gas extinguisher hi my truck just for this kinda thing.



Also, it's what you need if the turbo ever starts pulling oil past a seal and you have a run-a-way. Just aim the extinguisher at the air intake and the lack of oxygen will shut the engine down.



RJR

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

In the 97 tme period some blankets were cotton (?) based instead of fiberglass. There was a recall to replace them, if I remember correctly.

 

[SummitRoofs]

After reading what you said about the blanket possibly being cotton, i looked at the remaining pieces of blanket. I believe you are correct. It looks like it could be cotton or some kind of treated wool fibers, however i know it is not fiberglass.

Thanks for your input. I will check with my dealer for a possible recall that has not been satisfied. Hey, do you think they replace the wires on the recall too!

 

[Deezul1]

Check dave Fritz,s web page for recalls and also the TDR TSBs, I believe there is a recall on that stuff but not sure what year

 

[Bug Out]

Winchester grade????

I came down that grade many years ago with a light weight 5th behind me. . (Z71 GMC 1/2 ton)



I thought it was the "White Bird" grade...



Whichever it was, I was amazed that trucks etc could go down or up at all without losing their brakes!!! It seemed as if the hill never ended. . LOL



I was new at RVing then, but it doesn't suprise me that a lot of heat developed, as if my memory serves me correct, thats one long uphill or down hill, whichever way your going. .

 

[dsldoug]

jlaufenburg:



there was definitely a recall on firewall blankets for some '96, and some early '97.



the fix was kind of mickey mouse though you cut off about half of the blanket and install a heat shield on the exhaust.

but when the truck had already burned we had to install a new blanket, wiring harness, and anything else that was damaged

good luck



-Doug

 

[jsnyder]

Winchester is the grade you pull going south out of Lewiston. White Bird is the hill where you drop into the Salmon. Both of them are darned good pulls.



Jason

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Check the exhaust manifold bolts on the rear most cylinder. They have a tendency to loosen up and you could have an exhaust leak that is blowing hot exhaust towards the blanket.

 

[LarryG]

... . this is defininately not a problem on the new trucks since Chrysler eliminated the source of the problem!

 

[SummitRoofs]

Thanks for all of your help! I will be taking the truck in to get fixed this week and will post on what success i have on the dealership taking care of this on the recall. I will have the dealer check the head bolts. The truck still runs but a few things are not working like 4-wheel drive. i believe it torched the vacumn lines.



Yes, the Winchester Grade runs south out of Lewiston, starting about Lapwai and climbs until about the winchester lake turn off. And the White Bird Grade starts about 7 miles south of Grangeville and does drop on down to the salmon river at White Bird.

 

[SummitRoofs]

I went to my dealership here in Boise. I found out that there was a recall. The recall # was 773 and was called "Dash Pad and Heat Shield"



I bought the truck used in 99 and Dodge had records that said this recall was already performed in 98.



It seams to me that Dodge recognized that there is a possible problem and their recall fix was not thorough enough.



Does any body have information on this recall or can direct me where to find it. I am interested to see if this recall was performed completely. -or- What Dodge may be willing to do in this situation.



Thanks for any additional help!

 

[Bug Out]

Found out myself today

I changed out my 3" stock exhuast this weekend and found the heatshield/blanket was fried pretty good. The 3" was 1/2 to 3/4" away. The 4" is even closer to the firewall/heatshield.



I called Dodge today and asked about buying a new one. The guy asked why I was changing it and I told him the old was burnt.



I overheard the other parts guy tell him, "Oh, does he tow? he asked me and I told him yes. Then the other parts guy said they had an "updated/revised one" for the CTD.



I now know why they made an updated one. 1200 degrees within a 1/2" a alot of heat.



needless to say, I ordered one which was not cheap.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by moparguy

Hope the burns aren't to bad. I carry a halogen gas extinguisher hi my truck just for this kinda thing.

Don't you mean "halon" fire extguisher??

 

[SummitRoofs]

Bug Out



approx. how much for the updated heat shield?

 

[Bug Out]

More then I wanted to spend ,but

$140+ tax and the clips that hold it on