My LS is Toast!!!
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
I do still have them. Like I said the price is $30 plus the cost of shipping. If you give me an address I can check on shipping costs. I don't have bulbs for the lights so you're on your own for those. Let me know if you want them. Why can't you get PMs?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
So I'm really wondering what might have caused this fire. I don't think the insurance company is bothering to find the exact cause. It seems that it started in the area of the PCV valve. I had just changed that about a week prior. The PCV valve was dripping fuel when I changed it (is it supposed to do that?). I know that there was gas leaking before the car combusted. I could smell fumes coming in through the ventilation system. The car was dripping fire, not sure if that was plastic or gas or oil. Anyone with any ideas, please let me know. I believe the car's EGR pipe also needed replacing. Tell me what you guys think.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
For future reference I dont think the EGR would cause a fire. Sounds like you had been smelling gas, which makes me think it was a gas leak that caused this. A co-worker had a 1993 Chrysler New Yorker. I parked next to him for years. For a year when I would get out of my car, I would smell gas... coming from his car. One day he told he the engine burnt up. I wonder why. 
Some cars, the way the engines are designed, even the slightest gas leaking can cause a fire... depending on how the gas lines run and how close they are to hot engine parts. Some cars have certain designs that really dont pose an issue. I know on my old Mercedes with the inline 6, the manifold is only on the passenger side, while the fuel system is strictly on the driverside. I think if there was even a steady stream of gas from my fuel lines, it would be OK, because that side of the engine stays cool... still dont want gas leaking though. lol
I know this is an older thread, I was searching EGR info and ran across this. I am sure you are enjoying your new Lexus, or by now maybe even another car.
Some cars, the way the engines are designed, even the slightest gas leaking can cause a fire... depending on how the gas lines run and how close they are to hot engine parts. Some cars have certain designs that really dont pose an issue. I know on my old Mercedes with the inline 6, the manifold is only on the passenger side, while the fuel system is strictly on the driverside. I think if there was even a steady stream of gas from my fuel lines, it would be OK, because that side of the engine stays cool... still dont want gas leaking though. lol
I know this is an older thread, I was searching EGR info and ran across this. I am sure you are enjoying your new Lexus, or by now maybe even another car.
Last edited by 91LS400LEX; Dec 29, 2009 at 03:51 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 479
Likes: 96
From: Sydney
Wow thats pretty bad. What usually happens is the one of the ignition coils dies and fuel would be pouring into and out of the cylinders without being ignited.
The fuel goes directly to the cat converter and they will glow cherry red. If you continue to drive the car like this the cat converter normally dies and worse case catches on fire.
Sorry to see it go up in smoke!!
The fuel goes directly to the cat converter and they will glow cherry red. If you continue to drive the car like this the cat converter normally dies and worse case catches on fire.
Sorry to see it go up in smoke!!
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Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
lol. Yeah, I mentioned it was an older thread, but there were some important unanswered questions on the last post. Just wanted to add.
What was even more odd is that this blaze occured on a 9 year old (at the time) LS400 with low mileage. Mine is almost 20 years old now and I havent smelled any fuel under the hood...cant say the same for oil, as my valve cover gaskets are leaking a little.
Engine fires on LS400's are rare.... unlike Jaguars, Range Rovers and Porsches.
2002 dont seem like that long ago, but gee, that was 8 years ago. Where does the time go? :/
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
Yep. This is only the 2nd Lexus I have seen with an engine fire! The other one had caught fire around the alternator area... probably from PS fluid dripping in it. 
Wow thats pretty bad. What usually happens is the one of the ignition coils dies and fuel would be pouring into and out of the cylinders without being ignited.
The fuel goes directly to the cat converter and they will glow cherry red. If you continue to drive the car like this the cat converter normally dies and worse case catches on fire.
Sorry to see it go up in smoke!!
The fuel goes directly to the cat converter and they will glow cherry red. If you continue to drive the car like this the cat converter normally dies and worse case catches on fire.
Sorry to see it go up in smoke!!
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