MX-5 OC Forum

Guys today my beloved Eunos 1993 S Special went up in ball of flames!  A fuel pipe in the engine bay ruptured at 65mph on a dual carriage way sending fuel all over engine. The car was destroyed by fire in less than 4 minutes.  The fire brigade told me that I am the second Eunos to meet the same fate in Tyne and Wear this year.  Please check you fuel lines into the injector rail.  I am very lucky to walk away from this, I dont want others suffering the same fate.  Please double check all fuel lines, my car is well maintained and I never saw this coming.  Pictures of what is left of my little car will follow!

Holy Moly! Glad you are ok!

Not wishing to rub salt in the wounds but any chance of a pic from the point of origin of the problem for all the dullards like me that don't know where you mean please?

Glad your ok, nasty fright...

 Of course as soon as I get a copy of the photographs from the fire service on monday I will post copies so you know exactly which ones failed.  Its not rubbing salt into wounds dont worry.  I more concerned about people getting hurt, my car is insured so will get replaced. 

 Two questions if I may, how old was your car and how many miles had it been driven please? 

 My car was a 1993 L reg with 121,000 kms around 76, 000 miles

Here is what is left of it

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww18/ccflyguy/MX5.jpg

Before

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww18/ccflyguy/MX5before.jpg

Crikey (not the words I've just blurted out loud in front of Mrs E) mate, I'm gutted for your loss but boy, what a lucky escape.

I've just checked the pressure in my fire extinguisher in the boot but not sure it would have done much against that inferno.

Good luck with the insurance, and hope you'll be soft-topping again soon.

It went bang then flames all over the place!  Needed fresh pair when I got out ha ha!  yes lets hope insurance sorts it out quickly, will get another as soon as. Thanks for you kind words.

Really sorry to hear this, your car was smart.

Thanks for the posting.

Was it FI or standard?

 Blimey, mine is a 1992 with about 140,000Km on the clock. Come Monday thats something I am going to look at and probably change as preventative maintenance.

Pleased to know you are ok, when all is said and done a car is easily replaced, you aren't. Best of luck with the insurance people. Please let us all know how you get on with them and getting yourself a new car.

I suppose we could do with some pics and what exactly to look for - and how to spot if it's a risk.

Anyone got any ideas? - that doesn't involve tinkering with the fuel lines.

 hi all,

When I get the photos from the fire brigade I will post them for you all.  From what I can gather the rupture was in or around the area of the inlet manifold.  Thats all the info the fire brigade gave other than it was ruptured fuel pipe that caused the fireball.  Car just been serviced and fuel pipes or hoses not been tampered with.  Will update you with info as I have it.  Oh mine was MK1 1.6 S Special FI if your wondering.  Both my son and I are fine and yes cars can be replaced thank you for good wishes.  Please just give your vehicles a good VISUAL check only to look for cracks or snags.

Thanks

PS IF YOU DON'T  WANT A CAR LIKE MINE- PLEASE DO NOT START CHANGING OR REMOVING FUEL LINES, THE FUEL LINES ARE PRESSURISED AND SERIOUS HARM CAN OCCUR! 

This is a new one. I've checked miataforum, which I consider the largest technical repository of MX5 faults (Miatas, MX5s and Roadsters should be identical as far as fuel lines etc go). There doesn't seem to be any reports of fires due to leaking fuel lines.

Heres a description of the fuel lines in the engine bay:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=304161&highlight=fire+gasoline

Even when there is a huge leak onto an exhaust, the fuel is difficult to ignite:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=207482&highlight=engine+fire+gas

Obviously, we ned to see the technical report from the Fire Brigade; is it worth getting someone from Mazda UK to look at the car.

Because this is so an unusual occurence, I can only conclude that:

1. This was an unlucky, one-off occurence

2. This is an age-related failure. This does seem unlikely though. Yours is not the oldest MX5 around by any means.

3. This is a problem peculiar to Roadster imports. Roadsters use identical fuel system parts to UK cars, and very similar materials to most Japanese cars. Therefore, possibly a deteriotation in seals during shipping. This not only a concern to owners, Mazda, but also VOSA, who regulate the importation of non-EU cars.

Hi saz

I contacted mazda uk earlier on today, same feeling as yourself  would be good for them to take a look just to ensure its a one off and i've been unlucky.  As you may be aware they only operate Mon-Fri so left a message.  I have owned several MX5 and Eunos Roadsters and I agree first time I have ever heard of this.  The fire brigade do have photographs of the rupture and will email me the report once completed.  I will send you a copy once I have it if you like.

As you can see the heat was so intense that it melted the bonnet and crankshaft cover. I am hoping it is a one off as we all know MX5/Eunos are pretty bullet proof.  Had checked the oil and water this morning and no smell of fuel.  Vehicle is garaged and no leakage anywhere.  Looks like a sudden failure as big bang, loss of power and brakes. (obviously engine had stopped) Then the fireball.

Its a good idea to be vigilant until its proven its a one off.

Thanks for the advice.

 Oh my god!  How dangerous is that.  My mx 5 had no fuel filter so I had one fitted.  the lines had been tampered with too.  I think I will get mine checked too.  This scares me a lot.  I have my daughter ride in mine and mine has done over £140,000km so far.  Its a 1993 Eunos.