Fire coming out of valve cover...
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Fire coming out of valve cover...
First: Total noob question im sure, but no dice searching on yotatech or google. My apologies, but I am in no way mechanically inclined.
Truck is an 87 that I have had for 10 years. 200k miles on rebuilt engine...got stolen a couple times in the city so I have been trying to get her running well after sitting non-op for a couple years.
Just did a desmog (was a CA model), installed a weber 32/36 on a new to me intake manifold, and just got it back from getting my exhaust welded onto a DT header when I noticed fire shooting out of the valve cover. Its coming out of bolt on the driver side, closest to the radiator.
Only seems to happen after the engine gets close to temp. Other than that it seems to run fine. Did notice that my radiator cap needs to be replaced (ie leaking) but that appears to be it.
Any guidance on where to start would be appreciated...or just ridicule me mercilessly while posting the thread where this has already been answered...
Truck is an 87 that I have had for 10 years. 200k miles on rebuilt engine...got stolen a couple times in the city so I have been trying to get her running well after sitting non-op for a couple years.
Just did a desmog (was a CA model), installed a weber 32/36 on a new to me intake manifold, and just got it back from getting my exhaust welded onto a DT header when I noticed fire shooting out of the valve cover. Its coming out of bolt on the driver side, closest to the radiator.
Only seems to happen after the engine gets close to temp. Other than that it seems to run fine. Did notice that my radiator cap needs to be replaced (ie leaking) but that appears to be it.
Any guidance on where to start would be appreciated...or just ridicule me mercilessly while posting the thread where this has already been answered...
#2
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Er and Uh. Holy crap man. Tell me your pulling our collective leg or something!
I'd like to assume you did something wrong on the "desmog". But I can't really.
It's either substancial damage to the head, or something pluged in wrong. start with a compression and leak down test, to rule out valve and head damage. And of course double check everything you just did, including vacuum lines and that stuff.
I'd like to assume you did something wrong on the "desmog". But I can't really.
It's either substancial damage to the head, or something pluged in wrong. start with a compression and leak down test, to rule out valve and head damage. And of course double check everything you just did, including vacuum lines and that stuff.
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Just how do flames shoot out of a bolt??
Even if it is bad valve pushing out during the compression stroke . it could only come out around the 4 bolts holding the valve cover
the oil fill and
the vent and pcv
Along with oil leaking as well
Also a valve that bad would do it all the time
Even if it is bad valve pushing out during the compression stroke . it could only come out around the 4 bolts holding the valve cover
the oil fill and
the vent and pcv
Along with oil leaking as well
Also a valve that bad would do it all the time
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No. Not driving it. Didn't want to be that guy who's engine grenades on the freeway.
Snobdds- I will play around with the carb when i get home and see if adjusting it helps.
More to follow this afternoon. Also, should have been more specific Co 94, it is coming out from around the nut on top that secures the valve cover down. I will post pictures so i can quit confusing people with the incorrect nomenclature.
Again, thanks for all the suggestions.
Last edited by Rgr87; 03-25-2013 at 08:36 AM.
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Update 1: I did dumb. After closer inspection I realized that my original thought that it was a flame was incorrect. Turns out it was just arcing...a lot. Note to self: look twice, and then look again, before posting a thread. Tried to snap a picture of the arc to show how significant it was, especially in my poorly lit garage, but no luck. Would have been helpful for justifying this thread to myself....
However: Still weird because my entire valve cover had a current running through it. Tested my ground where it connected to the firewall and it had a current as well.
So, as a result of getting my stereo jacked, I believe that somewhere behind my dash there must be a hot wire touching the firewall.
Sorry to disappoint those who were curious as to why my valve cover would be breathing fire. I did say I was a noob though, so you had fair warning (you do get a 1 dumb post freebie right?).
After that discovery, my engine did overheat and start throwing up coolant, so I think that the ground issue may be the least of my worries...yay.
However: Still weird because my entire valve cover had a current running through it. Tested my ground where it connected to the firewall and it had a current as well.
So, as a result of getting my stereo jacked, I believe that somewhere behind my dash there must be a hot wire touching the firewall.
Sorry to disappoint those who were curious as to why my valve cover would be breathing fire. I did say I was a noob though, so you had fair warning (you do get a 1 dumb post freebie right?).
After that discovery, my engine did overheat and start throwing up coolant, so I think that the ground issue may be the least of my worries...yay.
Last edited by Rgr87; 03-25-2013 at 04:49 PM.
#16
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Perhaps where you live 12VDC does not arc like people in Florida have right hand drive!!! tell that to people that welded rings or watches to things poking where they did not belong wearing jewelery
But I have to agree spark plug voltage would be much more exciting to see and it would also arc when the plug fires!! Looking like fire shooting out of a bolt
If it was a grounded wire in the cab it would have opened a fuse if not a fusible link
But I have to agree spark plug voltage would be much more exciting to see and it would also arc when the plug fires!! Looking like fire shooting out of a bolt
If it was a grounded wire in the cab it would have opened a fuse if not a fusible link
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Perhaps where you live 12VDC does not arc like people in Florida have right hand drive!!! tell that to people that welded rings or watches to things poking where they did not belong wearing jewelery
But I have to agree spark plug voltage would be much more exciting to see and it would also arc when the plug fires!! Looking like fire shooting out of a bolt
If it was a grounded wire in the cab it would have opened a fuse if not a fusible link
But I have to agree spark plug voltage would be much more exciting to see and it would also arc when the plug fires!! Looking like fire shooting out of a bolt
If it was a grounded wire in the cab it would have opened a fuse if not a fusible link
I checked the spark plug wires and they looked alright. It has to be something from the cab unless you can think of something else that would cause only the firewall to have a current. Checked the fender wells, alternater brackets, etc. etc. Also checked for any random exposed hot wires hanging in the engine bay. No dice.
Last edited by Rgr87; 03-26-2013 at 07:44 AM.
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All new plugs and wires as of last month. Doing the compression test and leak down test (once I find a thread on how) today to see if my HG or a valve is shot. With just a visual inspection oil and coolant appeared normal. Don't see any milk shake or oil in the coolant...yet. Yesterday the truck idled fine, but when I took off the parking brake and put it into gear to move it the truck would heat up and die. Going to ensure that I dont have an air bubble in the cooling system as well. More to follow.
Last edited by Rgr87; 03-26-2013 at 08:22 AM.