FIRE!!!

[Mo Lee]

We changed the clamps a while back - they were the crimp things. HDX put the better ones on when he did the purge valve thing. It was serviced for the 12K and I rode it after that, HDX rode it and it was fine. I went to ride it again for my trip and that's when the leak started. So they were tight when I rode it after my service. Must have come loose or something. I'm just saying things like this should be checked on once in a while.

Also it was in the garage during very hot humid weather - not sure if heat made the hoses contract/expand when we had temperature changes. Who knows.:dontknow:

But when I hear stories about flames on the right side of the Spyder, I think loose clamps or messed up hoses.

The old term Bigger is Better, does not apply to to worm type hose clamps. When you are dealing with small higher pressure rubber hose if the clamp isn't the right size it will have a tendency to clamp in an egg shape (not round) and not hold even pressure all the way around the hose.

 

[Smylinacha]

HDX changed the clamps because he did not trust the oetiker clamps that were stock. Back when he did the canisterectomy, after seeing that some Spyders burnt to the ground, the clamps he put on were sized and installed correctly and they were tight.

I know liquid gas doesn't burn but the vapors do. Where there is liquid gas, vapors are present. Where there is an ignition source with vapors present, that is cause for a fire.

Sorry for the fire for sure!

Get the second update or do the canisterectomy.

While spurting gas is a bad thing--- remember that liquid gas doesn't burn. I've spilled gas plenty on really hot pipes and have NEVER had a fire because of it.

It's that :cus: Cansiter! Remove it and run the vent hose to the back away from any heat!

 

[mxz600]

Very sorry to hear about your Spyder. Just glad you are OK.

 

[SpyderFun]

Everything you said is nice, but it doesn't implicate BRP as being responsible for anything. Just because a bike catches fire doesn't mean it's the manufacturer's fault. Until the reason for the fire is known, it's pointless to speculate. Everyone is always so fast to blame BRP for everything...without any proof.

You are right except motorcycles, automobiles, snowmobiles or any other gas operated machine is not designed to catch on fire during normal use.

The key phrase here is NORMAL USE. Now if a fuel line (as an example) is chewed thru by a mouse, well that isn't something engineers cannot design and take into consideration as "normal use". Additionally, this is not the first and only bike this has happened to.

I can say that as a person with over 25 years experience in aviation as a licensed inspector and operator that if this happened to a specific fleet type aircraft, the FAA would have them grounded world-wide until the cause was found.

Why should we expect LESS from BRP or at the very least, their silence? :dontknow:

Just something I think we all be aware of given the price we paid for these machines.

 

[wyliec]

Just something I think we all be aware of given the price we paid for these machines.

You almost make it sound like BRP should be checking into the causes of the fires based on what we paid for the Spyder. Price should not enter into any safety issues, whether you paid $100 or $20,000.

 

[SpyderFun]

You almost make it sound like BRP should be checking into the causes of the fires based on what we paid for the Spyder. Price should not enter into any safety issues, whether you paid $100 or $20,000.

:agree:

The point I was making is for the price I think we should expect that the mfg would handle this in a more professional manner by at least stating that all of these occurrences are under their investigation.

I bet we eventually see a Service Bulletin over it!

 

[SpyderWolf]

I bet we eventually see a Service Bulletin over it!

Many of us think we already have, and it is the vent tubing extension update. Only time will tell for sure though, unless BRP does decide to make a public statement about it.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:wrong: That's a pretty scary video!

I was also able to see the video now. All of that was caused by just a loose clamp? :yikes:

 

[Smylinacha]

Yes, that was from a loose clamp. So all I am saying is do some pre-ride inspections here and there.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Yes, that was from a loose clamp. So all I am saying is do some pre-ride inspections here and there.

Thanks!

 

[Firefly]

The various changes brp made during the updates being directly related to the fires has not been verified. While it sound probable.... We just are not sure. I blame the canister for the source .... But not sure about ignition source...... But I highly doubt it's the hot pipes---- more likely a spark.

I don't believe fumes can ignite from a simple heat source like the pipes----- they would have to be basically be red hot.

As stated once before----- you can literally boil gas on an electric stove.

The stupid canister is storing fumes---- and somehow released to an ignition source.

That's my theory and I'm sticking to it

 

[Smylinacha]

Well rode mine today and no problems. A little on the humid side but not hot out. But they are doing some road construction on the streets I take home from a ride and it was pretty bumpy for the entire ride on those streets. So no doubt I'll be making sure things stayed tight on the Spyder before I go out the next time. But the faster you go on the bumpy roads, the better, seems to just fly over most of the bumps and potholes.

 

[mc2276]

Well, 4 weeks and still no word as the cause of the fire and no idea how much longer I will be without my motorcycle. :gaah: Not sure who is to blame for it taking this long, dealership or BRP, but both are making me lose my patience. All I wanted to do upon return from deployment, was to ride. It has been a month and still no ryding. :cus: I am not happy at all.

 

[NancysToy]

Well, 4 weeks and still no word as the cause of the fire and no idea how much longer I will be without my motorcycle. :gaah: Not sure who is to blame for it taking this long, dealership or BRP, but both are making me lose my patience. All I wanted to do upon return from deployment, was to ride. It has been a month and still no ryding. :cus: I am not happy at all.

What does your insurance company say? This is not a warranty issue, it is an insurance claim. It sounds like your dealer and the insurance company are not working well together. I'd call my insurance agent pronto...and again daily if necessary!

 

[tweeder]

Make sure you report it to the NHSTA, that way there's a running tab on these fireballs.

 

[Neez]

OK, I'm on break at work and our puters load things differently (not as good) as my laptop at home. I took a short Youtube video of it to show where the gas came out. I never took it on the trip cuz we didn't have time to pull the panels off and investigate it since we were running late. But it turned out to be a loose clamp - HDX took the panel off and found it and tightened up the clamps. Took this little video when we got back from our trip once we had time to look at it. Those clamps on the hoses where it connects to the fuel filter is what was loose. I believe it was the one on the right. Something that should be checked periodically I guess.

So here's the link (which I had to take off my Youtube account from my Droid since work doesn't let me on Youtube, email it to myself and stick it in here) Phew! :2thumbs:

Let me know if you can see it or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAKmN-rkuuo&feature=youtube_gdata

Smilin', I see the video OK. I notice the leaking clamps are screw-types, not the original Oetickers. Did the original clamps leak as well?

 

[SpyderWolf]

Well, 4 weeks and still no word as the cause of the fire and no idea how much longer I will be without my motorcycle. :gaah: Not sure who is to blame for it taking this long, dealership or BRP, but both are making me lose my patience. All I wanted to do upon return from deployment, was to ride. It has been a month and still no ryding. :cus: I am not happy at all.

Definitely an insurance issue, and they should be working hard to get it taken care of for you as quickly as possible. If they are not, then it is time to light a fire under your agents rear end.

 

[irish2themax]

Mine sprayed out gas like a garden hose right when I was supposed to leave for a trip. Turned out to be a loose clamp on the fuel hose that connects to the fuel filter.

Same thing happened on mine...banjo clip failed

As a Navy retiree I'd like to thank you for your service mc2276

 

[mc2276]

Well, called the insurance today. The dealership still has not given them the estimate. WTH!!!!

 

[RoadHammer]

yikes another fire, glad your ok:2thumbs: