1969 vw bug defective fuel pump fire?

[J.montalvo94]

New to the site not to sure if this is where I would post or not I have a 1969 vw bug with a 1915cc engine I installed an autozone mechanical fuel pump a couple months back which is still under warranty anyways I was driving Saturday night turned the corner my car shut off and caught up in flames not sure if anyone has seen this before or not but everyone says it's due to fuel filters bad lines leaking carb etc but haven't seen any from a fuel pump I believe I received a defective fuel pump one of the metal lines coming out of the fuel pump where the gas hose clamps on to completely came out of the fuel pump I'm guessing which caused the fire any help would be appreciated thank you

[56Cabrio]

That's pretty common, that's why it's a good idea to put safety wire on those pressed fittings. Something like the carb in the pic.
Pic from Cusser.

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[J.montalvo94]

Alright because I was going to see about putting a claim against autozone due to the fuel pump causing the fire and being under warranty just not sure if they would pay for the damage or not

[wcfvw69]

[wcfvw69]

http://www.airtexproducts.com/

Here's their website. You should contact them and link this thread. It's BS that companies get away with selling known, poor quality parts, especially ones that will burn your car to the ground.
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[vwinnovator]

that's a tough call..

User installed opens up a lot of outs...

You would have to be able to prove correct installation, most likely from a "certified" technician, as well as prove the fire originated as a result of the fitting coming out.

from a defense side, I would argue that the fire could have originated elsewhere, heating up the softer metal that allowed the fitting to loose it's press fit and "fall" out.

fuel spraying on distributor is what usually ignites a fire. anything above the distributor could be pointed to as the cause.

even if the fitting blew out and pumped fuel at the distributor, the fire damage will mask the truth...

sorry for your loss.
good luck with your attempts.

Won't your std car Ins. cover it??

[Bob Loblaw]

Generally speaking, a manufacturers warranty will cover the replacement of the part, but no consequential damage.
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[Cusser]

Actually, that is Glenn's photo. I also use safety wires since the mid-1970s, maybe pre-dating Glenn's, but Glenn does it way neater than I do.

Unfortunately, cost of engine/VW repair would likely be too small potatoes for a lawyer, who will likely charge $300 or more per "hour". But it wouldn't hurt for you to explore AutoZone/Airtek to cover repair costs through their insurance.
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[J.montalvo94]

Thank you everyone man that really sucks kinda looks like I'll have to pay out of my pocket for the repairs but I guess it won't hurt to try putting in a claim

[blue72beetle]

Trailer the car to Autozone's parking lot with a sign over the fire damage that says "Get in the Zone! Quality Parts Sold Here"
See how long before they change their tune.





..... or until they call the police.
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[J.montalvo94]

that sounds like a good idea lol make them look bad guess I can give it a try (:

[andk5591]

All it will take is a lawyer to do a search for "VW beetle engine fire" and they will probably have 100 pics with the usual "why". You can attempt to get some resolution, but I dont know how much time and effort I would put into it on your own. You may get something out of it, but realistically, you screwed up somewhere. I do feel for you and I have a 74 beetle that suffered the same fate by one of the previous owners.

BUT have you talked to your insurance agent? You should. Did some real quick research for you. And if they feel the part was the issue, let them go after the parts store.

Forget which site this was from

[Q-Dog]

Go back and look at Glenn's photo with the safety wire. See the gap between the hose and the carb body? That is just as important as the safety wire.

Some guys shove that hose on all the way until it bottoms out, then they crank down the hose clamp until they cant go any more. This squeezes the hose out around the clamp, and pushes against the carb (or pump) body and will pull the nipple loose.
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[mark tucker]

dont forget autoshacks facebook page!!!!!

[modok]

[andk5591]

Still goes back to "was it the pump?" Have not seen anything that tells me that conclusively.
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