Tough border crossing today, Tuesday

sch911 wrote:
From the video it really looks like the truck caught on fire first, then the TT.

Now you got my inner detective engaged. From the video it is apparent there was intense heat under the hood, the inner cab was engulfed in flames. Now the propane bottles are intact, so how did the fire sprayed to the TT? Had it been a fifth wheeler with the fifth wheeler cab part two feet away, then there would have been grounds for a possible scenario.

I'm sure it took a while for fire trucks to reach the truck on the very crowded bridge with customs backups on both ends.

Just wondering why they waited such a long while before spraying the water on??

RAS43 wrote:
I have to say that after 44+ years as a fleet mechanic I have not seen a turbo catch fire. There isn't anything to burn except aluminum if something else got it hot enough. It could have been the oil line to the turbo or a fuel line breaking and spraying over the engine and that caused a fire. Or an electrical short. Just saying.

But if it was an automatic and overheated the tranny, the boiling fluid spewing out the dipstick tube and onto the exhaust would light it up pronto!

I've seen several of those happen.

My contact told me it was already fully involved when she got to work but was on the screen..She will check with the earlier shift to see if anyone knows more.

Our department is not handling so she will not see the report.

And my contact in the Fire Dept.. alas..Is no more (Deceased).

DRSMPS wrote:
They are speculating the possible cause of the fire was from a malfunctioning performance chip on the diesel which caused the turbo to catch fire in the engine compartment.

Exactly what happened to my friends truck. Insurance wouldn't pay for it either because of the mod. I think he fought with Hypertech about it for a while. Ended up getting a Tacoma after that!

RAS43 wrote:
I have to say that after 44+ years as a fleet mechanic I have not seen a turbo catch fire. There isn't anything to burn except aluminum if something else got it hot enough. It could have been the oil line to the turbo or a fuel line breaking and spraying over the engine and that caused a fire. Or an electrical short. Just saying.

That is what I thought. Oil line or even electrical. There was also a TSB on the insulation on some falling off the hood presenting a fire risk. (cannot remember which model or year)

I have to say that after 44+ years as a fleet mechanic I have not seen a turbo catch fire. There isn't anything to burn except aluminum if something else got it hot enough. It could have been the oil line to the turbo or a fuel line breaking and spraying over the engine and that caused a fire. Or an electrical short. Just saying.

I have a friend who is a Windsor fire fighter. They said the fire started with the truck and spread to the trailer. They are speculating the possible cause of the fire was from a malfunctioning performance chip on the diesel which caused the turbo to catch fire in the engine compartment. I feel for the owner. Hopefully their insurance is sufficient to cover the emergency services, tow services and environmental cleanup to the river for the diesel spilled below. Not to mention the privately owned bridge repairs if needed.

At the beginning the truck already looks burnt up so it could have started there and the trailer went up as the truck was being put out. Possible...