So, I finally get the Anti Freeze leak fixed and I take the Car to Work. I drive 35 Miles No Problem. After Work, I had to go to the Park and I started Smelling Paper Burn Smell. Not sure what it was, so After 2 Minute of Driving Up Hill, I made it to the Park. Smoke started coming out of the sides. Burning PAPER SMELL. At First I thought it was Brake Shoes, but when I popped the Hood, it was coming from Area around CAT Converter.

So the Intensity of the Smoke was getting denser. I quickly jacked up the Car with Audi Jack and Noticed Ashes Falling from the area Between Cat to Flex Coupling Area. I saw Smoldering Amber. I spilled Some Water On it and it simply was not going Away. By Now, since I was close to the Police Station, A show started. Bunch of Happy Smiling Fire Men Showed up with their Fire Trucks and Put the Fire out Smold out for me. I was Glad that they Came Quick. Amazing Guys.

So, No Electrical Shorts that I noticed while I driving.

My First Guess is that The Fibe Glass Behind the Shield was soaked in Oil from Normal Oil Leaks from Old Transmission cooler leak and Valve Cover.

Then the Next thing, Was that I used Castrol Engine Cleaner the Day before in that area but I remember washing it down.

A. I can not drive my Audi Now.
B. Is this a Common Problem? And if it is, what caused this?
C. All the Heat Shileds were still there.
D. Does Transmission Oil have Lower Flash Point than Motor Oil and it simply gave in to the Heat.?
E. Was there a Recall on this and I missed it?
F. How do you change all that Shielding? Do they even sell it? How Much am I looking into this.
G. Has anyone experience this? And If YES, what did they do to fix it.

Luckily, The Fire was Caught Early. Any information would be appriciated.

 

Nothing like a good power wash in your engine bay!!
Ouch!

 

it's not a common problem. why can't you drive the car? what got burnt?

 

I can't drive because A. I don't know why the Fire started in the First Place. B. My Entire Engine Compartment was washed by the Fire Dept. So I have to check everything.


The Best Theory someone told me is that the Turbo Oil Seal Gave in, and Set the Cat on fire inside. That caused the Cat to be blocked and then overheat to a point that everything on the outside cught on fire to the heat. Since there was Oil Soaked Head Shield from Valve Cover Leak and Old transmission cooler leak, It ignited. This Enitre Event occured lest than 5 Minutes of Driving from point A to B.


So, the question now is, how can you tell if the Turbo Oil Seal leaked. I am going to take my Cat apart just to see if it blocked or not.

 

if your turbo oil seal took a **** you would see a lot of oil in your IC and you would see a lot of oil in your turbo. i highly doubt it's the seal though. you would've notice a significant power loss.

i'd check everything in the engine compartment first and see if the car starts and keep an fire extinguisher close by

 

This has happened to me before, but it was a vacuum hose that i forgot to put back on sitting on my cat. But I poured a coupe of cups of water on it and it went out..

 

Today, I finally have some Time to lift the Car up and get under the car and See how bad was the damage. Either way I have to fix the Damage. My only Car. It just smells like Burned Paper. Perhaps I have to put some cologne.

 

Maybe you just ran over something like a paper bag on the road and it got stuck on your cat and caught on fire.

 

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Today, I lifted the Car up for the First time and I saw the mini damage. After the Fire department Wash, I started the car today with no problems. That was good news.

Then I went to see the Damage under the Car and I did not like what I saw. Basically, From Cat Back was were the Smoldering had occured. All the Insulation behind the Shield had burned away. I think the Source of the ignition was Exahust pipe touching the shield. It had broken away from its place. And the Valve Cover Leak over the years had soaked the Fiber Glass behind it and dried up over the hears. Perfect Fuel Source. Carbon is a Good Fuel Source.

So I was you guys, I would go under the Car and make sure the Insulation is not touching the Pipe in any way. It should be at least 1" or 2 Away. And If You have any Oil Soaked Fiber Glass behind the Shield, it is a sitting fire waiting to happen.

I also believe that My Turbo is crapping out. I rev the Engine up and when I down Rev, I can hear slight rattleing coming from the Turbo. So, My Friends theory of the Turbo, Cat Fire is a good possibility now.

The Problem That I have now is that I can not replace that Shield myself and I don't have the tools, Time and Space for it. it wraps around the Transmission and part of Engine Compt. From the looks of it, Trans and Engine has to be dropped.

I just wonder how much all this will cost to fix. Dealer will kill me on this. I am looking @ $5000 Minimum. I also wonder if my Insurance will cover me on this a little. The Car is in Great Shape. I don't want to get rid of it yet. Any suggestions from you guys would be appriciated.