NHTSA Complaint #10248884 — 1984 MAZDA RX7

EVENTS: STARTED NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF UNBURNED GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY INTO TOWN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. SAW A BIT OF SMOKE LEAKING PAST HOOD. GOT OUT OF CAR (QUICKLY). HAD BYSTANDER CALL 911. ASKED BYSTANDER FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. EMPTIED CAR (QUICKLY). FIRE EXTINGUISHER APPEARED. DID NOT OPEN HOOD, SHOT EXTINGUISHER UP, FROM BELOW THE RADIATOR. FIRE OUT. FAILURE: APPEARS THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE DAMPER STARTED LEAKING. SURMISE THAT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WIND KEPT THE FUEL COOL ENOUGH NOT TO IGNITE, BUT, IN TOWN, THE FUEL ACCUMULATED AND GOT HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE, BURNING WIRES AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DIE.. CORRECTION: REPLACE FUEL PRESSURE DAMPER, REPAIR WIRE HARNESS, REPLACE FRONT GRILL, REPAINT HOOD AND FENDERS. MECHANICAL DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $3000 (WIRE HARNESS ALONE WAS ~$1000), PLUS PAINT, ~$3000. OLD FUEL PRESSURE DAMPER STILL AVAILABLE. *TR