Heater fire in 1986 ranger??

[squirtul1]

I recently had the heater core catch on fire on my 1986 ranger. I want to know I am crazy for thinking I can salvage the truck by rewiring and installing new heater and blower. The fire damage was mainly on the left side where the heater and blower were located. Don't want to let my baby go. I had just installed new engine and carburetor.

 

[Snoranger]

1st: The heater is on the right side. You always go by the drivers perspective.

2nd: Sounds like it may be salvageable. Post some pics so we can give real advice, not just guess at it.

 

[jhammel85]

1st: The heater is on the right side. You always go by the drivers perspective.

2nd: Sounds like it may be salvageable. Post some pics so we can give real advice, not just guess at it.

X2

 

[squirtul1]

Thank you. I am new to typing descriptions of my truck. I will post some pictures this weekend.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

To avoid any confusion use driver or passenger side. Is it leaking coolant the only thing I can think of is the resistor had a bunch of crap on it and finally torched, it is in the duck inside the engine bay on the passenger side. Sounds like a trip to the bone yard if you can one with some donor parts. Take it apart first so you know what you need and the tools you need to take with you.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have heard of some people getting leaves in the ductwork and the hot resistor lighting it off.

It is pretty simple to rip the thing off and check, after doing to for first time in 10 years I think it will become an annual event for me... cheap insurance.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If the blower motor stopped working it is what cools the resistor coils down. With no air flow they will burn up.

 

[B2 Addict]

I have heard of some people getting leaves in the ductwork and the hot resistor lighting it off.

It is pretty simple to rip the thing off and check, after doing to for first time in 10 years I think it will become an annual event for me... cheap insurance.

This happened to me, the whole truck suddenly filled with smoke and I had to hang my head out the window just to see to pull over! Not fun at all....

I make sure to pull the blower motor and the resistor to check for leaves quite often now.....I never even knew it was possible until it happened to me...


B2

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I get some pine needles blowing out the defrost here recently I think I will pull the blower and resistor and give it a good vac.

 

[jhammel85]

I know what I'll be doing soon..scary stuff.

 

[shovelmike]

Wow, been wrenching for over 40 years and this is a new one on me, proof that you never get too old to learn something new......better check mine for leaf buildup!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Wow, been wrenching for over 40 years and this is a new one on me, proof that you never get too old to learn something new......better check mine for leaf buildup!

Yours should be immune to it as far as I know. In '89 they went to round holes instead of the big slats, not sure what the newer ones have but I doubt they went back to the big slats.

 

[squirtul1]

Here are the pictures. Do you think there is hope?

I know it will be alot of work. Not worried about that. I just want to know can it be done. I am not sure what started it other than I had the defroster on with the fan on high. I am sure the blower is shot and the heater. No AC in my ranger. Hose was disconnected from the radiator after the battery was removed. Here are the pictures.

 

[bn6339]

Yours should be immune to it as far as I know. In '89 they went to round holes instead of the big slats, not sure what the newer ones have but I doubt they went back to the big slats.

Mine is a 1994, and round holes, HOWEVER, they are not immune...see exhibit A (his was a '93)

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100275

I cried when I saw this, and realized I better check mine! Basically an hour job to ensure your ride isnt a barbecue....

 

[yodaman1151]

This happened to me once I replaced the blower motor in mine. I cleaned it out but not far enough into the a/c diffuser part. Luckily I had the same thing as someone else mentioned and had smoke caught it before it really took off and had tools to fix it. There is still crap in there and it burns out my resistors.