When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So it appears the C8 wide bodies may be fire bombs when re fueling
There have been several reports of spontaneous fuel explosions when re filling the wide bodies including that Z06 video that was circulated about a month ago. There are several more in the face book groups so be careful! It’s suspected that the fans might be running and pulling the fumes over the hot engine.
Hey, folks, Michael from the front-page team here. GM just called me because they saw this thread, and wanted to hopefully alleviate some concerns and questions people may be having.
Here is a broad strokes summary of my conversation with GM, but please note that I do not speak for or represent GM in any way --
Safety for customers is GM's highest priority
Stingrays and E-Rays are currently NOT affected by this issue
23-26 Z06s and 25-26 ZR1s are on the recall
Per the notice sent to dealerships, please be careful when refueling (follow all instructions per the owner's manual, make sure the fuel filler is inserted fully into your Corvette's fuel pipe, be on the lookout for damaged fuel pumps, and don't try to overfill after you've heard a click)
The specific REMEDY has NOT yet officially been announced, but will be forthcoming
(I'm going to repost this in another thread on a similar topic)
I've heard of a few Z06s but has this happened to an Eray? I know the Eray's also have a fan there but mine doesn't come on all that often - presumably the Z06 engine runs hotter?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I have not specifically paid attention to make sure, but I don’t recall my fans ever running while the gas cap is open. Even if they do, that’s an easy software fix that I’m sure GM will rollout if it’s actually an issue. Honestly though, other than the recent Z06 fire on video, I don’t recall of hearing of many (if any) gas station C8 fires.
Sadly there have been quite a few this photo is from this forum.
I have seen three (which is known as a few). Not sure about quite a few, which infers more than three. There are lots of variables that can include the operator. Some say they turn the fuel nozzle upside down to defeat the auto shut off. Are the cars that burned shut off or running, is the fuel nozzle upside down, is it upside down AND unattended, is the owner on the phone with static discharge??? Is it a combination of some or all of these? It is not a wide spread problem, but there are proper steps that should be taken to fuel any car.
Not happening to only wide bodies...here's a crisp Z51...the commonality between the Z51 and the wide bodies is they both have engine bay fan located in the side intake right below the fueling filler neck.
During fueling, fuel vapors are heavy than air, and if the fan is running after engine shutdown to cool the engine bay, the fuel vapors may be drawn into the engine bay. Of course this is purely assumption..
As a Z51 owner myself, before fueling the car, I will check and make certain that fan is not running before opening the fuel door for fueling.
I've heard of a few Z06s but has this happened to an Eray? I know the Eray's also have a fan there but mine doesn't come on all that often - presumably the Z06 engine runs hotter?
My E-Ray engine air fan comes on often. It's the same one all C8's have. BUT it only comes on if I am driving aggressively in Z-Mode just prior to parking in the garage. My home is 2 miles from a 4 lane highway traffic going ~70 mph. Our rural road in 25 mph speed limit so the last 2 miles is relatively slow. But if I have accelerated aggressively prior to merging on the highway, I then brake hard so folks behind don't have to slow for me when I turn onto our rural road. It downshifts 2 gears rev matching each. After I stop in the garage is when the rear fan runs for ~5 minutes after the car is parked. Has never happened when I stop for gas. But never driving aggressive just prior. But good thought, if fan is running don't fill up (IF That Is Really The Cause!)
Yep, Driver's Side Fan Blows Air From Fender Scoop Into Engine Compartment. Only happens in my E-Ray as it did my 2020 C8 Z51 if parking after driving aggressively. Can see how fumes from filling could blow past fan motor into engine compartment.
It appears there may be something about the shape/configuration from the filler door to the tank that some gas pumps won't shut off automatically. Turn off the car, tend the fuel nozzle, and have an idea how much should go in. If it's on low fuel warning expect around 17 gallons for it to shut off.
I suspect he meant the rear "hood"/hatch. Not that it would help though. Fire loves air.
Yes the reason I said this I was told the fan was possibly pulling in the gases into the almost sealed engine compartment. by opening the rear hood it might help alleviate combustable fumes from getting trapped in the engine compartment exactly the way boats do with bilge blowers.
Not happening to only wide bodies...here's a crisp Z51...the commonality between the Z51 and the wide bodies is they both have engine bay fan located in the side intake right below the fueling filler neck.
During fueling, fuel vapors are heavy than air, and if the fan is running after engine shutdown to cool the engine bay, the fuel vapors may be drawn into the engine bay. Of course this is purely assumption..
As a Z51 owner myself, before fueling the car, I will check and make certain that fan is not running before opening the fuel door for fueling.
Goose
Another HTC. Still haven’t seen pics of a Coupe fire. Not saying it’s only HTC’s, just haven’t seen one yet.
So it appears the C8 wide bodies may be fire bombs when re fueling
