Potential cause of recent meth fires found?

Eleventeen · 05-27-2012, 01:53 AM

Hey guys, went to fill my meth today and found something interesting. Usually when I fill up, I'm a little sloppy and end up spilling some or overflowing the tank. Since my meth seemed to run out so quickly this time, I wanted to make sure I was careful not to spill any in an attempt to check for leaks. Sure enough, found water/meth leaking from the filler neck. Interestingly, it is very hard to see due to the accordian shape of the tube. (see pics below of tube being stressed to show break). If you run the WW bottle setup, check your equipment! For the record, my car is an 09/06 build. Five years might be the limit for the filler neck.

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SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! · 05-27-2012, 07:12 AM

Good find man. Bottles a pain in the ass to change though.

PINeely · 05-27-2012, 08:54 AM

Yep, once that tank leaks the meth pools on the subframe and is ignited by the downpipes. Don't drive the car like that.

themyst · 05-27-2012, 08:57 AM

I think michael@ETS mentioned this issue months ago.

Rotorocious · 05-27-2012, 09:47 AM

Good find. I've never filled mine up that much tho.

drewmeyer87 · 05-27-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

Good find. I've never filled mine up that much tho.

Doesn't matter, the tank is weighted (The filler neck drops in the tank at a low level). You'll notice even with 1/2 tank, the meth will float to the top of the filler neck.

E90Company · 05-27-2012, 09:56 AM

Hmm you would think this is an issue that BMW should fix, considering there is methanol in wiper fluid! Granted small amounts but still

EDM92 · 05-27-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Company

Hmm you would think this is an issue that BMW should fix, considering there is methanol in wiper fluid! Granted small amounts but still

Ummm no. Not BMWs fault.

rader1 · 05-27-2012, 10:05 AM

Trunk mounted fuel cell FTW

Longboarder · 05-27-2012, 11:01 AM

Yeah even my 2010 had a tank that leaked...so just to be safe I replaced the entire unit including the filler neck...and now only run pure boost juice (49/51). These fires have me a bit scared esp given that I'm headed back to Willow for a track event soon.

BrianMN · 05-27-2012, 03:41 PM

These necks crack regardless of what liquid is in it.

Replacing this ($30) is something I do every year just for the halibut. It's extremely easy to replace, as is the actual ww fluid tank.

Dr. G · 05-27-2012, 03:45 PM

Shouldn't this be an issue of concern for all drivers? I know up here in Canada a lost of my family members use 40-45% meth wiper fluid in winters. Wonder if any normal non-modding drivers had a fire because of this before.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 05-27-2012, 03:45 PM

Mike @ ETS posted this a while ago. That is 1 of many problems areas of the current WW setups. When in doubt, take it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rader1

Trunk mounted fuel cell FTW

Good man.

Wedge1967 · 05-27-2012, 03:53 PM

Agree this is an issue, but I don't have any cracks in my filler neck and still had a fire. So like Jeff said, this is only 1 of the many problems with using a WW solution to run high % of meth. It just is not a good location and regardless of what you do it will always be an issue.

creaminz · 05-27-2012, 04:24 PM

Yup, definitely going to relocate the tank back to trunk.

EFI Logics · 05-27-2012, 04:33 PM

Good catch! Something for everyone to be mindful of...

-Josh

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 05-27-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Agree this is an issue, but I don't have any cracks in my filler neck and still had a fire. So like Jeff said, this is only 1 of the many problems with using a WW solution to run high % of meth. It just is not a good location and regardless of what you do it will always be an issue.

RE-quoting this so people understand this.

Eleventeen · 06-01-2012, 08:33 PM

I just got the new filler neck and cap in today. Here is a photo of the old cap and new cap side by side (old on left, new on right). It looks like they updated the new caps with a warning symbol. If you look at the second picture, at the lower portion of the cap, it looks like a little flame inside a hazard sign. Windshield washer fluid is typically thought to be non-flammable due to the high water content. I guess BMW is suggesting that even standard WW fluid IS flammable. Or maybe they've been reading the forums and know what we're really using it for LOL.

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secretsquirrel · 06-01-2012, 09:02 PM

It looks like BMWs lawyers are trying to curb any future lawsuits. Chances are very high that they've seen this issue with regular windshield fluid

dbjb · 06-02-2012, 01:04 AM

Interesting new cap. I would even argue that the dotted line represents various leaks points. Lol.

Slow_335i · 06-02-2012, 01:19 AM

Anyone have a part number for the filler neck?

Thanks

ETS Michael · 06-02-2012, 09:55 AM

Here is my thread, it might help.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=669688

05-27-2012, 01:53 AM	#1
Eleventeen Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 288 Posts Drives: G42 M240i Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (3)	Potential cause of recent meth fires found? Hey guys, went to fill my meth today and found something interesting. Usually when I fill up, I'm a little sloppy and end up spilling some or overflowing the tank. Since my meth seemed to run out so quickly this time, I wanted to make sure I was careful not to spill any in an attempt to check for leaks. Sure enough, found water/meth leaking from the filler neck. Interestingly, it is very hard to see due to the accordian shape of the tube. (see pics below of tube being stressed to show break). If you run the WW bottle setup, check your equipment! For the record, my car is an 09/06 build. Five years might be the limit for the filler neck. __________________ G42 M240i xDrive
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05-27-2012, 07:12 AM	#2
SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! Lieutenant Colonel 216 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: 06' E90 330, 20' F97 X3m Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: L.I, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i SPORT [7.34]	Good find man. Bottles a pain in the ass to change though. __________________ LIVE FAST..DRIVE FASTER!!
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05-27-2012, 08:54 AM	#3
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1086 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	Yep, once that tank leaks the meth pools on the subframe and is ignited by the downpipes. Don't drive the car like that.
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05-27-2012, 08:57 AM	#4
themyst Major General 177 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	I think michael@ETS mentioned this issue months ago. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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05-27-2012, 09:47 AM	#5
Rotorocious Lieutenant Colonel 103 Rep 1,520 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado iTrader: (3)	Good find. I've never filled mine up that much tho.
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05-27-2012, 09:56 AM	#7
E90Company Major General 194 Rep 6,136 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	Hmm you would think this is an issue that BMW should fix, considering there is methanol in wiper fluid! Granted small amounts but still
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05-27-2012, 10:05 AM	#9
rader1 Banned 70 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: Cobb Stage 2+ 135i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA iTrader: (0)	Trunk mounted fuel cell FTW
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05-27-2012, 11:01 AM	#10
Longboarder Major General 3431 Rep 6,771 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monarch Beach iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5M [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 Tu ... [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 [10.00]	Yeah even my 2010 had a tank that leaked...so just to be safe I replaced the entire unit including the filler neck...and now only run pure boost juice (49/51). These fires have me a bit scared esp given that I'm headed back to Willow for a track event soon. __________________ Current BMWs: 2022 X5 40i, 2016 X5 50i 2015 Porsche 991 Turbo S 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo (930) a couple others IG: longboarder949; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT1...eoFBszPIK0gf9w
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05-27-2012, 03:41 PM	#11
BrianMN Banned 114 Rep 2,428 Posts Drives: 4 Door Family Sedan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (7)	These necks crack regardless of what liquid is in it. Replacing this ($30) is something I do every year just for the halibut. It's extremely easy to replace, as is the actual ww fluid tank.
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05-27-2012, 03:45 PM	#12
Dr. G Major General 278 Rep 5,062 Posts Drives: Black e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, Ontario iTrader: (32) Garage List e92 BMW 335i [8.84]	Shouldn't this be an issue of concern for all drivers? I know up here in Canada a lost of my family members use 40-45% meth wiper fluid in winters. Wonder if any normal non-modding drivers had a fire because of this before. __________________ JB4 / OSS Angel Eyes / Downpipes / F1-Racewerks FMIC / Custom Meth Kit / BMS DCI / ER Chargepipe / HKS BOV / BMS Meth Elbow / BMW Performance Exhaust / Carbon Fiber Inlay Quad Tips / 19" Miro 111 / Front Aero Lip / M3 Sides / VRS CSL Trunk / Mtech Rear / DD CF Quad Finned Diffuser / LCI Tails / BBK / Smoked Reflectors / F1 Euphoria LED Interior / License LED's / GT 5000k Corners / 5000k HID Fogs / Air Scoops / LED Turn Signals / FK Silverline Coilovers / HPA endlinks / Vibrant Resonators / Osram CBI 5000k D1S
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05-27-2012, 03:53 PM	#14
Wedge1967 Banned 125 Rep 2,172 Posts Drives: '07 e92 AT Sport Montego Blue Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (3)	Agree this is an issue, but I don't have any cracks in my filler neck and still had a fire. So like Jeff said, this is only 1 of the many problems with using a WW solution to run high % of meth. It just is not a good location and regardless of what you do it will always be an issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2012, 04:24 PM	#15
creaminz Major General 545 Rep 7,705 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (33)	Yup, definitely going to relocate the tank back to trunk.
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05-27-2012, 04:33 PM	#16
EFI Logics 52 Rep 306 Posts Drives: '08 BMW 135i, 08 535Xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bethel, CT iTrader: (0)	Good catch! Something for everyone to be mindful of... -Josh
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06-01-2012, 08:33 PM	#18
Eleventeen Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 288 Posts Drives: G42 M240i Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (3)	I just got the new filler neck and cap in today. Here is a photo of the old cap and new cap side by side (old on left, new on right). It looks like they updated the new caps with a warning symbol. If you look at the second picture, at the lower portion of the cap, it looks like a little flame inside a hazard sign. Windshield washer fluid is typically thought to be non-flammable due to the high water content. I guess BMW is suggesting that even standard WW fluid IS flammable. Or maybe they've been reading the forums and know what we're really using it for LOL. __________________ G42 M240i xDrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-01-2012, 09:02 PM	#19
secretsquirrel Colonel 130 Rep 2,291 Posts Drives: f80 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Far North Dallas iTrader: (2)	It looks like BMWs lawyers are trying to curb any future lawsuits. Chances are very high that they've seen this issue with regular windshield fluid
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06-02-2012, 01:04 AM	#20
dbjb I sweat pheromones 203 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: e92 335i, retired SLK55 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (25)	Interesting new cap. I would even argue that the dotted line represents various leaks points. Lol.
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06-02-2012, 01:19 AM	#21
Slow_335i Daily Driven! 186 Rep 2,516 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Central Illinois iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 BMW 335I [7.02]	Anyone have a part number for the filler neck? Thanks __________________
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06-02-2012, 09:55 AM	#22
ETS Michael Major 76 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (4)	Here is my thread, it might help. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=669688
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