Diesel exhaust regen set bumper on fire!

[SpotonJ]

Diesel exhaust system regeneration cycle ran while I was driving on a highway.
There was a storm with rain (the only thing that saved my truck) and cross winds up to 60 mph. The exhaust was blown directly into the passenger side corner of the bumper where it swirled and caught the bumper on fire. If it hadn't been raining I would have lost the truck and possibly my dogs in the back.
The local mechanic (ASE Master Mechanic for 30+ years) diagnosed the cause.

I called Ram who sent a 3rd party investigator for FCA to report to the NHTSA.
My dealership refused responsibility claiming they've never heard of it happening.
It happened.
The dealership refused to help as did FCA (truck was purchased new in January 2020 & is under warranty).
Despite having been a Mopar guy since my first car in the 1990s, I'm done with Stellantis because they aren't Mopar quality.
This is the 2nd FCA vehicle I've had trouble with since Fiat took over.
Incidentally the dealership (Bill Harris in Ashland Ohio) gave me a run around for a month before telling me they would offer no help.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I find that very hard to believe unless the tail pipe was shooting flames

 

[DontSlamMyRam]

HOT batch of Thai food bio diesel?
Always catches my bumper on fire!

 

[MtnRider]

If you really feel a regen caused that get a lawyer.
I myself am extremely skeptical to say the least.... The plastic trim on the bottom of the bumper isn't even melted. Your 30 year master mechanic might want to consider a career change at this point if that is his professional diagnosis?


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[elephantrider]

there's always 3 sides to a story. 2 truths and the facts.

this is super fishy.

 

[flan]

Hmmm I don’t see how it’s possible. Unless your exhaust had previous damage and was pushed up against something that it shouldn’t of, or some debris was on your exhaust pipe there’s no way swirling exhaust caught your bumper on fire during a rainstorm, imho.

Anyhow thanks for joining the site today to tell us of your harrowing tale.

 

[SpotonJ]

I lived it.
I have no reason to make it up.
Lawyer said there wasn't a large enough loss monetarily to make it worth his while.
I posted this because despite having seen it happen, there aren't any other reports of it online.
To the sniper sniping at this post, it's easily verified that when a diesel exhaust system runs a filter regeneration cycle it reaches flame temperatures of over 900° f and occasionally does indeed result in actual visible flames as fuel is dumped through the exhaust and does burn (that's how it cleans the filter).

 

[SpotonJ]

If you really feel a regen caused that get a lawyer.
I myself am extremely skeptical to say the least.... The plastic trim on the bottom of the bumper isn't even melted. Your 30 year master mechanic might want to consider a career change at this point if that is his professional diagnosis?


.

As someone who maintains a fleet of 6-15 vehicles for the past 12 years I promise you that unless you know of elves who set fires to moving trucks this is what happened. In addition the mechanic I referenced is arguably the best mechanic I've dealt with in the 30 years I've been working on vehicles.

 

[Jimmy07]

I actually find this very plausible in a “perfect storm” situation (no pun intended). Probably easier to let insurance comprehensive take care of it, and they’ll decide if they want to investigate far enough to go after the manufacturer for reimbursement.

 

[SpotonJ]

I find that very hard to believe unless the tail pipe was shooting flames

I actually find this very plausible in a “perfect storm” situation (no pun intended). Probably easier to let insurance comprehensive take care of it, and they’ll decide if they want to investigate far enough to go after the manufacturer for reimbursement.

100% what the mechanic and lawyer said.
It was a perfect storm blowing constantly from passenger to driver's side as I was driving 70 mph perpendicular to the wind.
I realize it was a freak occurrence, but wanted people to know that it can happen.

 

[flan]

I lived it.
I have no reason to make it up.
Lawyer said there wasn't a large enough loss monetarily to make it worth his while.
I posted this because despite having seen it happen, there aren't any other reports of it online.
To the sniper sniping at this post, it's easily verified that when a diesel exhaust system runs a filter regeneration cycle it reaches flame temperatures of over 900° f and occasionally does indeed result in actual visible flames as fuel is dumped through the exhaust and does burn (that's how it cleans the filter).

I don’t think fuel is dumped down our exhausts to clean the filter. I believe you are referring to different technology that our trucks don’t possess?

 

[SpotonJ]

I actually find this very plausible in a “perfect storm” situation (no pun intended). Probably easier to let insurance comprehensive take care of it, and they’ll decide if they want to investigate far enough to go after the manufacturer for reimbursement.

I don’t think fuel is dumped down our exhausts to clean the filter. I believe you are referring to different technology that our trucks don’t possess?

Exhaust is super heated by increasing the amount of fuel and air that are in excess of the amount needed for a regular combustion cycle. Thus, while I was wrong to say that it "dumps" fuel, the process does result in fuel that has not been fully consumed by the combustion cycle to make it to the exhaust system in higher volume than during regular operation.

 

[flan]

Exhaust is super heated by increasing the amount of fuel and air that are in excess of the amount needed for a regular combustion cycle. Thus, while I was wrong to say that it "dumps" fuel, the process does result in fuel that has not been fully consumed by the combustion cycle to make it to the exhaust system in higher volume than during regular operation.

That’s better. No raw fuel goes into our systems. That being said I’d like to see pics of different angles of your exhaust to understand better. A side shot would be helpful.

 

[Brewbud]

I believe it. It doesn't take a flame to ignite the plastic. Just a heat high enough. With perfect conditions...combustion. I don't think the truck would have burned though with where the fire started.

 

[SpotonJ]

That’s better. No raw fuel goes into our systems. That being said I’d like to see pics of different angles of your exhaust to understand better. A side shot would be helpful.

Truck is covered in snow today. I will gladly get more pictures to post as soon as I can.

 

[SpotonJ]

I believe it. It doesn't take a flame to ignite the plastic. Just a heat high enough. With perfect conditions...combustion. I don't think the truck would have burned though with where the fire started.

I don't disagree about the truck likely not burning down (I was a bit hyperbolic).
However, with my search and rescue dogs in the carpeted bed (covered in a truck cap) and my family in the cab, it was somewhat shocking to consider the possibility.

 

[flan]

Truck is covered in snow today. I will gladly get more pictures to post as soon as I can.

Ok no hurry. I am interested because I have a aftermarket tailpipe on my truck. I may re adjust it based on how your pipe is angled.

 

[SpotonJ]

Ok no hurry. I am interested because I have a aftermarket tailpipe on my truck. I may re adjust it based on how your pipe is angled.

Mine is the stock exhaust system. I don't have any modifications on the truck aside from the bed cap.
I'll still post more pictures as soon as I can.

 

[g00fy]

Any chance some carboard or some other sort of flammable trash, got picked up on the highway and wedged in the right (wrong) spot and your regenning hot exhaust ignited that? Another improbable but not impossible scenario. I've heard a few stories of trash on the highway getting wedged in the wrong spot near a hot exhaust and causing problems ranging from an annoying burning plastic smell in the cabin (Plastic bag melted to the cat on my grandparents car), to an entire medium duty truck going up in flames (Cardboard found it's way between the cab, body, and stacks).

 

[Brewbud]

Any chance some carboard or some other sort of flammable trash, got picked up on the highway and wedged in the right (wrong) spot and your regenning hot exhaust ignited that? Another improbable but not impossible scenario. I've heard a few stories of trash on the highway getting wedged in the wrong spot near a hot exhaust and causing problems ranging from an annoying burning plastic smell in the cabin (Plastic bag melted to the cat on my grandparents car), to an entire medium duty truck going up in flames (Cardboard found it's way between the cab, body, and stacks).

I once had a piece of carpet that had fallen between the cab and bed ignite on a previous truck. My friend had a piece of cardboard ignite the same way. It was while he was crossing the Navy Ammunition base so that got interesting real quick. They used to give a number placard to every car that crossed the base. If any came in out of order and with too much of a delay all the MPs descended on you. LOL