Has anyone experienced the power steering cap falling off? Raced a modified 300 today and came home, popped the hood and the damn cap was missing and fluid was everywhere. Could that have caught fire? Anyone know the story of the new srt with 18 miles catching fire (Dallas I think) due to a broken brake line? Customer was driving it off the lot on the way home and pop, nightmare.
This is BAAAAAAAAAAAAAD news man. Yes, it could have cought fire. It would have dripped onto the headers and voilą, you have flames coming off of the car; except these are not like Remmy's...yours are the real deal. Someone at .org had this happen to him. Had just bought the car, drove home from the dealership and it caught fire. I check mine everytime I fill up or when I raise the hood.
This is probably one of the "weakest links" in Viper construction. The guys at the track will check this cap after just about every run as it is famous for coming loose or completely off. I have heard of owners putting a small set screw in the cap or using major pliers (like Chuck) to make sure it is tight.
The guy that burned his yellow RT/10 to the ground on the way back from the dealership did indeed have his power steering fluid ignite when it hit the factory headers. In his case, it wasn't the cap, but a faulty power steering hose that failed (very, very rare and the only case I have ever heard of).
As to the SRT, first time I have heard that story but it sure sounds interesting!
Call HiPo Engineering @ 248-894-3772. They just came out with a pressure release tube that attaches to the top of your ps cap. Keeps the pressure from building up and blowing the top off. Specifically made for Vipers. I found it on the VCA website.You might do a search there. I got one. It's only $19.95 plus s&h. Well worth the $ obviously. :thumb:
I've had this happen to me as well racing a z06, good thing a cop pulled me over and I noticed some white smoke coming from the engeine [img]/images/graemlins/angry.gif[/img] I lost the cap and had to limp all the way home for about 40 miles with nothing buy duck tape
I sprung a leak in my power steering hose 2 years ago. Couldn't figure out what the fog like mist was coming out of the hood vent. It only happened when I turned the steering wheel so it took me a little bit to pinpoint it. I had no idea the shit was flammable until I read about the Viper that burned to the ground awhile later. I mean the power steering fluid spray left spots on my headers. I drove it several times while I was waiting to get an appointment with the dealer. Guess I'm lucky I didn't burn to the ground as well. Then you guys would start calling my Bonkers Jr.
It took 10 years of Viper ownership and heavy tracking before I had any PS reservoir cap looseness issues. I was at the track last month and noticed it was just a little loose, so I tightened it down. Thermal cycling is a consideration.
2 years ago at the track, the steering got hard, so I flushed the fluid. Next session it felt funny again so I pulled into the paddock. Just as I made the last turn next to the garage, something popped and the steering got hard again. I pulled into the stall and opened the hood to see flames beginning to erupt from the reservoir. Turns out the manifold heat shield had a gap right next to the hi pressure line. Years of intense heat finally cooked the rubber hose and it blew off at the crimp fitting, then ignited the oil.
It is definitely an area of concern and should be monitored regularly.
As mentioned above, my company HiPo Engineering has the fix. I'm having a webpage designed and a few hold ups have been the credit card setup and Dodge authorizing the use of the Viper logo. It should be ready to go any day.
Our product
- Vents the reservoir as critical for temperature changes
- Clamps on the cap nipple and doesn't allow it to turn off
- Uses Viton rubber fitting which is compatible with power steering fluid
- Stainless steel band clamps
- Steel tube with chrome or nickel plating
- Requires no modifications to OEM equipment, no drilling, etc.
- Solves the problem and looks great
Send an email and I'll send info and pictures info@hipoengineering.com
hipoengineering.com (still will show under construction)
248-894-3772
