Its Just Caught Fire!!!! Ohh No

Well, after getting the gearbox sorted the other day, and then the steering, ive just poped to the shop and when i got out i could smell a burning plastic smell.
I pulled the bonet and then right in front of my eyes one of the spark plug leads caught fire.
I quickly smothered it and it went out.
It was the lead nearest to the bulk head on the passanger side.
the others look ok but it is dark so i will have a better look tomorrow.

Has anyone any idea what could have caused this, it cant be the leads as they were new.

Could be that the lead is acting as an earth. Meaning that your earth lead is NOT ! Hope to help !

i think i have the problem, and you may want to read on if you have a p38

I removed the lead when i got home to see if there was a problem with the spark plug, and it was firing fine, i then checked the lead as it was new to see if there was a problem with it, and there wasent. Not only that but to say it had just caught fire there was no damage??? If this had caught fire from a faulty plug or break in the cable it would have melted first. but not a sign of any melting.
So i connected everything back up and started the car. after around 20 mins nothing. So i came in the house to get a 240v light and when i returned the cable had some how started to bet very greasy.
closer examination showed that the gearbox dipstick had popped out a little and the grease was infact Gearbox oil. running down the pipe, onto my spark plug lead and then onto the manifold.
I called my dad who has a discovery, and he told me that if your breather is blocked it can force oil back up the dipstick.

please be warned check you breathers

Having an autobox with too much ATF can also cause this (dont ask how I know).

Make sure you check your autobox level when its cold.

To do this (and I quote from RAVE)...

CHECK/TOP UP AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID - up to 99MY

CAUTION: When replacing the dipstick,
ensure that the handle lugs fully engage
with tube.

NOTE: Check the fluid level only when the
engine and gearbox are cold.

1. Ensure vehicle is level, then select ’P’ (park) and
start the engine.
2. With the engine running at idle speed and both
footbrake and hand brake applied, move the
selector lever to position ’1’ and then back to
position ’P’.
3. Still with the engine running remove dipstick,
wipe using lint free cloth.
4. Reinsert the dipstick fully and withdraw again to
check the level.
5. Check fluid level registers between MAX and
MIN marking on dipstick.

Click to expand...

...and yes, the engraving on the dipstick does say to check by returning the lever to NEUTRAL rather than PARK, it never seemed to make a difference for me

Lastly, just a question from me, does the gearbox look like its been replaced recently (such as a refurb one from Ashcroft Transmissions) or does it look original??

-Wills

I will have a look in the morning when i remove the breather pipe to clean it out and i will let you know

read the description about the fire on this
YouTube - Range Rover SUV on fire in Aliso Viejo CA Jan 24 2007

The gear box is the origanal ZF box. why do you ask is there a problem with the replacment boxes