Very interesting

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assume you don't have a warranty or insurance?

 

My question is "why did you sit there and idle for 4 minutes"? That was just letting heat build up. As mentioned, if you don't have insurance, Rocky Mountain ATV has the best prices on OEM parts.

 

So you can't idle for a few minutes in these machines? lol c'mon! I let mine warm up for about that long also which everyone should also. Is this a case of blaming the operator and not the machine?

 

Were you running the stock exhaust with that tune? Those things get exceptionally hot.

 

yes, its the tune for ALL stock motor but 91 octane fuel. It takes off the limiter and a few other basic things. But as I mentioned, my X3 was running out of fuel a lot faster on the trip before the tuner. For all I know the fuel rail cracked and it just finally went

 

How could it happen?
Well, you have an 18’ and who knows what was done to it since new. Are you the original owner? If not then all bets are off as to previous owner and if they had the fitting off the fuel rail.
It is super uncommon for the X3 to have any issues with that fitting. That same design is used in automotive applications all over.

 

How could it happen?
Well, you have an 18’ and who knows what was done to it since new. Are you the original owner? If not then all bets are off as to previous owner and if they had the fitting off the fuel rail.
It is super uncommon for the X3 to have any issues with that fitting. That same design is used in automotive applications all over.

All stock engine. 2000 miles. Never wrecked or rolled. This is a can am problem, not someone messing with the fuel rail. Polaris had a similar issue but was smart enough to fix the problem.

 

Happy to hear that the OP escaped injury and lived to talk about their experience.

I keep hearing that this is not a common problem. But this is the fourth Can-Am fuel fire I've heard of in the last three months, and I'm not actively searching for this info. The first two were X3 fuel rail connectors and there were serious injuries reported in both.

Yes similar quick disconnect fittings are common in other OEM vehicle applications BUT are they the exact same fitting as used on the Can-Am? These fittings make it easier to assemble but they are also easy to fail to latch properly. This particular fitting on the X3 is in close proximity to the exhaust system and if the fitting leaks and sprays the hot exhaust you are going to have a very bad day. And there are two more of these quick disconnect fittings on the X3 fuel line, both of those are in the passenger area.

There are several aftermarket fuel rails that come with -6 AN fittings. The AN fittings are much more positive sealing and a stronger design. You may chose to convert to AN fittings and be done with the "uncommon" failure of the OEM 90-degree quick disconnect. Or if you're not convinced that a change is needed, I recommend you at least consider safety wiring the OEM fitting so it can't blow off. It takes about 25-cents of safety wire and 15-minutes of your time to mitigate an "uncommon" fire hazard that continues to happen.

 

Happy to hear that the OP escaped injury and lived to talk about their experience.

I keep hearing that this is not a common problem. But this is the fourth Can-Am fuel fire I've heard of in the last three months, and I'm not actively searching for this info. The first two were X3 fuel rail connectors and there were serious injuries reported in both.

Yes similar quick disconnect fittings are common in other OEM vehicle applications BUT are they the exact same fitting as used on the Can-Am? These fittings make it easier to assemble but they are also easy to fail to latch properly. This particular fitting on the X3 is in close proximity to the exhaust system and if the fitting leaks and sprays the hot exhaust you are going to have a very bad day. And there are two more of these quick disconnect fittings on the X3 fuel line, both of those are in the passenger area.

There are several aftermarket fuel rails that come with -6 AN fittings. The AN fittings are much more positive sealing and a stronger design. You may chose to convert to AN fittings and be done with the "uncommon" failure of the OEM 90-degree quick disconnect. Or if you're not convinced that a change is needed, I recommend you at least consider safety wiring the OEM fitting so it can't blow off. It takes about 25-cents of safety wire and 15-minutes of your time to mitigate an "uncommon" fire hazard that continues to happen.

Thanks!
I didn't know much about this setup until this happened and now I realize how bad it really is! Yes, Im changing to billet fuel rail and -6 AN pushlock fittings. I'm not relying on a piece of plastic any more. I would've wired it if I'd known this is what could occur but lesson learned. Can Am probably won't change anything until they get sued. In all honesty, after it happened I wanted to just fix it and sell it. Go with another brand or wait for SpeedUTV. But I'm cooled down and will just keep on using the x3.

 

 

If it was cracked, I would think you would've smelled raw fuel

Something is a miss with this story.

Barbara

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If it was cracked, I would think you would've smelled raw fuel

Something is a miss with this story.

Barbara

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This is a couple of the things that makes me scratch my head:

"1st day out it seems to go through fuel like 5 times faster than normal. I also noticed a month ago on my last trip that my fuel seemed to get sucked down quickly (before the tuner)"

"Sitting at idle somehow made it just bust off"

One would think it would have busted when on the throttle riding, and if it were to catch fire it would have happed the first several trips but I guess not so, and no smell or vision of raw fuel spray/vapors?

 

Btw, its possible I wouldn't smell fuel. I never did, even when it caught fire. I'm in a Max, pumper helmets on and often going 50-70mph. I don't think I'd smell fuel at all. As soon as I turn it off the fuel pump turns off. It's not like it drips out the whole time.

 

Btw, its possible I wouldn't smell fuel. I never did, even when it caught fire. I'm in a Max, pumper helmets on and often going 50-70mph. I don't think I'd smell fuel at all. As soon as I turn it off the fuel pump turns off. It's not like it drips out the whole time.

Several different trips, going through 5 times the amount of fuel?

Not trying to condone the connector or call you out as we all know how they are questionable and used throughout the moto/motor industry. The story is just a bit unusual and feel their might be more to it..

 

 

At 5 times the rate would mean you only got 10 miles or less out of a full tank?

Here's a pic of a stock '18 XRS for reference only.

 

I took a bunch of pics of my buddys 2021 so I could see what it supposed to look like. I'm going to start tearing mine apart in a week so I can get parts ordered. I'm assuming I need to order injectors also because I'm sure the flame followed the fuel all the way through them. I don't know though...need to start ripping it apart.

I'd say I got 20 miles out of a tank before I noticed I wouldn't make it back and added 2 more gallons.
I didn't actually measure miles per gallon and come up with that number but the other can ams were doing great on fuel and I was about empty. Maybe I was using 3 times the fuel. Even twice the fuel is odd!

 

While searching for a fuel rail and parts I came across this post but can't remember where (it was late last night and I screen shot it). Anyway, the same thing happened to this guys with a much worse outcome.

Anyway, it doesn't appear I'll get any help in this forum so I'll move on. But if anything at all, (to X3 owners) I would ziptie or wire the plastic fitting in just as added security. Takes 5 minutes and you could avoid this. Or do what I am doing and get the billet fuel rail as there are a few vendors making them now. I believe Rzr went to this type back in 2016.

 

While searching for a fuel rail and parts I came across this post but can't remember where (it was late last night and I screen shot it). Anyway, the same thing happened to this guys with a much worse outcome.

Anyway, it doesn't appear I'll get any help in this forum so I'll move on. But if anything at all, (to X3 owners) I would ziptie or wire the plastic fitting in just as added security. Takes 5 minutes and you could avoid this. Or do what I am doing and get the billet fuel rail as there are a few vendors making them now. I believe Rzr went to this type back in 2016.

What help are you looking for?

 

Sharing good and bad experiences helps others, and your misfortune just highlights that there is always opportunity for improvement. While this may be a low probability of occurrence it certainly has a risk associated with it so thanks for sharing.

 

It's lucky and good for you it didn't burn the whole machine down and everyone is okay. Safety wire is the way to go on this one. In case it does come off, the safety wire will keep it at leaking but not fully coming unplugged and causing a very dangerous situation. The next time I am in the tunnel I will do that coupling too.

 

brp has been using the same wimpy fitting for almost 20 years on all their 4 stroke toys
I have seen it hold up to 100psi but IMO way too much for it
yes every part can fail and I'm sure if it was a real problem brp would have changed it by now. at 58-65psi if it leaks its going to spray everywhere, not just drip so safety wire is useless but a zip tie around the fitting (locking ring) may add some strength to hold it tight on the rail

 

Lots of good Info here
Again so glad no one lost a life.
As you say beating dead horse/stick.
RMATV will have most everything to replace what's bad.


Still lots of unanswered questions.
If you were going through that much fuel, why didn't you do some investigating?

And as you say you ride with a pumper helmet, do you not take it off? If it had been leaking at anytime you would smell raw fuel.
Common sense would say if you're using extra fuel, maybe do so maintenance or investigating.

Our friends 18 turbo RZR died on a trail, instead of trying to keep starting it, they did some investigating, found the fuel rail had broke and he had Polaris recall done, so no, the recall didn't work,
He ended up with. Small fire from the fumes, they put the fuel rail back together with zipties and a few other accessories and drove it back to camp.
Polaris did an investigation, because it was one of the few that were survivals.
He ended up with a new Turbo S out of the whole ordeal.
Barbara

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Lots of good Info here
Again so glad no one lost a life.
As you say beating dead horse/stick.
RMATV will have most everything to replace what's bad.


Still lots of unanswered questions.
If you were going through that much fuel, why didn't you do some investigating?

And as you say you ride with a pumper helmet, do you not take it off? If it had been leaking at anytime you would smell raw fuel.
Common sense would say if you're using extra fuel, maybe do so maintenance or investigating.

Our friends 18 turbo RZR died on a trail, instead of trying to keep starting it, they did some investigating, found the fuel rail had broke and he had Polaris recall done, so no, the recall didn't work,
He ended up with. Small fire from the fumes, they put the fuel rail back together with zipties and a few other accessories and drove it back to camp.
Polaris did an investigation, because it was one of the few that were survivals.
He ended up with a new Turbo S out of the whole ordeal.
Barbara

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COMMON SENSE is not common.

 

Fuel on your exhaust pipe doesnt autoignite that easy at touch,what burns is fuel vapor and a Spark or flame.your starter motor and acumulation of fuel vapor during idling was the cause of fire.

 

The autoignition temp of gasoline is 536F. An exhaust system routinely runs hotter than that when playing hard in the dirt. A cat converter will run over 1200F and is a fairly large heat sink so will take awhile to cool down.

 

thats on a perfect lab scenario,if thats the case he will be on fire when was running,on my 30 years tuning cars i have never seen fuel catch on fire when fuel rails come off cause boost with poorly made brackets and fuels get pored over the turbo manifold at 1500*,and believe me have been dozens of them.but all fire i seen are evertime they crank the engine and a smidge of fuel leak from an inj oring.

 

Wondering if this has happened to others. Here's my story from just a few days ago. (2018 xrs max)
Day before trip, installed a power vision tuner and a stock 91 octane tune. All went well.
1st day out it seems to go through fuel like 5 times faster than normal. I also noticed a month ago on my last trip that my fuel seemed to get sucked down quickly (before the tuner).

2nd day out. About 2 miles from camp on a 90degree day I stopped to wait for others. We were sitting at idle for about 4 minutes and the x3 stalled. I thought that was really weird as it never did that before. My first reaction was to just start it back up so I pressed start. I then heard a poof and then people yelling to get out. We got out right away and put the fire out within 60 seconds. Basically the elbow that connects to the fuel rail came off or burned off....not sure...but its off now.

the intercooler fan melted some. The wires going to the injectors are burned and a hose which I think is a coolant hose got burned but didn't leak. Fuel rail is burned some.

What happened (I believe) is the fuel rail elbow (connector) was leaking the day before which explains it going thru fuel so fast. Amazing that it didnt catch fire sooner if thats the case. Sitting at idle somehow made it just bust off and the X3 stalled. I pressed start and the fuel pump sprayed fuel on the muffler and POOF. There was fire on the ground so I know fuel sprayed out.

Side note: A Rzr guy pulled up and said something like "I thought can ams didn't catch on fire".

So my parts list is the engine wiring harness, intercooler fan and shroud, billet fuel rail with -an fitting, new injectors, possibly a few feet of new fuel line, any hoses that looked damaged, and anything I find when its apart.

Does anyone know if the engine wire harness is a real hassle? I just got a used 2018 off ebay and still sourcing other parts. It looks like I can take off the bed and intercooler and then have access to pretty much everything.

Does anyone have any theories how this could happen?

I heard this happening before from a tuner. To a brand new 2020 unit fuel rail is not connected properly from the factory. Caught fire on first ride. Good luck glad you made it out alive

 

It all comes down to shit happens! No one got hurt so try to learn from it and thankfully you had a fire extinguisher or it could have been a total loss, a fire extinguisher is one of the first things I bought. I think the 2019s intercoolers are bigger, but I have a intercooler and fan shroud if you want to upgrade.

 

Used Can Am Maverick X3 Parts | Can Am Maverick X3 Salvage Parts used parts is a source if you don’t got the nickel to buy the hot rod stuff

 

I have been waiting for someone to ask if you pissed off one of the friends you were with!

 

This is what is left of my son's 2020 Can Am Maverick. Burned to a crisp four years ago, and took with it our entire 30x40 shop only nine months old, and my husband's 1997 Ford F-350 "show truck" which had won awards and been in Diesel World Magazine. Cause of the fire was never pinpointed, but the Can Am was one of three possible starting points. The Can Am was three months old, only had GAP insurance because the dealer told us that's all that was required. Lesson learned.

 

 

Welcome from Tucson AZ. Has to be a story behind the pic, let’s hear it.

 

Would be almost unheard of for one to catch fire while off. Unless someone did some real funky wiring of accessories.