On leaving work, I filled up the gas tank. I started to drive home and my gas gauge showed near empty after 15 miles. I stopped on the side of the highway and the police officer said to get off the highway since I had a gasoline leak. I though that it was in my gas tank so I filled up to drive home. It did not seam to leak when the engine was not running. The next day I drove it to the Mitsubishi dealer and a fire started in the engine compartment. I pulled over and turned off the engine. I did not want to raise the hood because the oxogen would cause a fire to envolve the entire car. I keep the hood down for about 30 minutes until there was no smoldering. I then called a tow truck to take the car to my dealer. My 2002 Mitsubishi Galant V6 ctz was checked out by the delor an he found that the plastic protector that covers the gas hose in the engine compartment was chewed up, he said, by a squarrel causing the gasoline to flow onto the top of the hot engine. He replaced part of the plastic protector. This problem can be repeated since this season has cold weather and animals hide in the engine compartment for heat. Luckaly there were no injuries and a major car fire was averted.

- Commack, NY, USA