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Feb 19, 2011 22:20:03 GMT
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ok so my daily driver is a ruined crispy wreck now
I *really* want to prevent this in my '65 cortina which has always smelled of petrol when driving - used to joke it was a non smoking car because of the fumes - now i'm taking it seriously. i would be totally devastated if i lost it after 11 years history.
here's my thoughts on prevention:
1. fuel lines - completely replace with new
2. carb - refurbish / check for leaks
3. add fuse box to electric system (car is old school - no fuses at all!)
4. get a really good fire extinguisher - the one i tried to save the santana
with was completely useless, and in fact just donated by a passer by.
worth adding a fuel cut off switch? the fuel lines run under the passenger compartment anyway..
some of this overkill / sensible / recommended?
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Feb 19, 2011 22:31:14 GMT
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Hi-Definitely try to cure all the fuel leaks but if you're serious about the fire extinguisher you should look at the systems used in race/rally cars.The exthinguishant is piped to the engine bay and the other likely areas for fire.You also could fit a cut off switch for your battery if you thought it was a risk for fire.Do you know the cause of the fire in your previous car??
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Feb 19, 2011 22:33:23 GMT
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Although you've already said fire extinguisher, make sure it is mounted within easy reach and make sure you know how to use it. When my Reliant went up in flames I was putting out the flames within seconds which massively limited the damage, as everything was going up very quickly.
My Renault 5 smells of fuel and I'm not sure if it is just me being paranoid after the Reliant. I've checked all the fuel lines and so on and I'm pretty sure nothing is actually leaking but all the same I carry a large extinguisher in it.
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Feb 19, 2011 23:08:54 GMT
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re: cause of flames -
well when i picked up the car in the first place is was running a bit bad and smelling of petrol - it was super cheap an half my planned budget for a runnaround - so i lazily sent it in for a checkup and service at my local garage. they said they were surprised it made it back from newcastle as there was petrol dripping out the fuel line round the carb. they fixed it, then once again a few months later. recently it had started smelling quite badly of petrol when idling in traffic, but when i looked under the bonnet i couldn't see anything obviously leaking out this time (and it had just been serviced and checked out by the garage for possible faults) so i put it down to the auto-choke running too rich in the cold weather and made a mental note to take it to a carb specialist for a tune-up / possible snazzy webber conversion. next thing i knew the power assistance went on the brakes, and while i was considering what to do next i saw some smoke coming from the engine. thinking some sort of pump had seized i went to open the bonnet only to be greeted by licking flames and the sad realisation that i'd never got round to getting a fire extinguisher..
taught me a few things:
don't be lazy - check these things out myself
always have a fire extinguisher in the car
have to say it was horrible watching my car burn.
don't plan to repeat the experience will be super
careful about it in future.
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Also, CO2 fire extinguishers are USELESS for a car! If there's the slightest of breeze, it would pretty much self-ignite if hot enough..
Going to get a nice big powder one for my scimitar, just in case!
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You're like a crazy backyard genius! |
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Flame prevention tacticsBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Feb 20, 2011 11:35:20 GMT
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When my Mk3 Escort went up in flames, it was caused by oil being dumped through the breathers onto the exhaust manifold.
I had tried to solve the breather problems, and thought I had! 50 miles into a 300 mile journey and it was obvious something was very wrong.
I had a cheap dry powder extinguisher, which did the job and got the flames out. Not before the damage had been done though.
I was a bit surprised that the exhaust manifold could get hot enough to ignite oil... now I know! Leaky rocker covers are something I watch now too - it could create a similar situation if the leak is bad enough.
I always carry a dry powder extinguisher, and I was really paranoid about car fires for a good time after.
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Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 11:35:59 GMT by BenzBoy
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Feb 20, 2011 11:45:36 GMT
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Feb 20, 2011 15:02:16 GMT
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Note that leaking brake/clutch fluid can burn too if sprayed onto something hot like a manifold.
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'83 GTM Coupe. 4A-GE Powered
'00 GTM Libra Auto. Ick.
'71 Detomaso Pantera. Current Resto
'89 GMC Safari Tow/Kip bus
'05 SAAB 9-3 Daily
'71 Siva Moonbug. Not even contemplating resto yet.
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Feb 20, 2011 16:21:44 GMT
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I allways change any rubber fuel hose for a newer neoprene lined unleaded safe one, buy it on a roll and use what you need and keep the rest for another car ;D
I allways change the clips to H/D ones and i allways carry 2 or 3 powder fire extinguishers cos lets face it when you in a panic you can never remember where the hell it is !
I'd deffo add a small fuse box, on my last Mk2 i used an aux one from a Mk2 granny, even had the ford badge on the lid so looked fairly OE
The thing with the Mk1 and 2 is the top of the tanks rot and so the fumes ebnter the passenger compartment through the back seat, the same if the filler hose is rotted ?
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R.I.P photobucket
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