Car Caught Fire!

[skywalker]

Someone console me!

Was leaving school yesterday, engine flooded. No big deal, wait a couple minutes right? Tried to state it back up and boom! Backfire. A couple second later smoke sstarts pouring out from under the hood. Lift the hood and the carb is burning. Someone ran for a fire extinguisher and the police showed up within about 2 minutes and put it out. Insurance is going to cover it AND waive my deductible! None the less, my engine compartment is filled w/ AFFF (fire extinguisher stuff), basically every hose is gone, some of the wires were damaged (I think), I am worried about my holley carb's condition, and hey I dont have my car for X days (although, I'm going to be gone for the next 2 weeks to Yuma, so the last problem is negligible.)

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

Whew!

Sounds like you got off easy there man. Just a little public service announcement for anyone that doesn't carry a fire extinguisher.

Hope it goes back together ok.

 

[skywalker]

yeah, btw, I recommend getting of them.

 

[electricgreen]

Most judged shows require them I have one painted to match my 00, and I'm going to have a yellow one for the 73 soon (gotta get it primed, and painted).

Glad to here the car wasn't a write off, and at least you're ok.

 

[HistoricMustang]

Any rubber hose between the tank and carb is bad.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[GaPonyFarm]

You might consider a Halon extinguisher...should you have a fire, you won't have all that residue to clean off. It took me a month to get my engine & compartment clean after I got a fire from oil leaking down onto my headers, and used an ABC extinguisher on it.

BTW if the carb burned for two minutes, there's a good chance the aluminum severely weakend. Check it real close before using it.

 

[XeonTux]

You might consider a Halon extinguisher...

Isn't halon the stuff used in mainframe computer rooms, and extremely poisonous to humans who haven't evacuated before it goes off?

 

[65stanger]

Isn't halon the stuff used in mainframe computer rooms, and extremely poisonous to humans who haven't evacuated before it goes off?

Use of a halon extinguisher outdoors would pose no health problems to the user because it would dissipate rapidly, however it would also be ineffective against the fire as they are meant to supplant the oxygen in a room and smother the fire.....A CO2 extinguisher would be a better choice, but you still have the dissipation problem......................And of course a dry chemical ABC extinguisher is the best choice....but then there is the residue problem NEVER USE WATER on a car fire!

Personally, I go for the dry chemical ABC extinguisher....it is easier to clean the residue than rebuild a car that's been crisped.

 

[MrBobMarley]

Glad you and the car are ok. This is exactly why I'm going EFI, althoug I know carbs CAN be reliable too. I have grown to love EFI.

 

[69 302/351c]

Glad you and the stang will survive. I have two extinguishers in my 69, one in the trunk and one in the front passenger floorboard. Plus 3 more in my basement garage. Can't be too safe. What did you have for an air cleaner?

 

[Edbert]

I lost a 67 S-Code GT Fastback to a fire in 1984, purely an electrical event, no fuel involved. In fact the engine compartment survived, but the interior was gutted. My current 67 already has an ABC extinguisher in it and it has no electrical system at all yet

 

[Stang_1973]

Well at least you will be able to get it fixed.
I think every body here knows how such an awsome car can go down in flames. Remember Mach1one's beast of a car.

Shout out to the big bodied white mach.

 

[ARTTII]

Where did you guys buy your fire extinguishers at? I think I had better get one after reading this...

 

[Edbert]

Remember Mach1one's beast of a car.

Shout out to the big bodied white mach.

Indeed, now he just hangs out in the late model forums. I guess it is too painlful for him to come back here.

 

[GaPonyFarm]

Where did you guys buy your fire extinguishers at? I think I had better get one after reading this...

I got a polished aluminum extinguisher from Autozone, for car shows. I have one from Home Depot that I carry for everyday use. The little ones are good for show, but not much for fighting a serious fire... IMHO

 

[electricgreen]

I got both of mine at Walmart. The one in the 00 is a 2.5lb, the Mach's is a 5lb. I'm sure neither would be sufficent in the event of a large scale fire, but hopefully we would catch it before it became too large to fight. The smaller ones are easier to mount, imo (well, actually the Mach's weill be mounted in the pass compartment, the 00's is in the trunk).

I was wondering what happened to mach1one, I knew about his car, I figured he'd still stick around though....

 

[Timmy]

Make sure you know how to use you fire extinguisher. Yes, there is a right and a wrong way to use it.

I was on the first response fire team in the Air Force (not my primary job) and you wouldn’t believe how many people didn’t know how to put out a fire with an extinguisher event though they thought they did.

I know it’s not the manly thing to do but READ THE INSTRUCTIONS before you need to use it. Heck, for that matter, buy a cheap one, start a small controlled gas fire (not on your car) and practice putting it out.

The car you save just might be your own.

Just my 2 cents

 

[electricgreen]

Aim at the base (source) of the fire, not the flames

 

[speedy66]

When my 66 caught fire I was standing over the carb when it boomed... carb flooded and my electric choke wire got disconnected and sparked the fire.... not good new.. I know how you feel..


What kinda carb was it? Holley?

 

[StangDreamin']

Everybody is recommending the extinguishers from the "CheckerZoneBoys"; and they make good ones. However, I've got a 5 lb bottle in the Rice-Eating Chebbie and a 2-1/2 in the Mrs' Ram - and both came from (Home Depot? Lowes? I forget). Both are the old reliable dry-powder type; work great but nasty to clean up (try a grease fire on a stove - we got a new stove ). The chemicals are the same, the use is the same the price is better.

One thing to watch - the 5lb bottle is refillable by twisting off the neck/trigger assembly. From past experience (not in my vehicle, thankfully); a bottle rolling around in the trunk can loosen the neck and you lose all the nitrogen propellant. Squeeze the trigger and nothing happens They come with hold-down brackets for a reason.

Enjoy your stay in Yuma - I'm guessing you're coming down for Desert Talon II? Local PRCA Rodeo is the weekend of the 14th; they'll have Military tickets at Station MCCS.


Still Dreamin'