I need a fire extinguisher

95strokerPSU · Jun 16, 2006

Well last night I was leaving a bar and all of a sudden my car fell flat on it's face and all I could smell was fuel. I pulled over on a side street, shut it off, and popped the hood. Flipped open my phone and immediatly saw fuel puddled right below where the fuel line meets the rail. The feed line had popped off! I got it back on and cleaned up the spilled fuel and everything was fine, but it made me realize that it might be handy to have a fire extinguisher in the car. I should have my roll bar in by the end of the month and I figure I can mount it to the back seat bar behind the drivers seat. But which one should I get? I found this on eBay, any good?....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIV...categoryZ33722QQihZ019QQitemZ8075248964QQrdZ1

BTW the reason it popped off is because over the winter when I took everything apart, I tried to get the line off the rail with the quick disconnect tool but could get it off and decided to just keep the rails attached and move them to the side. I guess I partially dislodged the spring and last night it just gave out. When I put it back on, I did hear a click so I assume it's okay, but I'll definitely be checking on it regularly.

Dave

1TallMF · Jun 16, 2006

Wow, things could have gone a helluvalot worse, good to hear it didn't ignite. I almost had that happen to me once also, after disconnecting the fuel rail to take the heads of my dad's car, when I put it back on I heard a click, but when I went to double check everything before starting up the car again, I gave a pull on the line and it just came right off the rail.
That extinguisher you listed is a pretty good price, but I always wonder about ebay at cheap prices, when it comes to your own safety, its best not to go cheap on it. There are alot of reputable companies that sell specialised automotive extinguishers, they're usually not too expensive IIRC.

gcomfx.com · Jun 16, 2006

Might ask some of our volunteer firefighters on here, but if I remember correctly, there are two different types of extinguishers..... one is cheap, but will be a PITA to clean off the engine bay later, and the other is expensive, but doesn't damage things.

95strokerPSU · Jun 16, 2006

gcomfx.com said:
Might ask some of our volunteer firefighters on here, but if I remember correctly, there are two different types of extinguishers..... one is cheap, but will be a PITA to clean off the engine bay later, and the other is expensive, but doesn't damage things.

Yeah I definitely want the non damaging one as I have a lot of time and money into the appearance to the engine/engine bay.

HISSIN50 · Jun 16, 2006

Dave, Paul is right. Sodium Bicarb can be quite corrosive. It seems to me that Halon would be the way to go, though it's a little more expensive (they banned it awhile back because it allows the sun to burn the flesh off our heads, but I think you can get it again).

Definately research it - I mean any extinguisher is better than nothing (Dont ask how I know that a baseball mitt will put out a fire) but if buying a new extinguisher, might as well get one that totally suits your needs.

Good luck.

dls322 · Jun 16, 2006

Well to make your choice you have to understand what the ratings are. There are classifications on the extinguishers. These are listed reguardless of whats in the container...ie..pressureized water or Carbon dioxide. The types are: A - This rating will extinguish a burning solid
B - This will put out a combustable liquid...like a grease fire or burning fuel
C - This is for putting out an electrified fire, like an outlet on fire or whatever.
D - Is for a combustable explosive metal
K - Is for the special for industrial kitchens that have fat friers.

BC extinguisher with dry chemical would work but you'll have a mess.
I would recommend a Carbon dioxide extinguisher because they extinguish the fire cleanly by taking away all the oxygen.
You'll never find a Halon extinguisher. Stay away from ABC chemical extinguisher because they extinguish a fire by releasing a chemical that turns into a plastic coating that smothers the fire...this will ruin your engine compartment....but worst come to worse it's better than nothing.

Hope this helps..........by the way i'm a firefighter..

95strokerPSU · Jun 16, 2006

dls322 said:
Well to make your choice you have to understand what the ratings are. There are classifications on the extinguishers. These are listed reguardless of whats in the container...ie..pressureized water or Carbon dioxide. The types are: A - This rating will extinguish a burning solid
B - This will put out a combustable liquid...like a grease fire or burning fuel
C - This is for putting out an electrified fire, like an outlet on fire or whatever.
D - Is for a combustable explosive metal
K - Is for the special for industrial kitchens that have fat friers.

BC extinguisher with dry chemical would work but you'll have a mess.
I would recommend a Carbon dioxide extinguisher because they extinguish the fire cleanly by taking away all the oxygen.
You'll never find a Halon extinguisher. Stay away from ABC chemical extinguisher because they extinguish a fire by releasing a chemical that turns into a plastic coating that smothers the fire...this will ruin your engine compartment....but worst come to worse it's better than nothing.

Hope this helps..........by the way i'm a firefighter..

Is a carbon dioxide as effective as a BC? It seems all the ones I'm finding online are BC, and as long as it doesn't have damaging effects, I don't mind spending a couple hours cleaning if it's gonna stop by car from blowing up.

95strokerPSU · Jun 16, 2006

Apparently you can get Halon, but I think I'll pass based on the price...
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/fire1.htm

gustang818 · Jun 16, 2006

Have you ever seen a product called Cold Fire? It non-toxic and said to rapidly snuff out A,B, and D fires while leaving virtually no residue. They make vehicle fire suppression systems as well as hand held extinguishers. Their website is www.coldfiresupersystems.com and you should look at the fire demo link on the main menu--this stuff is amazing.

Swarzkopf · Jun 16, 2006

Just keep a bucket of water in the car.

i'm just kidding don't flame me

95strokerPSU · Jun 16, 2006

Well I was leaving the bar and completely smashed...I probably could have thrown up on it or taken a 5 minute beer piss.

JK I only had a couple beers. I don't risk driving drunk, especially not with that car.

pleasehelp · Jun 16, 2006

+2 on coldfire. I've seen it used on trucks tv and it seem really good. I think you can mix this stuff yourself from concentrate. Here is more info on it: http://www.greaterthings.com/News/ColdFire/pr031122.html

The Green GT · Jun 17, 2006

Yea everysince I have been installing electrical stuff in my car I figured it would be nice to have an extinguisher. Id hate to be on the side of the road and my car was on fire and I couldnt do jack.

I need a fire extinguisher

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