PSA : Please carry a fire extinguisher...

[Yeahrightgreer]

Most of us know the importance of an extinguisher but I know there is still members who don’t carry one in their car.

Was going out for a late night drive. slowly started to smell something burning that I can tell wasn’t coolant, oil, fluid etc. The dreaded smell of copper wire and insulation....

Pulled over and the cabin started rushing with smoke. Smoke and flames in the engine bay. Quickly pulled off the ground cable and grabbed the extinguisher.

The starter wire rubbed through and shorted to the block. I was parked directly over dry brittle grass as well. If I didn’t have my extinguisher I think I very may well of lost the car tonight.

Please if you don’t carry an extinguisher in your car, go to Home Depot or Lowe’s, you can get a pack of 2 for 50 bucks. We aren’t driving 2020 Cadillacs or Camrys; especially those of us that Daily drive these 40-50 year old car. It’s almost a guarantee something will go wrong eventually..

 

[Turboomni]

Glad you saved your Daytona. Every few years I replace that high pressure fuel rubber line going into the fuel rail on my Omni Glhs cause if that sprayed a fine 55 psi mist of fuel onto the exhaust manifold it would be devastating. Fire extinguisher is a must.

 

[1970cat]

nice daytona. glad you could save it.

 

[Turboomni]

Don't bother with a fire extinguisher with a Tesla though.

Safety experts say the only way to extinguish a lithium-ion battery inside a car is with thousands of gallons of water, much more than what it takes to stop a fire in a typical gasoline engine. The other option is to just let it burn itself out

 

[Gerald Morris]

First month I had Mathilda, a broken driver side motor mount allowed the engine to ride up and short the alternator charging stud. It busted the stud in fact, and ALSO STARTED A NASTY FIRE fueled by all the circuits wired to that primary charging circuit. I got the car hot-wired (pun intended and accurate) and drove it the very short distance required to get it home, rewired all the ruined circuits in heavier gauge stuff, because I like to over-engineer for safety. I went through another couple motor mounts before finally using a chain as a torque strap to stop the mounts from breaking.

Yes, a fire extinguisher would have saved me SOME trouble that April night nearly 5 yrs ago, as would have some decent overcurrent protection, but I had only got Tilly a month prior and had little matters like the BRAKES to attend to and such, and thought the wiring was "ok." I have an extinguisher in the trunk now, but think I'll get one more automobile friendly like the dry sort. As I tell my wee ones, automobiles are ROLLING BOMBS, EVEN THE MOST MODERN ONES. 25 gallons of heptane and ethanol have considerable energy to liberate via oxidation. I'd rather not have my Detroit Missile detonate while me and Family are in it.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Don't bother with a fire extinguisher with a Tesla though.

Safety experts say the only way to extinguish a lithium-ion battery inside a car is with thousands of gallons of water, much more than what it takes to stop a fire in a typical gasoline engine. The other option is to just let it burn itself out

QED, ANY source of enough motive power to move a ton or 2 around at any speed above walking CAN DESTROY A LOT when the energy in the power source is suddenly released.

 

[Turboomni]

Basically what they said. What is QED anyways?

 

[marko]

latin for "what has been shown" or something like that

 

[cantflip]

Don't bother with a fire extinguisher with a Tesla though.

Safety experts say the only way to extinguish a lithium-ion battery inside a car is with thousands of gallons of water, much more than what it takes to stop a fire in a typical gasoline engine. The other option is to just let it burn itself out

If you don't have a nearby swimming pool to park in... don't bring water to a lithium fire...

 

[halifaxhops]

Tell you what it saved my dart when I had a engine fire. Powder is seriously corrosive, now I carry a CO2 only!

 

[detmatt]

I keep extinguishers in all my drivers. You obviously never know when you might need one or happen upon someone that does.
Excellent thread @Yeahrightgreer , I’m glad for the happy ending.

 

[Yeahrightgreer]

Tell you what it saved my dart when I had a engine fire. Powder is seriously corrosive, now I carry a CO2 only!

The powder extinguishers may save your car but better hope it doesn’t make its way down the intake...

I carry a Halon extinguisher in my Satellite. The cost was a kick in the butt but after about 10k in this motor it’s the least I could do...

How do CO2 extinguishers stack up to Halon and powder stuff?

 

[3175375]

latin for "what has been shown" or something like that

“quod erat demonstrandum", literally meaning "what was to be shown"
It is used when proving theorems.

 

[azblackhemi]

Great thread here about an important subject to save our cars from a disaster. Along with protecting your investment with a fire extinguisher this might be a good time to remind everyone about having the proper insurance on your car in the event you aren't able to save it. Classic car insurance from one of the reputable companies is not that expensive. I had my 66 NY'er and 48 Desoto insured with Haggerty for $15000 and $25000 plus liability for $505 a year. Not a lot of money compared to what we have invested in our rides.

 

[halifaxhops]

Grundy covered mine and It was only on a week before! Could not believe it.

 

[glhs0075]

Glad you saved your Daytona. Every few years I replace that high pressure fuel rubber line going into the fuel rail on my Omni Glhs cause if that sprayed a fine 55 psi mist of fuel onto the exhaust manifold it would be devastating. Fire extinguisher is a must.

THIS! So many turbo mopars have been lost because of this rubber fuel line failing.
OP, so glad you saved your Daytona. Nice car!

 

[C Sickness]

The other lesson here is.............. stash a tool that can quickly break the battery negative lead. Maybe under the hood.

Or a QUALITY battery switch.

 

[3C's & a D?]

How do CO2 extinguishers stack up to Halon and powder stuff?

What they all have on common is that they try to starve the fire of oxygen. The powder style is the cheapest, "least effective", yet still quite effective, but they do make a mess, and the powder is very unhealthy if you happen to inhale some.

CO2 extinguishers are called for around heavy electrical loads, leave zero residue, and can turn a warm six pack into a cold one in seconds.

Halon is superior to CO2, something to do with the properties of the gas. I didn't even know you could get it in a hand held.

Tell you what it saved my dart when I had a engine fire. Powder is seriously corrosive, now I carry a CO2 only!

What size CO2 tank do you carry in your car? They are usually on the larger side.

I'm glad the original poster was able to save his car. That's the best twenty bucks you can put in your car. Most will never need it, but when you do... I keep one in the kitchen too.

 

[Turboomni]

Actually how often should you replace them when not used? Mine are pretty old.

 

[3C's & a D?]

Actually how often should you replace them when not used? Mine are pretty old.

Where liability comes into play is at the ten year mark on the tank, recharged gas at five years, even if it's still reading good. For personal use, as long as the gauge shows pressure, it should be good.