daverclasper Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 Hi everyone Wondering what are the main causes of cars (especially classics) catching fire and any preventative/emergency measures please. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 Electrical. Usually added parts. I had a fire after the prof fitted od wiring chaffed and shorted. No fuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Groves Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Got to be electrical on older cars due to the lack of fuses. I saw the wire from the ignition to dizzy melt in front of me on my car some years back (see pic), I now have several fuse boxes and all circuits are protected. Someone like http://www.autosparks.co.uk/ sell everything you'd need, and it would definitely reduce the risk of your pride & joys going up in smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 My old herald had a small engine bay fire, wife driving, kids in the the back (5 and 3 at the time) but luckily somebody stopped with an extinguisher... That was caused by an alternator fault, at least it appeared to be from my investigations. And you do not fuse an alternator (at least not in older cars) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Leaking carbs increase the risk. I bought a new electrical petrol pump that turned out to deliver a much higher pressure than stated by the supplier. The result was flooding carbs, with lots of fuel drown on the exhaust manifold and garage floor. Check your carbs and hoses for leakage, replace old and cracked hoses. Having an extinguisher both in the car and in your garage is also a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Counter intuitively, brake fluid is far more likely to catch fire than petrol when dripped on hot exhaust. Also agree with more fuses and relays, I'm in the process of doing my car. The head lights on a GT6 have NO fuse and ALL the current goes through the dashboard switch. I bought one of theses at a ridiculously cheap price from China and it is fit for purpose. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H4-9003-Headlight-Booster-Wire-Harness-Connector-Relay-Fuse-Socket-/390938014554?hash=item5b05b8b35a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Another argument for using silicone brake fluid,I have used it for years in my Vitesse. In the process of upgrading the headlight wiring with heavier wire, fuses, relays and ceramic headlight sockets. Checked the voltage drop before I started and was surprised how large it is. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Brake fluid a fire risk? More details please. To help you, this from Garrett, a US based forensic engineering company, "What auto fluids burn?" Just about any! http://garrett-engineers.com/2005/10/what-auto-fluids-burn/ John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 A quick search on the inter web and the first link is this. http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/9th-may-1991/87/brake-fluid-fire-risk This is not where I first read it, I can't remember where, but I think Uncle Pete has also mentioned it on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyCrews Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 I once had a cloud of smoke from under the dashboard of my 13/60 convertible. Turn out that someone had 'repaired' the wiring by jamming a bare wire into a bullet connector with a live match! Result one short and extensive repairs. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 I find things on my car, bare wires wrapped in electrical tape. I think "Who the hell did this?!!" Then I think "It must have been me 30 years ago!" I take consolation from the fact that I now know how it should be done so I must have improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Another argument for using silicone brake fluid,I have used it for years in my Vitesse. Paul I've tried to find silicone petrol but to no avail.... My GT6 was dripping petrol onto the manifold last week which gave me a few heartstopping moments, but thankfully no fire. Overheating electrical cables would be my first worry, followed by sticking brakes that glow alarmingly red when sufficiently hot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkel Kunkel Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 I had fitted a new stainless fuel tank. to a Scimitar I had in the 70's. Returning home from putting the 20 galls needed to fill it, I noticed a steady stream of petrol coming from under the car.It was very obvious that I had not fitted the cork gasket properly where the tank sender unit is fitted into the tank Moments later, with the car on ramps I was frantically trying to re-position the sender unit joint to save the precious fluid which was now running down my arm and forming a large pool under my shoulder and beginning to soak my shirt. The approaching voice of my neighbour caused me to panic.Derek was an very amiable alcoholic but he invariably had a fag dangling from between his fingers (as per the compere on the Wheel Tappers and Shunters Club) Ignoring my shout of " For Christ's sake, keep back!" he bent unsteadily down to peer under the car with a silly puzzled grin and ,sure enough there was the glowing ciggie now dropping fag ash into the petrol pool. Luckily nothing happened but I have never moved so fast as when I got from under that car and ran to distance myself from him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now