Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

While trying to find references to plastics that have been burnt in a car fire, I found this page, discussing some of the problems firefighters have in dealing with cars on fire that feature airbags, gas struts and so on .. a couple of photos are a little grizzly, so don't read straight after a meal

http://www.airbagsystems.org/id1.html

RJ
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[dpr59]

Mines fibre glass.

In event of fire, bail out

[Brian M]

Strange this - when reading O-N's post about his acquisition of a burnt out 2CV I was reminded of a neighbour's 2CV that caught fire outside our house following a thief's attempt to get the radio out. The radio was on a permanent supply and a short circuit set fire to the felt under the dash.

The neighbour was more concerned about his prize cherry trees catching fire and was hosing them, with all the other neighbours shouting at him to get away before the petrol tank blew up.

Suddenly the filler cap went about 40 feet in the air, so we shouted even more for him to get away before the big bang.

The Fire Brigade arrived filled the interior with foam and the fire was out in a minute or so.

I asked the Fireman when the tank would have exploded and he told me that they never did except in films! With vented tanks there is never enough pressure even if the cap remains on the tank. On moderns the plastic tank melts and the petrol that flows out may catch fire but there is still no big bang.

Another myth exploded (sorry about that - I'll get my coat)
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

[62rebel]

considering that many parts of cars that USED to be steel are now composite ("plastic") and there are many electronic systems that remain "live" even when the car is switched off, and cars being what they are, poorly maintained by most people, and you begin to get the idea that road travel is not the wisest way!
i personally LOATH modern cars because of the dependence on high technology for simple tasks. simple faults in sensors can cause thousands of dollars' worth of damage; put a car out of commission for days until the fault is rectified; undermine the public faith in manufacturing and service; generally , put the whole works in the dustbin.
the latest boondoggle to be put across is "tyre pressure monitoring". all it really does, all it is meant to do, is to alert the driver that a tyre is out of spec pressure-wise. hence, the driver should stop and adjust pressure in the tyres. simple enough? NO! every time the alert goes off, the customer brings the car in to have it checked under warranty........... free of charge.

[xkjag-nz]

other hazards are o seals these are quite often made of fluorocarbon rubber
when heated over a certain temp (and if memory serves me correct its about 350 degC) which can happen in minor fires etc they break down and release flouric residue which when it comes into contact with moisture ie sweat etc turns to hydroflouric acid
very nasty stuff which can penetrate flesh and then eat the bone away it is also very diff to neutralize so carries on eating away until a suitable neutralizer is applied (calcium gluconate)
so be careful round those scrapyards!!

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/images/756148-773304-279.jpg

[Uncle Joe]

Where did the answer I posted on this topic go to? Does anyone know? (Rick?)

[Brian M]

[Uncle Joe]

Heres another that agrees as well.

Incidentally Brian, the Crank Position Sensor is a known trouble spot on most Chryslers, judging from what I've read on the net....