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Posted by: Jakeodoule Aug 5 2010, 04:00 PM

Poor bastard!

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/05/car-fire-proves-impossible-to-fight/

Posted by: Brent Aug 5 2010, 04:16 PM

Whats the best extinguisher to carry for our cars?

Posted by: underthetire Aug 5 2010, 04:23 PM

The kind with legs. As in run away.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Aug 5 2010, 04:49 PM

"Magnesium brakes"? Not bloody likely.

The Cap'n

Posted by: Steve Aug 5 2010, 05:00 PM

It was probably the magnesium brakes that caused the fire!! ROFL

Posted by: patssle Aug 5 2010, 05:08 PM

So why was a highly flamable material used in such large quantity on cars?

And the crazy part is, I was just thinking about the magnesium in my 1974 911 a couple days ago...

Posted by: corsepervita Aug 5 2010, 05:10 PM

Man, that was ALMOST me not long ago...

Poor guy - That is a scary feeling RIP poor little 911!

Posted by: davep Aug 5 2010, 05:25 PM

Quite right, those calipers are extremely rare and not likely to be found on a street car.

Posted by: pete-stevers Aug 5 2010, 05:26 PM

thank god it wasnt a coupe

Posted by: SLITS Aug 5 2010, 05:41 PM

Lightweight

Posted by: qa1142 Aug 5 2010, 05:43 PM

Wonder what he wants for the front rims?

Posted by: aircooledtechguy Aug 5 2010, 05:45 PM

I was thinkin' the same thing. . .

On the bright side, now I know where i can get my hands on a complete front 5-lug donor car. . .

Check those fuel lines folks!!!!!!!!

Posted by: messix Aug 5 2010, 07:10 PM

i believe halon is the only thing available and needs to be used in a semi closed environment. it's heaver than air and displaces the oxygen. if used shoot it into the the engine compartment with the lids closed.

co2 might work... very large quantity.

Posted by: ripper911 Aug 5 2010, 07:14 PM

Grr!

Posted by: iamchappy Aug 5 2010, 07:21 PM

Be over prepared. The more you can throw at it the better.......


Attached image(s)

Posted by: NC_Colfax Aug 5 2010, 07:38 PM

I watched a perfect Nissan 300ZX turbo burn one day.
It was a small fire in the wiring and the fire fighters destoryed the whole car while the owner cussed them. They could have put the fire in the engine bay out...but instead the beat the dash and windshield out to "see if the fire had spread" the owner was so mad the put him in a police cruiser until the firemen finished off the last of his car. Then they asked him who he wanted to tow the car. After he cussed them for about 5 minutes they called him a roll back.

I hate it for the 911 owner. But it is best to be safe and get away from the car. You can replace a car(most) but they can not replace you...

Posted by: koozy Aug 6 2010, 12:35 AM

The MFI cars have a risk of going up during a restart (amongst other things) after a stall. Funny little fuel squirters (cold start enrichment) prime the throttle bodies. I've seen several burnt air boxes from just such a scenario.

Posted by: Zaney Aug 6 2010, 03:12 PM

Really?? They couldn't put it out with a Dry Chem / water combo attack?

How much bigger is the 911 engine block compared to a VW Bus case?

I have put out many Bug and Bus engine fires that were burning the Magnesium case too. You just need MORE GPM! And not be afraid of a little Snap Crackle Pop!

True, Magnesium, especially in shredded or chip form can get going really quickly and burn really hot!!! Then, you either let it burn out or use special extinguish products to encase the burning metal.

But, a normal engine case should not have ignited that readily. Who knows what else was in the engine bay or its condition that contributed to the blaze?

Either way, too bad for the little German car

Posted by: ClayPerrine Aug 8 2010, 02:55 PM

Those fuel squirters are nicknamed "fire starters" and most mechanics either disconnect them or hook them to a manual switch in the driver's compartment. In stock form, they inject a short burst of fuel whenever you hit the key. Well, a hot engine doesn't need that.

Mine has been disconnected on my MFI motor. The only drawback is longer cranking times to get the engine started when it is cold. I may hook it to a manual switch to make it start easier.