Date:         Sat, 2 Apr 2005 13:00:52 -0700
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      vanagon burns - insane person testing - do not attempt to
              duplicate
In-Reply-To:  <20050402155848.85611.qmail@web30206.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
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As I am currently very busy with a cutting torch on a vanagon I decided to
run some tests on flammability and how easy to extinguish.

The rubber around the engine bay does not ignite easily.  However once
started it can be put out very quickly if it is by itself.  I found that if
it was in contact with extremely hot metal it was very difficult to
extinguish.

Plastic in the engine area (air cleaner etc)  same thing.  Did not ignite
quickly, had a slow phase and then ignited fast and hard and hot.

The brownish fiberglass in the vehicle panels caught my attention because of
a recent thing about an aircraft fire several years ago.  Turns out it is
the same stuff.  When new it is fireproof, at the age it is in our vans it
is not fireproof any longer. It can ignite at a very low temp and then
smolder to a higher hotter temperature.

Several tests I did showed that a fire could be started in the engine bay
from electrical and not from fuel lines alone.  The alternator high current
wiring runs right next to a fuel line.  Several other wires in the engine
bay are not fused and run right over fuel lines.  I think I understand why
almost all newer vehicles have fuses in the alternator charge circuit.
Seriously thinking rewire on my van after the wiring tests.  Run a separate
alt line to the batt with fuse in line.

Note that all of these tests were run under very controlled situations and
still gave me some rather shocking info about the materials in the engine
bay and surrounding area. (I didn¹t want the fire dept showing up because I
overly alarmed my neighbors.)  the fuel line test I rigged up in by BBQ.
Some of the plastic and rubber tests were run in a metal container I rigged
up.  This I rigged up so that I could clamp it shut if needed.

The clothes I had on still reek of burnt rubber after washing. Restarted the
washer.

All the tests I did showed that a fire would have to be burning for a while
to reach critical points even if it was a fuel fire to start.

The final test was to let a combination rubber, plastic, and extremely hot
metal (used the torch to get the metal to melt temp) ignite and then hit it
with a one pound powder.)  unfortunately proved my theory.  Once the metal
has hit a temperature where it alone will sustain burn in the plastics and
rubbers the fire is not going to be stoppable with anything short of about a
10 pounder. Or about 5 gallons of water. If the metal is cooled enough the
rubber goes back to melting rather than burning. Note at this point your
engine should have run out of petrol fuel to burn and fortunately the
vanagon is not a bay bus with the tank right there, unless it is a syncro.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com