Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 16:41:45 -0800
Reply-To: Davidson <wdavidson@JPS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Davidson <wdavidson@JPS.NET>
Subject: Re: WHEW! Saved from possible fire!! ($2.98 for Gas Hose and
Clamps)
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Debi
I was driving in Santa Rosa yesterday. I came up to an intersection with a
traffic jam. It was caused by a fire truck and a bunch of firemen spraying
water on a vehicle fire in the middle of the intersection. It was a Westy.
Maybe an '85 or so. My heart sank when I drove by and saw all the water
flooding the engine and the inside cabinets and carpets and mattress. The
water was flowing and the smoke was pouring out of that poor Westy. There
was soot everywhere. It was a total disaster. I bet it was those dreaded
fuel hoses. I wondered how long it took the fire department to get there.
An eternity I'm sure. I felt so sorry for the owner who probably had no
idea that the hoses should be checked/replaced. I love this 'list'.
After reading a few of the cautionary fire postings a couple of months ago
I adopted this strategy:
1. Check the fuel hoses regularly and replace at the slightest sign of age.
Maybe replace at 8 years no matter how good they look.
2. Stop and shut off the engine I if smell gas.
3. I have 2- 2 1/2 LB fire extinguishers... a BC behind the driver's seat
(if figure this would be the one I would get to first in an engine fire...
and a ABC by the slider door (if the cabinets, carpet, etc caughts fire an
ABC would be needed and it can be used on the engine too if the BC doesn't
do the trick.)
4. Cut the spring on the license plate door so that it doesn't spring up on
its own. I think this would be helpful in a fire emergency. I don't want
the hot metal door springing up to burn my hand and make the job of
spraying the extinguisher up into the engine compartment more difficult.
5. I want to find a heat sensor to install in the engine compartment that
will give a loud audio alarm in the event of fire. I plan to check the
Marine stores. (anyone know of a heat sensor that will work and where to
get it?)
I think this strategy is a relatively cheap way to, firstly, limit the
possibility of a fuel fire, and secondly, to maximize the quickness and
effectiveness of my response should the unthinkable become reality.
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
Lake Tahoe
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From: Debi Tippets <debi@YOSEMITE.NET>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Subject: WHEW! Saved from possible fire!! ($2.98 for Gas Hose and Clamps)
Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 3:27 PM
MtnGal here...
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO CHECK YOUR HOSES!!!
When I realized how much I'm falling in love with my 7 Passenger Vanagon,
AND the impact it would have on our family to go back to the car for the
only form of transportation I couldn't avoid it any longer...
You never know what you'll find!! It scared the $ # ! % out of me when I
found a leak that was barely noticeable, but left a trail of gas (cost me
$2.98 and 1/2 hour to fix).
Think about it. It's well worth the time and
effort!
Besides, I don't know which one of my kids I could look in the face and
say:
"I didn't take the time because....."
I hope this helps at least 1 van to a longer happier road life..... ;)
Debi Tippets
84 VW-Vanagon GL BRONZE