PSA- Keep An Extinguisher Handy!!!

[Doc Sprocket]

Well- that was entertaining!

I just set fire to The Green Machine!

I needed to re-do the support bracket for the muffler. Garry and I had just had a total blast racing each other up and down the driveway- him on the Green Machine, me on the Alley Kat. We did have a bucketload o' fun!

Anyhoo- I've got everything aligned, and ready to weld. I hit the trigger, and after about a second of welding, realized the engine was on fire! The whole carb and some surrounding area was engulfed in flames!!! I ran into the garage, grabbed my extinguisher, and let 'er have it...

I didn't notice anything wet, because we've had some rain. I didn't notice the smell of the fuel because I've got a cold and am rather stuffed up... Damage was limited to the PCV hose, the rubber sheath around the plug wire, and the rubber grommet that the throttle rod hooks into on the carb.

Closer inspection revealed that a wee bit of debris had prevented the inlet needle from seating, and not only was there enough fuel to drool out the carb, soaking itself, but it hydrolocked the engine!

SO- We tore the carb off, and cleared the valve seat. Yanked out the plug and cleared the cylinder. A quick test fire to make sure the damage wasn't worse, and everything seems ok. Just have to deal with the damages.

So remember folks- spit happens. If you're going to weld or grind, make sure you've got that extinguisher at the ready. It could have been a lot worse, and you can't always foresee a problem!

 

[machinist@large]

Well- that was entertaining!

I just set fire to The Green Machine!

I needed to re-do the support bracket for the muffler. Garry and I had just had a total blast racing each other up and down the driveway- him on the Green Machine, me on the Alley Kat. We did have a bucketload o' fun!

Anyhoo- I've got everything aligned, and ready to weld. I hit the trigger, and after about a second of welding, realized the engine was on fire! The whole carb and some surrounding area was engulfed in flames!!! I ran into the garage, grabbed my extinguisher, and let 'er have it...

I didn't notice anything wet, because we've had some rain. I didn't notice the smell of the fuel because I've got a cold and am rather stuffed up... Damage was limited to the PCV hose, the rubber sheath around the plug wire, and the rubber grommet that the throttle rod hooks into on the carb.

Closer inspection revealed that a wee bit of debris had prevented the inlet needle from seating, and not only was there enough fuel to drool out the carb, soaking itself, but it hydrolocked the engine!

SO- We tore the carb off, and cleared the valve seat. Yanked out the plug and cleared the cylinder. A quick test fire to make sure the damage wasn't worse, and everything seems ok. Just have to deal with the damages.

So remember folks- spit happens. If you're going to weld or grind, make sure you've got that extinguisher at the ready. It could have been a lot worse, and you can't always foresee a problem!

OH,MAN!!! That could have been SOOOOOO much worse. Glad to hear no one got hurt.

Let me second what you just said; When welding, using a torch,or grinding, make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy- preferably no more than 5~10 steps away, with nothing in between to slow you down if you need to use it in anger. And don't quibble about the price; which is cheaper- a $40.00 fire extinguisher or your house or car? That's the list price on the A:B:C rated Kidde brand model I looked up at Home Depot- www.homedepot.com


I couldn't figure out how to direct-link the exact model, but it was their whole home model.

Guys, listen to Toystory; what could have been a major catastrophe was only a dose of unwanted excitement because he had the extinguisher and had it where he could reach it. Having the thing in the basement when you're need to prevent disaster in the garage isn't good enough.

There, I'll get off the soapbox now.

 

[jamyers]

As somebody who once almost made the evening news with an out-of-control grassfire, I can attest to the speed of flame.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

i was checking spark on a very old engine, and didnt know that the gas tank had a hole in it.

i had spark!

 

[OzFab]

My extinguisher doubles as a door stop, that way I always know where it is

 

[tundrabeagle3]

when ever I weld something on my bike I cover my motor and anything flammable with an old towel soaked in water.

 

[landuse]

when ever I weld something on my bike I cover my motor and anything flammable with an old towel soaked in water.

I also use a cover when welding close to my motor.

 

[Nodroz]

when ever I weld something on my bike I cover my motor and anything flammable with an old towel soaked in water.

That's a good idea, thanks!

I guess it's about time to buy an extinguisher soon. I've already had somebody's clothes burning...
Glad nothing serious happened that, toystory.

 

[Mcbreja]

I'm also glad to hear that no one got hurt. That can be a scary experience (mine was finding out there was hole in the gasline on the grill).

 

[souperman000]

If you want to be professional, throw this on your engine

http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...-x-6-ft-fiberglass-welding-blanket-67833.html

found it while browsing and thought of this converstaion.

 

[Blazkowiez]

I keep a FULL SIZE industrial fire extinguisher under the passenger seat of my truck.... this sort of stuff happens more than you know and it really doesn't cost that much for a re-charge versus lets say all the hoses on your engine.