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bug fire

Greetings again......it's been a long time since I've posted here, but I had to share this:

Today I was working on my '71 super. Wanted to take the gas tank out and check the connection of the rubber fuel line. Drained the tank, disconnected all the upper hoses, took off the fuel gauge connections, unbolted the hold downs, and started to lift the tank up when WHOOMP it burst into flames from below the tank. I took some flames to the face, lost half my beard but no further damage. Ran across the shop and grabbed the power washer hose and started reeling it towards the car. On the way back, i saw my boss trying to blow the flames out......he'd lean forward and blow, the flames would flare up, he'd lean back, then lean forward and blow again, He looked like one of those toy drinking birds, that dips into the glass, and I told him so later on. I yelled for him to get clear, cuz i was about to use water on a gas fire. This does work, if you KNOW there isn't much gas, and you KNOW you have unlimited water. If the tank had been full I'd have used a dry chemical extinguisher. One blast from the hose put the flames out. Minimal damage, just some scorch marks is all the underhood area took. The tank never did burn inside.

Now, how did this happen? I was not smoking at the time. Maybe threw a spark from metal to metal contact while I lifted out the tank? I had the ignition off, but the battery was still connected. No pinched wires were found under the tank when I did lift it out.

Hey, helluva way to start the new year.

Reply to
masqqqqqqq
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You already found the most possible source. A spark from metal to metal friction. maybe you rubbed the tank against the edge.

What I do everytime i want to remove the tank, is to drain it, unplug al hoses, remove the sender and leave it open while I go grab something to eat and a coke. That won't extract all the fumes, but it gives it a good time to ventilate.

BTW, marshmallows and bugs get along real good.

Karls

Reply to
Karls

Glad to hear you're ok and only burned part of the beard.

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Reply to
Dennis Wik

Maybe that had nothing to do with the fire, but it is more than just a good idea to always disconnect the battery. I am glad you are okay. (The bit about your boss looking like a dunking bird was hilarious. Made my day.)

Reply to
Etoin Shurdlu

You should have disconnected the battery. There are a lot of wires with power near the fuel tank even with the ignition off. I don't understand how a PRO can do such mistake.

Joao

72 Super 1302
Reply to
joao_eliseu

and the armchair mechanics *always* know best....excuse me while i go roll my eyes....

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

I'm waiting for the day Mister Armchair spills beer into his electric lounger.

Reply to
Etoin Shurdlu

No worries, he keeps the armchair battery disconnected at all times to keep himself safe. Little spilling is to be expected, so better be safe.

:)

Jan

Reply to
Jan Andersson

"I don't understand how a PRO can do such mistake."

::::looking around::::::: who's a PRO? My main job is HVAC installation and repair for a plumbing and heating shop. They're good enough to let me work on my car in the building. I don't think I even qualify as an 'arm chair mechanic" because I spend a minimum amount of time in an arm chair. Can't spend much time in an arm chair and have a

9 percent body fat at 195 pounds. (I can also slam dunk a basketball, and I'm 51 years old) but I digress....... This is the third beetle I've restored, and I'm sure I still make plenty of mistakes. Not a pro at all, but very versatile. (specialization is for insects). When I'm not working on a beetle, I make those "Peace Sign Emblems" you can find in the Mid America Motorworks catalog. Also build wood strip canoes, field knives and leather sheaths, hunting bows and arrows, and I'm perfecting an invention that will double the power of bicycle pedals without increasing effort, or pedal travel. So you see, hardly a PRO at beetle restoration and repair. I have also completed a college major in English at the University of Wisconsin. If you like, I can use a red marker on your line "I don't understand how a PRO can do such mistake.", and send it back to you.
Reply to
masqqqqqqq

nope...not at all.... the armchair mechanics are the ones that spout off from their armchair...this time it happened the spouting was aimed at you....

it is good to see you posting again, it has been a long time.....you are one of the "old timers" from when i came here nearly ten years ago...good to see you are still around and still playing with the vw's...also good to see you are still making your emblems.....(i don't even look at the Mid America Motorworks catalog)

Bugninva\ Chris Perdue

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

Like Joey Tribiani says "you are one of the "old timers"" so you should be a PRO messing with ACVW :) When you are installing a HVAC the first thing you do is connect the power?

Joao

Reply to
joao_eliseu

I snipped the on-topic material. So shoot me.

Uh oh. I have a funny feeling I know the approach you are using. The bike crank has been begging for some serious reconsideration. Hope it works for you and you make a ton of money!

-- vw and bicycle guy - john

Reply to
Etoin Shurdlu

I hope I didn't offend you calling you a PRO. It was not my intention and if I did my apologies. I thought that you were a PRO because you said you were with your boss

Joao

Reply to
joao_eliseu

I do think that the problem was caused by an electrostatic spark

Joao

Reply to
joao_eliseu

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