Mikelly Posted November 7, 2000 Share Posted November 7, 2000 A few weeks ago I suffered a minor fire in the rear of my car. I wanted to pass along a word of warning about "The Insulator" insulation matting... the stuff can be VERY flamable and should only be used inside the car, not on the outside. I had used some of it on the underside of my rear deck between the fuel cell, exhaust and the rear deck to help with sound and heat. I had also used the matting on the inside of the trunk as well. During fillup at a gas station I had apparently had a slight mist of gas get on the matting between the cell and the exhaust. I paid for my gas, went to the restroom, and came out and got in my car and started to leave the station... and noticed a smell of something burning. I looked back into the hatch and noticed a bit of smoke coming through by the battery box... I backed the car up away from the pumps and got out with some water and doused the flames I could see, then got an extinguisher and hit the whole area for good measure. Then I drove the car up the street to a car wash and hosed the whole rear underside off real good and then drove the car home. No damage to anything but the wire running to the fuel guage, but it could have been much worse. I'm currently looking into the NASCAR/ NHRA heat barrier stuff you bruch on and I'm also looking at the "Phoinex" brand and a few other fire systems to install in the car while I'm re-doing the project over the winter. I caution all of you guys to re-evaluate your cars for safety. I didn't think I would have an issue like that, but I did, you might to! Safe driving! Mike ------------------ "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Bayley Posted November 7, 2000 Share Posted November 7, 2000 ...WOW, that's a little too close for me. I'm suddenly remembering why I have two fire extinguishers on board. Glad to hear that nobody (or nothing) was hurt. -Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted November 7, 2000 Share Posted November 7, 2000 Good tip Mike, got my extinguisher mounted too. If any of you don't have one on board, GET ONE. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 7, 2000 Share Posted November 7, 2000 Glad to hear no damage Mike. I also have my extinguisher nice & close to hand... Can't help but be a little paranoid when one has made so many mods.... Ross C's point about the wrap is interesting. I was at a club track day last w/end where a nicely prepped MR2 turbo went woof. It had header wrap... I wonder. Didn't get a chance to talk to the owner (he was OK, but probably didn't feel like talking). The fire was, I think, limited to the engine bay. It may not have been the wrap, though. But boy it was crowded in there. Lotsa stuff that woulda got very hot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted November 8, 2000 Share Posted November 8, 2000 Emphasizes just one eason I don't like header wraps. Easy sponge for an oil leak from most anywhere (valve covers/intake/dizzy etc) and definitely exposed to heat and potential spark (starter wires etc..). good reminder Mike, got my extinguisher too:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MYRON Posted November 8, 2000 Share Posted November 8, 2000 I got a buddy that built his own experimental aircraft in his garage. Really cool deal, but that is a different story. He also has a 71 corvette Stingra with a 454 and side pipes... He used this avaition grade heat shield like stuff on the open pipes of the airplane to keep the heat in the right place. It is not a wrap, but more like a plyable sheet. It looks like layers of tin foil with matting in between.... He also used it on his vette and it works really well... It is very expensive but may be worth looking into.. since it is not a wrap it will not keep moisture or heat in, just keep it from spreading to places it is not supposed to be... Myron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted November 12, 2000 Share Posted November 12, 2000 If it's on an airplane Aircraft Spruce and Supply shoudl have it. They sell some purty carbon fiber too - their FREE catalog is HUGE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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