Bus engine fire: open the door or not

[lsengrav]

In the case of an engine fire in a split bus (and fire extinguisher in hand), is it better to open the engine door or not?

Opening the door gives better access to fight the fire, but also allows more oxygen into the compartment.

Keeping the door closed limits oxygen, but then the engine can only be accessed from below, and I don't want to get that close.

Any suggestions/ experiences ?

Thanks
Scott

[thom]

Open it and shoot the fire extinguisher properly
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type

[doublecabmel]

lets hope nobody will have to find out! Also make sure to turn off the ignition if this happens

[Khopkinsx]

Speaking from personal experience many, many, years ago.

Fire extinguisher in hand, open the engine door, (expect a fire ball to come out, so you do not burn your eyebrows like I did) and then wait 1-2 seconds. Now you can see the fire and put it out.

The only thing that I would have done different is move the bus forward a few feet if I could as there was stuff burning under the motor. In my case I did have a fire extinguisher, I do not remember what size it was, but let me tell you it was not big enough. I do remember spraying under the motor some, and later realized I should have focused solely on the motor. I was lucky that a guy that worked for the gas company happened to be behind me and put it out with the biggest handheld fire extinguisher I have ever seen. It was almost out, he only had to squirt it for like 5 seconds. I'm really thankful for that.

My fire was because (I don't remember exactly) but it was either the fuel hose popped off or the brass nipple pushed out of the fuel pump.

I now keep the biggest fire extinguisher on my bus that will fit . I have found what I think is the perfect spot for it, which is by the drivers seat and the door. There is a 4 inch or so space there. Its sits on the 'floor' next to the seat and clips in to the clip on the bulkhead. Yes I did drill into the bulkhead for the clip but I think in this case it was justified. The hose routes nicely behind the drivers seat.

In addition to that I change the fuel line every couple of years because it is cheap insurance.

As a side note, I was late going back to college ( 2 hour drive away). My girlfriend at the time did not believe me. I had to show her the scorch marks on the vents. I was very lucky. I was also picked up by my brother and a couple of friends as they just happened to be driving by (no idea why) Ran home, got a new set of wires, another fuel pump, some hose and went back. I had it running in about 20 minutes.

Yes I still have this bus. Its my favorite, so many memories...
_________________
67 Westy
67 Pop Top Westy
62 SC
62 DC

[Busstom]

Yes, pop it open and put it out!

Over 35 years ago, I was driving my '60 Beetle down the boulevard in daylight when I came upon some douch nozzle standing behind his fat chick with the engine compartment on fire. I stopped, grabbed my extinguisher and put it out for him...I was just a teenager. Fuckin ungrateful piece of shit wouldn't part with 20 bucks to replace my extinguisher. Live and learn, shoulda let it burn.

And, by the way, your statement about the engine and access from "down below" is not accurate: the flames wil be ABOVE the tin, and assuming you have all of the tin installed, the fire will be INaccessible.

[Rustyscrew]

I had a small fire once too a couple years ago. I was a block or two from my house, and drove home immediately. I didn’t know there was a fire at that time just saw a little extra smoke in the mirror and a slight burning smell. When I got home I popped open the lid and saw there was a fire on the battery and my friend who was riding with me went to get the extinguisher when I went to open the lid. Hit the battery area with the extinguisher a few times and it was out. The battery tie down strap came loose on the brick roads and got stuck on the positive terminal. I now always drive around with an extinguisher, larger than the usual car mounted ones.

[RWK]

Its possible to cover the air intake vents also if you don't have a fire extinguisher, it will help choke off the air, assuming all other tins are in place,
this would be better then opening lid, worst case scenario we never want to have.
_________________
73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[Matthew Tolbert]

From what I've read Blazecut is a good choice. If I ever get a bus I plan to get one. You can attach it above your engine pretty easily. I have no experience with this product but have read good things about it. Another option and you dont have to put yourself in harms way by opening the lid if it works as advertised.

https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/blazecut-t-s...gIUCPD_BwE
_________________
Matthew Tolbert
1958 ragtop
1961 doublecab
1965 Notchback S

[Tizian]

[BulliBill]

Just installed a 6' Blazecut in my '67 Campmobile engine compartment this morning, also have a 6' Blazecut in my '59 Double-Cab engine compartment now for several years. Both vehicles also have dry chemical fire extinguishers in each vehicles as a back-up... just in case.

Bill
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames from old Volkswagen dealerships for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

[LAGrunthaner]

BulliBill, can you post an image of where you installed that Blazecut system? Ordering mine ASAP because it appears to be just that hose system and I don't need electricity or a routing hose/canister for the product.

Wow Matthew Tolbert that Blazecut is a tube system? I'm very impressed that it is so self-contained and needs nothing but to screw it in. I'd like to see where they are mounted in our buses.
I don't know why I can't get this youtube to display as a youtube

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=117&v=BuaT2irR4fk[/youtube]

[obus]

[Tizian]

Video on youtube:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kswau1mGBE8&feature=youtu.be

[Matthew Tolbert]

[scottvw]

Blazecut is your best insurance. I have one and 2 fire extinguishers. One behind the driver and passenger seat area.

[matthew henricks]

I use Blazecut but also carry an extinguisher just in case.

[Tizian]

This will be my backup. It's still sealed but maybe it will need a refill soon. What do you think?

[Bruce Amacker]

There's a whole thread on Blazecut here, refer to that.

IMHO, Blazecut won't do squat on a hot engine with fuel or oil on it, you're going to need a 5 or 10lb extinguisher for that. The YouTube videos were filmed on a cold engine, a hot engine will react completely differently.

I keep 2- 10lb in my good bus and 1-10lb in my rat bus.
_________________
'66 Deluxe Bus
'65 Standard Bus
Build threads:
'66- http://www.leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2888&sid=54d8dedfb3822f99c7f2ea430cb4e856
'65- http://leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4263

[VWAdam]

[LAGrunthaner]

Excellent, obus, thanks for posting.