So I was chatting with my buddy who owns a nicely done 300ZX, and he was saying how for this summer he's installing a fire extinguisher in his car after having a bit of a scare last year when his baby almost went up in flames.

I did a search here, and I see some guys do definitely have em in the car, I'm just wondering how many of you guys are out there, and are there specific extinguisher kits for the FD? like a nice lil mini one you can bolt up somewhere. or is it really just up to oneself. Thanks in advance.

 

Most guys have them, but the simple fact is most of the ones people own (including myself) are only going to put out VERY small fires. You'll probably need/want at least 2.5 lb extinguisher to do any good.

 

I too have a small bottle in my car, I keep behind my seat.

But what works best is an on-board system like what boats have, companies like FIRE-BOY offer some really nice systems for only a few hundred dollars.
I have one in my boat, it is a Halon system (no longer available) but there are other fire extinguishing agents similar to Halon out now.

Good investment, in my opinion.

 

I have a little baby Halotron (one of a few CFC-Free replacements for Halon) extinguisher in my rear bin. I wish it was half an inch shorter because it has to lean over a little to fit. Halon will eventually be as expensive as Freon is. So get the newer stuff for the sake of refills.

Just make sure you don't use a Wal-Mart sodium bicarbonate-based extinguisher or you will do more damage with the flame retardant than the fire could do.

A tiny extinguisher is probably OK unless a ton of fuel is involved or there is a long period before you act.

 

I carry two 5 pounders, one behind each seat.

 

An onboard system is nice as long as it's your car that's on fire. I've seen more than a few cars on fire, just randomly in town and what not, where if I had had a mini bottle with me I might've been able to do something.

 

Halon hand held bottles still available .. check aircraft supplier companies. I have 2.5 lb halon

 

I've got an aircraft 2.5 halon canister mounted behind the passenger seat. I'll get a pic of how I mounted it.

 

How much have you paid for your fire extinguishers? I don't have the right type in my FD and wanted to change that. The 2.5 Halon is $259.

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/airsec/...inguisher.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/...nguishers.html

 

what did they stop making them?

 

I carry a 5lb extinguisher in my rear bin. It was the first thing I bought when I got my FD.

Since these cars are proned to fuel leaks in the engine bay, it's always a smart idea to have one in the car.

 

isnt the fuel pulsation dampner usually the route cause? what other areas are prone to leak?

 

i have a little one in the trunk im gonna move it to the rear bin though

 

A little AC insulation fire caused by the turbo made me get one for the car.

 

Eaelier I asaid I had 2.5lb, but I have a 1.25lb.

I got mine off ebay from some arizona fire equipment company. I don't see that they have any listings right now though.

I picked up a NEW, chrome, 1.25lb, halon extinguisher, with wall mount, for $130. I simply mounted the mount above the passenger bin right into the plastic, to the right of the passenger rear speaker.

Exactly. Small fires like that are why I have one.

 

IIRC the FPD is mostly an issue with the S4's, but then again, I have been known to be wrong.

I'd blame most engine fires on:

Single conversions, with oil soaked turbo blankets.

Do it yourselfers, who install fuel systems with out the proper tools, or re-use old parts that should be replaced.

this is kinda funny, because on another group a burning car was brought up, thus sparking (no pun intended) a conversation about engine fires and how to prevent/ stop them.

In the past I researched a company called ANSUL.

https://www.ansul.com/en/Products/no...ys/nonroad.asp

This is the Vehicle Fire Suppression System I am currently looking into.

Seems like a good way to protect my investment. (yeah right, I laugh when I call my cars investments...)

What are your thoughts on this product, please post if you have any personal experience with this product or experience with product of a similar nature.

 

I have a small bottle in my rear bin. I think it would be sufficient for a small blaze (I've experienced one in my FC from a leaky FPS that eventually went out itself after I parked) if you catch it early enough but I wouldn't try putting out a fire if my engine bay was shooting flames 6 feet high. Somethings aren't worth getting killed over.

 

One more thing to keep in mind the composition of the chemicals. I don't remember exactly what is what but some of them will bind and corrode to your engine causing even more damage so you might want to shell out a bit more for the good stuff.

 

i carry one now. I had a leaky turbo soak a blanket with oil. Couldn't tell it from outside inspection. It didn't last long but it felt like eternity. NOTHING got damaged except some vacuum caps. I literally ripped the blankets out by hand.

 

Generally it's the FPD, however the FPR is also plastic when stock, and the fuel likes are mounted directly to the block, so those can also fail, but yes the FPD is the most common failure. No matter what breaks, you'll have fuel dripping onto an engine block, which is never good.

 

Just put this on my list of stuff to get.

I guess im looking for a 5lbs ABC extinguisher.


=Ben

 

I experienced a little blaze on my FC as well, pulled over in the nearest tim horton's, ran in grabbed as many cups as water as i could. not sure what from tho. the fire was on the bottom of the block, the rad cap had blown off and spewed coolant everywhere as i was driving, didn't think it woulda caught on fire tho. heart was stopped until it was out.

 

I have 2 2.5 extinguishers in my car one Halon and the cheap Kiddie one, I heard that the Kiddie fail a bit and that is why I bought the Halon one as a backup if the Kiddie fails...

 

A small extinguisher is a complete waste of time. Carry a 5 lb + or nothing else.

 

Dumb comment.

Of course it is better to have a small one rather than none at all..