Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,641 Threads: 93
Reputation:
15
Location: Monmouthshire
Gosh, can we come and watch the first time someone brandishes a fire safety stick at a scrutineer?
Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 187 Threads: 42
Reputation:
5
Location: North Wales UK
Car type: Austin 7 RN 1931
21-01-2020, 03:42 PM
(This post was last modified: 21-01-2020, 03:46 PM by Barry Townsend.)
Whilst i sympathise with anyone in this situation it is hard to feel sorry for this clown. At least it wasn't a 7 thank goodness
Thanks to all the many comments - I always intended to carry an extinguisher in my 7 but never realised the potential problems with not having one. On the strength of this article I will be carrying one in my 'ordinary' car from now on - already got one in the garage and our motorhome.
Buy an Austin 7 they said, It's easy to work on they said !
Joined: Dec 2017 Posts: 1,160 Threads: 68
Reputation:
8
Location: Nottinghamshire. Robin Hood County
Car type: Austin Ruby Mk1 1935
I also carry a fire extinguisher in the car and luckily never had to use it. But remember most car fire extinguishers only have about a 12 second life although you can do quite a bit in that time but remember although it puts the fire out initially a hot fire will re ignite itself in seconds. Be prepared to leave it and retire to a safe place (A long way away from a burning car and petrol tank.)
John Mason
Would you believe it "Her who must be obeyed" refers to my Ruby as the toy.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,394 Threads: 106
Reputation:
28
Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
And of course somebody really ought to point out that a bit of timely maintenance on wiring and fuel system might well avert many of these incidents...definitely worth a thoughtful walk-round once in a blue moon.
Joined: Nov 2017 Posts: 250 Threads: 2
Reputation:
5
I may have told this before, so apologies. One hot night after a barbecue and a FEW drinks on the beach I was driving my MG TC home with the hood down enjoying the balmy air when I detected smoke coming up beside me. Apparently the top of the muffler rusted through and the flames came up and set fire to the floorboards, then the driver's seat. I jumped out before the car stopped rolling and when I realised I didn't have an extinguisher, i grabbed up handfuls of dirt from a resident's garden. Ran backwards and forwards doing this a few times before the resident appeared at the open window in his pyjamas & wanted to know what the hell I was doing. Told him, he rushed out and got his hose. I ran out with the hose nozzle and when it didn't quite reach the car I tugged harder. Turned out the fellow hadn't connected it to the tap to save time, just held it on to save time. My tugging caused him to get completely saturated (lucky it was a hot night!) but he wasn't happy. Result : fire out before the Fire Brigade arrived, I then sat down onto the seat which was a porridge of sloppy mud and ruined plants & flowers, started up and drove home. Told my mother and said I was afraid the mud probably ruined my trousers. When I turned around she noted the whole seat had been burnt out, only the rear pockets saving my skin. Told you it was only a few drinks. Cheers, Bill in Oz
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 502 Threads: 13
Reputation:
8
Have one in each car it is crazy not to.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 59 Threads: 4
Reputation:
0
Location: Northland New Zealand
Carry one in two of my cars have had to use one twice now for engine fire. {Carb overflow} last time although the gauge showed pressure OK nothing happened when the trigger was pulled, quickly unscrewed the cap and shock the powder out. The powder is a bugger to clean off the engine afterwards
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 331 Threads: 51
Reputation:
2
Location: East Sussex Coast
Don't forget all you people who have unused extinguishers sat in your vehicles for some years that they have a shelf life, and should be dated and serviced. Apparently the contents can settle and will not be correctly activated in time of need.
Peter
