| Author |
Message |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 9:08 am: | |
Headline in Yuma paper this morning says "Fuel line leak leads to locomotive fire".
Article goes on to say that a fuel line leak on the second engine of a Union Pacific train caused a fire that destroyed the engine even though it was close enough for a local fire department to put out the fire.
This should make everyone double check their fuel lines in the engine compartment. If that big chunk of iron can burn to destruction, just think of the damage possible when you bus is filled with combustible materials. |
MCI Larry (Eurof3)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 2:47 am: | |
Just thought this might be the place for a story about my bus fire. I looked at over 250 coaches before I finally bought one. I remember seeing 2 or 3 buses that had burned while I was looking to buy one. Thinking HOW IN THE WORLD DOES A BUS CATCH ON FIRE> Must just be someone pulling an insurance deal. I did know that tires have been know to cause a fire but not diesel fuel.
I made my deal and picked up my coach from the owner at a service place the owner had it stored at.
I am not naming names, pointing fingers just going to tell you what happened.
The coach had a 6V92 with the alternator on the front side of the motor as most were in those years. The last repair done to this coach was a repair to the alternator. It had not left the repair shop sense the repair. I got 150 miles from the repair shop when the alt light came on. I could see smoke in the rear view. Wheeled over and run to the back and opened the rear door to see flames. My son saw the flames and started running down the road the other way, I think he thought it was going to blow up.
I got my legs in high gear and made it to the fire extinguisher onboard and back to the rear of the bus in seconds flat. I got the fire out. It smoked the inside up very quickly. A sheriff and the State police showed up ASAP to check on me. AS a cell phone driver called it in. This all happened in nowhere land. I mean nothing at the exit just 2 dirt roads and just nothing for miles.
$600 tow bill and only the start of an expensive deal.
The alternator had come loose. Fell forward hitting the main fuel bus line connection sending fuel all over the motor. The alternator then landed on its own wires and shorted out the wires and starting the whole mess on fire.
When that fire happened I remember thinking about the buses I had seen that were burned when I was looking to buy one. These all became more clear to me after my fire... Just NEVER would have thought it could be ME.
I must say, I don`t worry about a fire with my new bus. Whats the odds of ever having 2 bus fires.
Did I mention I have 3 fire extinguishers onboard now. 1 in the engine compartment even....Larry |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 9:45 am: | |
I've heard of bus/RV fires from much dumber reasons than that. Yours was kinda difficult to avoid/predict. This is not always the case, lots of fires are caused but overt stupidity.
Gary |
Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 11:11 am: | |
WOW, that's a real eye-opener Larry. Thanks for sharing, makes you think. Bob |
Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 11:17 am: | |
As many of you know, we started a business this year to develop and market safety related products for RVs. We attended several rallies this year and did seminars on motorhome/bus fires and alarm systems.
When I started the business I was a concerned person (have had one car fire and one in our home – not to mention setting myself on fire a few times during the bus conversion project – don’t ask!!), but as I hear horror stories at each and every seminar, I am leaning strongly towards paranoid <grin>.
There are some really staggering statistics about bus/motorhome fires. I cited two studies done in Finland in my Bus Conversion Magazine article (March 2004 issue)
I am working with the state of Oregon to obtain their database on motorhome fires over the last few years. The preliminary data that they have sent me shows that they average over 100 motorhome (only) fires per year! I hope to have the detailed data in hand and analyzed by the upcoming Bussin 2005 rally.
I will be doing one or two seminars at Bussin 2005 and hope to meet some of you folks and put a face to a name.
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
’85 Eagle 10
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neomax
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 12:26 pm: | |
Passed that UP diesel ystdy, they were prepping it for tow away. Didn't look totally shot but some visible fire damage low on the frame under the engine section.
Friends MCI DL3 burned 2 yrs. Ago from broken oil line at alternator, over 200k in damage and down for over a yr. For rebuild. |