Engine bay extinguisher

So I’ve been browsing Fleabay recently and thought I’d have a gander to see what sort of extinguishers were available when came across this,

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/131728529576

Has anyone got any experience of it? Reading through the details about it it says it has an activation temp of 79 degrees Celcius.

I’m no expert in these things and just wondered what you guys thought about it with it being the price it is and how it specs up in comparison to other brands?

Cheers

John

 

I have a firetec that has a plastic tube that snakes around the engine bay
The flames melt the pipe to set it off at the point of the fire

The one you show has a glass bulb on the end that melts spraying in all directions, I also worry about the effect of the van bouncing around on the glass bulb.

 

Yeh that was one thing that was a concern. I have no idea what temp these things generally operate at and whether that’s a standard temp for them or not?

I’ve googled them elsewhere and they seem to have decent enough reviews but not much indication on what they are being used on... boats etc

I do need to invest at some point but as usual I over investigate things to ensure I don’t buy something unsuitable. Lol

 

Okies cool,

Is yours a dry powder one too? I’m wondering how much damage the compound is likely to cause if, god forbid it activates accidentally or in anger.

 

Got one of the JK ones recently but only paid £25 brand new in wrapper, make sure when you mount this type they are not flat on engine bay roof I have been informed. Tbh all hoses are regularly replaced so hoping it wont be needed main reason I have it is for a long trips and can be easily removed. Also read somewhere that dry powder will be ingested through air filters and therefore into engine causing major damage !!!!

 

I don’t know what you mean....as if

 

Air cooled works. Gas based so won't damage engine. Not cheap.... however I can confirm it works and works well..

 

We had the fireflex, similar to the firetec. Again, thankfully never needed to find out if it works or not.

 

Just a naggy reminder, folks: get your fuel lines sorted first. If they're in good shape, you won't need an extinguisher

 

Go for one of the more expensive ones. The one you show on ebay wont fit if it is built to be mounted with the nozzle down

It also only protects against heat rising exactly underneath it or a high ambient temperature. A fire the other side of the engine bay might not affect it as all the flames go up the air vent.

The mess that a powder extinguisher makes could kill your engine and you would have to strip down the engine to remove all of the powder. It took ages to find out where all mine went after I used a 1kg extunguisher on the fire that burned on after the fuel shutoff solenoid stopped petrol coming into the engine bay.

So an automatic plastic tube based extinguisher coupled with a solenoid valve on the fuel supply and ignition shutoff based on pressure loss in the tubing would be best. It melts where the fire is and stops the engine and fuel supply.

Me ? I bought a bigger powder extinguisher and tidied up the fuel solenoid wiring which got fried as the flames licked round it. Some burning petrol ended up under the bus.

And I eventually found all the powder when the engine came out.

But I was back on the road after a day of re splicing wiring.. the shutoff solenoid definitely worked .. the bus caught fire when petrol leaked from the pump outlet when the pipe popped off as I cranked for oil pressure after an engine removal and replacement.
Must do up the clamp !

 

And your wiring.

 

And a fuel cut-off valve. Then spend the extinguisher money on drink

 

And another thing. The efect of the heat melted a lot of the insulation on the wiring. Fortunately the leisure battery has quick release clamps and the starter battery was not done up tightly. as after the petrol stopped burning the insulation on the wiring carried on melting where the shorted cores were red hot.
I was able to pop both batteries out of circuit quickly using my hands.

 

I've got the gas non powder one of those in my bay engine compartment it covers 2mts3 I think.
NO substitute for checking your bus every time you use it thou.

 

I’ve got one of these

 

i'll have to take a picture of my engine bay. i brought one of these on eBay and my heat exchanger caught fire. The foam seal was like a candle and the engine wiring all charred. The engine bay is nicely matt black now.

Suffice to say the extinguisher did not go off. I assume the engine bay did not get hot enough or it needs a direct flame. I now know why you need the system which runs that red wire all through the engine bay. Next time I will not be tempted by my money pinching tendancies.

 

Hi

I have had 2 fuel leaks in the 1st season with my T2. This is despite having the camper van fuel system checked by a vw mechanic enthusiast and a complete engine overhaul.
I am no mechanic but at the present time I don't think I could do any worse!
We are about to get the van out for the new season any advice?
I believe one problem was the carburettor has a neadl float that got stuck and the fuel seemed to leak after we had parked up. Is there a service kit for this?

Darron