What Causes an Engine Fire and What Should Be Done

Car and trucks move by harnessing the power of fire, the combustion in the motor is a controlled explosion that moves the pistons. Inside the motor the fuel injectors and fuel pump work together to add the correct amount of fuel to complete the combustion process. Any form of combustion is going to create heat that will need to be dispersed but there are lots of heat sources in an engine besides the motor. 

The systems that run the motor all create heat through movement and electricity. When the heat in an engine bay gets to be too much for the coolant system to handle it is just a matter of time before one of the elements in the system reaches the point of fire. When the coolant begins to slow its movement due to a weak pump or a blockage in the system it becomes a very dangerous thing. Not only will the coolant begin to expand very quickly but it also reaches its flash point, which means the temp is so high that if it touches air it will ignite. This is the first source of engine fire which can usually be seen by what seems to be liquid fire dripping under the car. The coolant over flows and starts to catch fire, this can be caught early and stopped. 

The second main cause of engine fire is when wiring has become exposed and the spark created by the open loop creates enough heat to catch the wire on fire. Electrical fire will have no signs before-hand so they can be devastating to the vehicle.

In the event of a vehicle fire do not try and extinguish the flames without proper equipment. Many times the fuel in the car can ignite and that will cause a very large flame which can be dangerous. If an engine fire is suspected do not open the hood, the fire may be contained and not getting enough air but once that hood is opened the flow of air will cause a very large explosion. If an engine fire is suspected touch the hood with the back of your hand in the same fashion that is used to check for fire on the other side of a door in a building.  If the paint on the hood has begun to bubble it is a tell-tale sign of an engine fire. The best use of a driver’s time when an engine fire occurs is to get everything of value out of the car and then get some distance. Engine fires are no laughing matter and they should be handles by the fire department. Even though losing your car due to fire can really suck it is better than losing your life.