its not that easy to light fiberglass on fire, obviously if you dowse it in gasoline it will burn, but a simple spark, or even a pocket lighter would be tough to get it burning with.
suffice to say, if you were stranded on a deserted island with nothing to burn for warmth but Delorean Fiberglass underbody, you'd be in pretty bad shape. My guess is people don't notice the fire, and the fuel keeps on spraying because the car is running. and yeah then it burns. Best case is turn the car off fast and get to it before it gets to far. Maybe its not likely that someone would be fast enough to stop it, I don't know, but if it does happen, I still think this is the best course of action It still may be futile even then. Best you can do is get rid of the OG fuel lines. They are past their designed life cycle. Probably far past it. I still see a lot of cars running them however, so maybe I'm wrong... but why risk it, new lines is like two hundred and fifty bucks, just get em. lol
Last edited by Parzival; 04-22-2019 at 11:53 PM.
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 237
My VIN: 10353
Sad to see the fireman bend the door trying to pry it open. My question is how does the fire start like this but the doors are closed? Like did it start and the driver jump out but then remembered to close the door before running away for help?
Sad in any case to see another Delorean go up like this...
So sad to watch......The cost to repair will be too much.... I hope the owner was well covered...
I agree with others.... That was tough to watch, and we will likely never know the cause of the fire unless the owner comes on with information.
I heard one witness off-camera say that the car was just sitting there. Perhaps the owner just parked there within a half hour or so. The engine would still be hot, and the fuel accumulator would be holding pressure. One rupture of one or the 13 lines is all it would take, like Parzival said.
But I'm speculating. It could have been electrical or something else.
Dana
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 (5 Speed, Gas Flap, Black Interior, Windshield Antenna, Dark Gray)
Restored as "mostly correct, but with flaws corrected". Pictures and comments of my restoration are in the albums section on my profile.
1985 Chevrolet Corvette, Z51, 4+3 manual
2006 Dodge Magnum R/T (D/D)
2010 Camaro SS (Transformers Edition)
Posts: 743
Everyone should carry a fire extinguisher in every car they drive. The more accessible, the better. I’ve seen DeLoreans with fire extinguishers in the trunk. Ever have the trunk cable break? I have. Keep it in the cabin so you can grab it on your way out of the vehicle.
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 237
My VIN: 10353
Location: France
Posts: 2,457
My VIN: 16951
Club(s): (DCO) (DOA) (DCUK)
So sorry for the owner.
I don't know if he will be able to repair it, the cost will be probably too much...
Location: FL
Posts: 947
My VIN: Early
Electrical fires are definitely a possibility. Few years ago, I had the jump start wire melt and ground out on the engine. It started a fire and I had to run to grab an extinguisher. I was lucky this happened at home while testing the engine. Ever since that happened, I have always kept a fire extinguisher in the car.
Also, this is another reason I don't like V engines. You have hot exhaust on both sides with limited space...
Early 81 5spd conversion- DMCH Ground Effects, Double Din, Custom Instrument Cluster, QA1 Suspension, 3.0 PRV with MS3
Posts: 4,807
My VIN: 3937
I've had a similar concern with the starter heatshield and how close the underside of it is to the positive battery cables on the starter. The originals were asbestos, but the replacements are stainless steel, and this direct path from positive battery connection to the engine block ground is a little too close for comfort for me. I don't know if it is a matter of the slightly different shape of the heatshield replacements, the positioning of the positive cables all on that one bolt, or a deteriorating rubber cap over those exposed cable ends, but it all looks like there's no more than one millimeter of wiggle room before things touch and the car goes up in smoke. My new heatshield stays in the box, thanks.
Sept. 81, auto, black interior