Thread: Whoops

Originally Posted by Arapiles

Edit: "really well prepared" ..... except it appears that they didn't have a fire extinguisher.

A bit unfair. For a start, we don't know whether they carried an extinguisher or not. Even so, an extinguisher, no matter what size, would have been completely useless. I doubt that even a full fire suppression system would have made much difference. I've successfully used an extinguisher on a slow burn electrical vehicle fire, but this one looks like it was a diesel fire, probably triggered by the DPF igniting a grass tussock or grass caught under the vehicle. In any event, trying to use a fire extinguisher on that could have endangered the user. Bad enough being stranded without being injured as well. I'd say the travellers showed good situational awareness and quick thinking in salvaging what they did, including a fully charged satphone.
Even back in my series days, I was always careful not to park the car with anything within cooee of the exhaust pipe. I'd be scared witless with a DPF in the bush.

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

A bit unfair. For a start, we don't know whether they carried an extinguisher or not. Even so, an extinguisher, no matter what size, would have been completely useless. I doubt that even a full fire suppression system would have made much difference. I've successfully used an extinguisher on a slow burn electrical vehicle fire, but this one looks like it was a diesel fire, probably triggered by the DPF igniting a grass tussock or grass caught under the vehicle. In any event, trying to use a fire extinguisher on that could have endangered the user. Bad enough being stranded without being injured as well. I'd say the travellers showed good situational awareness and quick thinking in salvaging what they did, including a fully charged satphone.
Even back in my series days, I was always careful not to park the car with anything within cooee of the exhaust pipe. I'd be scared witless with a DPF in the bush.

Unless it's high in the engine bay away from tinder. Mitsubishi manage to do it. Cheers

Originally Posted by BradC

Every firey I've spoken to has said that with the rarest exception the best thing to do with a fire extinguisher in a car is to throw it at the fire as you are running away. Your chance of putting out a fire with your standard 1 or 2kg extinguisher is pretty much nil unless you happen to be there and catch the ignition.

Luckily I have zero personal experience with that one. Just relaying what I've been told.

One of these maybe a better option.More expensive,but probably worth the money.

Firestryker - New fire extinguisher for Australia from ARB - Pat Callinan's 4X4 Adventures

Lots of guesses and maybe this and that.Why don't we wait for the facts,it may have nothing to do with a DPF.

'One smart decision saved them from perishing to death'. Presumably this person writes for a living.

Originally Posted by POD

'One smart decision saved them from perishing to death'. Presumably this person writes for a living.

I dunno, in video games one can perish and still be alive to play again.

Originally Posted by p38arover

I dunno, in video games one can perish and still be alive to play again.

Left a daily newspaper years ago.
' They don't make journo's liken they used to...'

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

A bit unfair. For a start, we don't know whether they carried an extinguisher or not. Even so, an extinguisher, no matter what size, would have been completely useless. I doubt that even a full fire suppression system would have made much difference. I've successfully used an extinguisher on a slow burn electrical vehicle fire, but this one looks like it was a diesel fire, probably triggered by the DPF igniting a grass tussock or grass caught under the vehicle. In any event, trying to use a fire extinguisher on that could have endangered the user. Bad enough being stranded without being injured as well. I'd say the travellers showed good situational awareness and quick thinking in salvaging what they did, including a fully charged satphone.
Even back in my series days, I was always careful not to park the car with anything within cooee of the exhaust pipe. I'd be scared witless with a DPF in the bush.

I grew up on a wheat farm, and we were always very aware of not having straw or grass around the exhaust system, or starting paddock fires for that matter - so in my case there's no way that in the same situation I would've allowed grass to build up anywhere near the exhaust system, catalyser or DPF included. I've also seen a HR Holden catch fire under the bonnet - probably a carburettor problem - and the fire extinguisher did work on it. The paint on the bonnet got scorched but there was little other damage. So, I carry fire extinguishers in my cars and whilst they're not going to put out a fire in a car that's fully alight they can deal with something that's just kicking off - at the very least, it'll extend the time that you have to grab stuff - or kids - out of the car. if I was going bush I'd be investing in a couple of the big ones just in case of this scenario.

Originally Posted by scarry

One of these maybe a better option.More expensive,but probably worth the money.

Firestryker - New fire extinguisher for Australia from ARB - Pat Callinan's 4X4 Adventures

Lots of guesses and maybe this and that.Why don't we wait for the facts,it may have nothing to do with a DPF.

The Firestryker looks like a good option - thanks, I'll look into it.

May not have anything to do with the DPF, but there's a good chance it was grass or something combustable on the exhaust system. Unless there's something at the bottom of a Land Cruiser that's prone to igniting?