Antifreeze Fires

[luvrbus]

Jim (RVsafety) were discussing fires where a guys bus burnt from a mobile mechanic using vacuum line for fuel return on a generator.Then the topic came up about antifreeze starting a fire. I know first hand it will burn I had a fire on a 790 John Deere excavator a hose burst and sprayed antifreeze on the turbo and the fire was like fueling it with diesel fuel.Ever since that day I check hoses and clamps for leaks I never want to have it happen again
Now a question for you guys how many here knew antifreeze will ignite since it is antifreeze time 

[Oonrahnjay]

Jim (RVsafety) were discussing fires where a guys bus burnt from a mobile mechanic using vacuum line for fuel return on a generator.Then the topic came up about antifreeze starting a fire. I know first hand it will burn I had a fire on a 790 John Deere excavator a hose burst and sprayed antifreeze on the turbo and the fire was like fueling it with diesel fuel.Ever since that day I check hoses and clamps for leaks I never want to have it happen again
Now a question for you guys how many here knew antifreeze will ignite since it is antifreeze time 

    Ford had a recall a few years back where medium-truck chassis models (F450???  not sure) had heavy ambulance bodies built on them. The antifreeze would get so hot that it would leak or damage the hoses (I think is some cases blow the hose off a metal pipe fitting) and blow on exhauses or turbos.  Big fire problem.  All this was made worse by the fact that the heavy vehicles, being driven hard, would put lots of heat into the engines and cooling systems.
    Yes, antifreeze will burn - big.

[HB of CJ]

Since auto shop in 1964.

[adamhere]

Wow, not me. Timely question as the clamp on my, thermostat side, hose broke and anti freeze blew all over the engine yesterday. I saw white smoke out my rear view mirror and started looking for a safe place to pull over. The low oil light started to go off and I pulled into the shoulder just as she shut down. Luckily the shut off was working as I only hit 200deg. When I looked inside is when I saw the antifreeze blown all over and realized what had happened. Bad situation but I thought it was going to be much worse. No sign of fire. I am changing all clamps and hoses!!

[Dave5Cs]

Found out the hard way on my tractor tilling the ranch field. hose came off the overflow tank and was very hot engine. It leaked all over the fI pump right below it started a fire on the engine leaked into the weeds in the field started a fire. FD had to come in and put it out and saved my tractor. Darn it, lol 
Dave

[HB of CJ]

Since Auto Shop 1 in high school which was required and coed.  The young chicks looked so neat in their hand tailored tight revealing coveralls.  No ... wait.  We were taught that if an engine is really hot and if a major coolant leak occurs, the water portion of the mix is instantly turned to steam. 

If the fire is hot enough, the O2 cracks out of the mix and feeds the fire.  The EG anti freeze itself can and will flash burn if raised above its ignition temp which I have forgotten.   Several physical conditions must occur for this to happen.  Back then 180 F was hot.  Today?  Yikes!

[Iceni John]

Wasn't this the reason for many fighter pilots' deaths in both world wars, when their engines' glycol would burn and trap them in their cockpits if their opponents' gunfire had hit their engine?

Interesting what HB was saying about the coolant's water flashing into steam  -  I had been wondering how something that's half water could burn so easily.

Maybe this is another reason to wrap exhaust pipes with an insulation, so coolant or other flammable liquids will have less chance of contacting a hot surface.   Some years ago I had a hydraulic hose split and spray hydraulic oil onto an exhaust pipe  -  fortunately it just made clouds of smoke, but it could have easily been much worse.   I dodged a bullet that time.

John

[Lee Bradley]

Hadn't thought about this but flash point of ethylene glycol is 232 F (ignition source present) and autoignition temp is 770 F

[jackhanow]

Used to say combustible right on the jug. Been a while since I looked at that part of a jug. Now a days I look to see if it the right kind. And just move on. I played with it because I remember reading it so I had to light it and I must say. It's not easy but when it burns it burns hot.