The most pain I've ever felt working on a car was when I slid under a '79 Beetle convertible and cracked a fuel line. Gas trickled down onto my face, and when I reflexively turned my head, it spilled into my ear canal. I writhed on the the ground for five agonizing minutes, in full view of customers, et al. I should've been video-tape fodder for the America's stupidest mechanics TV show.
Moral of story, don't get fuel in your ears folks. Play smart. Play safe. On 1/8/06, Hendrik Riessen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'll keep that in mind, however I usally buy tools with a long term view in > mind. That is to say one day I may own a car that has a system other than > K/KE in which case a universal kit comes in handy. Also being able to fix > tricky hard to track down problems will save lots of dollars. Not to mention > when the old school mechanics retire there will be no-one to fix these old > cars. > I don't think too many of todays DC apprentices would know anything about > K-jetronic, except that it a system used on antique Benz vehicles. > Also while I am bashing away at the keyboard, just a word of safety about > working on fuel injection systems. > All fuel injection systems work under a fair bit of pressure (ie. K-jet > works at somewhere between 50-75psi) and the fuel pump is designed to have a > flow rate of about 15 litres/minute, so if there is a problem you may have a > flame thrower on your hands. > To avoid a potentially nasty situation it is recommended to disconnect the > battery (although few do) and ground the chassis to get rid of static > electricity. > OK most won't do that because it is a pain to do, however I do insist that > when working on a fuel system that safety glasses are worn. Spilt fuel is > cleaned up straight away. A working and suitable fire extinguisher is at > hand (not over the other side of the shed behind a whole pile of old bits > and pieces because in these situations seconds count), also make sure you > know how to use the extinguisher (you don't want to read the instructions as > your pride and joy is barbecuing). I have a extinguisher attached to the > passenger seat and an extinguisher just inside the door to the shed (also > inform your partner of the location of extinguisher and instruct in use of > said item without alarming partner). As a backup have the garden hose nearby > just in case. > Lastly if you do get covered in fuel, change clothes immediatley. I usally > just wear a T shirt (and pants) and if some fuel spills it is easy to change > or just wipe the arms. > I realise most/all of you know this stuff but I doesn't hurt to be reminded > as much as first degree burns hurt (which I don't know because I have never > been a human torch). > Also if anyone has additional safety tips relating to fuel systems, please > speak up. > > Hendrik > with a good safety record Casey Olympia, WA Biodiesel: "I drive in a persistent vegetative state" '87 300TD intercooler (211k) '84 300D (207k) Gashuffer: '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition (186K)
