That sounds like something that clown, who was smashing the 911 into
stuff...and diss-ing the diesel Jag, would do.
Bob Rentfro
'77 300D 148K
'01 VW Beetle TDI 61K
Litchfield Park, AZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "OK Don" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Why we drive old Mercedes Benz Cars
I vaguely recall a scandal around a TV "documentary where they were
demonstrating the difference in flamability of Diesle and gas cars by
firing a rifle at the fuel tanks. Neither one exploded onr burned.
They decided to light the gas tank with a model rocket engine to
demonstrate their point!
I still beleive that a Diesel car is less likely to burn than a gas
car though --
On 1/24/06, Loren Faeth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I always thought that gasoline caused most vehicle fires, but I have seen
a
lot of semi tractors that burned. The only difference is that diesel
needs
a wick or it needs to be heated enough to vaporize. Gasoline evaporates
easily at air temps. Since diesel has more BTUs per gallon, it will burn
longer or hotter once lit.
Metal scraping on pavement provides enough heat and sparks to light even
diesel in some conditions. Even a 240D (or 190Dc auto) can create a pool
of fuel and a stream of sparks. The local independent shop has the
remains
of an SD that caught fire while driving down the interstate. I would
have
believed that to be impossible until I saw it. The fire does not appear
to
have started at the alternator or battery. It appears to have burned
longer/hotter on the left side (where the fuel is) of the engine
compartment. It got hot enough that the valve cover melted. I can't
find
an explanation of the cause of the fire. I can only surmise a
combination
of oil leaks, fuel leaks and a seriously overheated/sparking electrical
component (CC fuse maybe)
One thing that I have noticed is that on the old cars with the tank under
the trunk (107-115 inclusive) if a fuel line is cut or broken, the fuel
stays in the tank. In the interest of "safety" after the Pinto debacle,
the feds made the tanks move to behind the passenger seat. On these
later
cars, the fuel will run out to the ground if you cut or break a fuel line
in the engine compartment. If a fire did start, these tanks will feed
the
fire. This is independent of manufacturer.
Loren
--
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK
'90 300D 243K, Rattled
'87 300SDL 290K, Limo Lite, or blue car
'81 240D 173K, Gramps, or yellow car
'78 450SLC 67K, brown car
'97 Ply Grand Voyager 78K Van Go
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