----------
> From: Davidson <wdavidson@jps.net>
> To: Debi Tippets <debi@YOSEMITE.NET>; vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: WHEW! Saved from possible fire!! ($2.98 for Gas Hose and
Clamps)
> Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 4:41 PM
>
> Debi
> I was driving in Santa Rosa yesterday. I came up to an intersection with
a
> traffic jam. It was caused by a fire truck and a bunch of firemen
spraying
> water on a vehicle fire in the middle of the intersection. It was a
Westy.
> Maybe an '85 or so. My heart sank when I drove by and saw all the water
> flooding the engine and the inside cabinets and carpets and mattress. The
> water was flowing and the smoke was pouring out of that poor Westy. There
> was soot everywhere. It was a total disaster. I bet it was those dreaded
> fuel hoses. I wondered how long it took the fire department to get there.
> An eternity I'm sure. I felt so sorry for the owner who probably had no
> idea that the hoses should be checked/replaced. I love this 'list'.
>
> After reading a few of the cautionary fire postings a couple of months
ago
> I adopted this strategy:
> 1. Check the fuel hoses regularly and replace at the slightest sign of
age.
> Maybe replace at 8 years no matter how good they look.
> 2. Stop and shut off the engine I if smell gas.
> 3. I have 2- 2 1/2 LB fire extinguishers... a BC behind the driver's seat
> (if figure this would be the one I would get to first in an engine
fire...
> and a ABC by the slider door (if the cabinets, carpet, etc caughts fire
an
> ABC would be needed and it can be used on the engine too if the BC
doesn't
> do the trick.)
> 4. Cut the spring on the license plate door so that it doesn't spring up
on
> its own. I think this would be helpful in a fire emergency. I don't want
> the hot metal door springing up to burn my hand and make the job of
> spraying the extinguisher up into the engine compartment more difficult.
> 5. I want to find a heat sensor to install in the engine compartment that
> will give a loud audio alarm in the event of fire. I plan to check the
> Marine stores. (anyone know of a heat sensor that will work and where to
> get it?)
> I think this strategy is a relatively cheap way to, firstly, limit the
> possibility of a fuel fire, and secondly, to maximize the quickness and
> effectiveness of my response should the unthinkable become reality.
>
> Bill
> 90 Westy Syncro
> Lake Tahoe
>
> ----------
> From: Debi Tippets <debi@YOSEMITE.NET>
> To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: WHEW! Saved from possible fire!! ($2.98 for Gas Hose and Clamps)
> Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 3:27 PM
>
> MtnGal here...
>
> PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO CHECK YOUR HOSES!!!
>
> When I realized how much I'm falling in love with my 7 Passenger Vanagon,
> AND the impact it would have on our family to go back to the car for the
> only form of transportation I couldn't avoid it any longer...
>
> You never know what you'll find!!  It scared the $ # ! % out of me when I
> found a leak that was barely noticeable, but left a trail of gas (cost me
> $2.98 and 1/2 hour to fix).
>
>                           Think about it.  It's well worth the time and
> effort!
>
> Besides, I don't know which one of my kids I could look in the face and
> say:
>                               "I didn't take the time because....."
>
> I hope this helps at least 1 van to a longer happier road life.....  ;)
>
> Debi Tippets
> 84 VW-Vanagon GL   BRONZE
>