[Mosaud1998]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/driver-st...144728601.html

I didn't know continuously revving a car can make it catch fire. First time I've heard of this.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

https://www.yahoo.com/news/driver-st...144728601.html

I didn't know continuously revving a car can make it catch fire. First time I've heard of this.

Revving the engine alone wouldn't make it catch on fire, but constantly shifting the transmission from Drive into Reverse and back again with high revs would produce a lot of heat. I suspect he was trying to "rock" the car out of the snow and the popping noise was the transmission blowing out.

[M5Rick]

The tranny wouldn't make the suv catch fire more like a fuel hose separating or melting from the heat but doesn't explain why he just sat in there locked in to be fried.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

The tranny wouldn't make the suv catch fire more like a fuel hose separating or melting from the heat but doesn't explain why he just sat in there locked in to be fried.

Probably too cold outside. Gotta keep warm brah!

[joooiiiiii]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

Probably too cold outside. Gotta keep warm brah!

LOL.

[CTinline-six]

Damn that sucks. My guess is that the heat fried something fuel or electrical related causing the fire, then the power locks wouldn't work and they couldn't get the door open. Wouldn't be the first time I've heard of that happening. First thought would be to break a window, but unless you've done it without a tool or a large rock it's harder than one would think, especially for someone in their 60's and from inside the car sitting down.

[erickonphoenix]

Definitely some kind of fuel system related issue aggravated by operator error.

[smyles]

I don't think car should catch fire no matter how much you rev the engine or abuse the transmission. Overheat, break, lock up - yeah, sure. But not ignite.

[iminhell1]

More likely the trip down the embankment broke something. Maybe a plastic fuel vapor hose? Or maybe busted the oil filter adapter and oil was spraying on the hot exhaust?

https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.ne...cx5-engine.jpg

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by smyles

I don't think car should catch fire no matter how much you rev the engine or abuse the transmission. Overheat, break, lock up - yeah, sure. But not ignite.

Sustained high revving can generate considerable heat in the components like the manifolds and exhaust, and if there's leaves or twigs in the area that can contact the exhaust and catch fire, then there's certainly likely to be enough flammable fluids in and around a car to catch fire.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Sustained high revving can generate considerable heat in the components like the manifolds and exhaust, and if there's leaves or twigs in the area that can contact the exhaust and catch fire, then there's certainly likely to be enough flammable fluids in and around a car to catch fire.

Ok, besides the obvious " no shit, Sherlock", do you really think a pile of snow would have dry leaves or twigs.... Einstein?

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by smyles

Ok, besides the obvious " no shit, Sherlock", do you really think a pile of snow would have dry leaves or twigs.... Einstein?

Perhaps the leaves and twigs were already in the engine bay... genius.

Don't be such an asshole. You're not that intelligent.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by smyles

I don't think car should catch fire no matter how much you rev the engine or abuse the transmission. Overheat, break, lock up - yeah, sure. But not ignite.

A high (over) revving drivetrain on snow or ice will have components spinning at speeds not duplicable on traditional road surfaces or treadmills.
That is why tire companies warn about spinning tires on ice.

From ABS/brake fluid/rotor, through to engine connecting Rod to particularly CVT rubber/metal belt - I can see a few particular components that could fail creating impressive damage.

And the post about leaves igniting. the heat could easily melt through snow and turn wet leaves in to kindling.

[erickonphoenix]

Originally Posted by smyles

I don't think car should catch fire no matter how much you rev the engine or abuse the transmission. Overheat, break, lock up - yeah, sure. But not ignite.

I apologize in advance for the long post.

They shouldn't catch fire, but sometimes design elements can cause unintended consequences. For instance the GM LS2 engine in the C6 Corvette had a braided steel fuel line that connected to the fuel rail under the engine cover. Not a problem.

However the LS2 equipped Holden Monaro (GTO in the US) had a rubber fuel hose that under chronic hard acceleration could rub against the plastic engine cover and over time wear a hole in the hose. Fuel could then spray down on the exhaust headers and start a fire.

One solution was the swap the rubber fuel line for the steel one like the Corvette, but most of us GTO owners would just remove the engine cover. However a few GTOs went up in flames pretty quick once the hose was compromised.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

...
They shouldn't catch fire, but sometimes design elements can cause unintended consequences...

Exactly, and your example is a good one. Just like with that Mazda, if continuous revving caused some connector melting, or rocking back and forth caused overstretching of some hose, or breakage of some plastic connector, or even rubbing over a curb damaged a fuel line - those are all design flaws that shouldn't be there. Even the leaves that some insist on placing there - they shouldn't be able to get near hi-temp components. They shouldn't even clog the drain lines like in our BMWs, but I realize it's too much to ask...

[GenXer]

Hmmm a new Mazda CX5 caught on fire just like that?

I've had dozens of SUVs and gotten stuck a few times and was able to rock the vehicle out without catching on fire. There has to be more to this story.

I wonder if you get stuck in the snow often, why don't you just drive a tow truck.

[iminhell1]

I mean Lambos burn up just by downshifting aggressively ... LOL

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I mean Lambos burn up just by downshifting aggressively ... LOL

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I mean Lambos burn up just by downshifting aggressively ... LOL

That's a given!

[Chihuahua]

It's early in the year to be handing out Darwin awards, but it looks like we have a winner.

[dmatre]

It's quite possible he had a medical emergency, and died with his foot on the throttle.

Happens quite frequency, which is how cars end up going through houses, off bridges, etc.

It would also explain why he didn't exit after the car caught fire.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by dmatre

It's quite possible he had a medical emergency, and died with his foot on the throttle.

Happens quite frequency, which is how cars end up going through houses, off bridges, etc.

It would also explain why he didn't exit after the car caught fire.

I believe the mayor of our nearby town had a heart attack in his car and the car eventually ran into a pole but at a slow pace.