4 ms·
I kinda doubt that. Automotive oil will cook off long before it ignites. You need to introduce liquid oil to a red hot object to get flame as a result. The c
by dsfyu404ed 3y ago
I kinda doubt that. Automotive oil will cook off long before it ignites. You need to introduce liquid oil to a red hot object to get flame as a result. The chemical properties that lend themselves to oil that lives a long time in an engine or transmission also result in really high ignition points. If spilling oil could reliably cause a fire you'd see OEMs casting drip rails into things in order to prevent paths direct from leaky gasket to exhaust components.
- CamperBob2 3y agoClean oil, yes. Oil-soaked wire harnesses, road debris, shop rags left behind by the mechanic... not so much.
- Arrath 3y agoAnd maybe not placing oil filters in little alcoves entirely surrounded by exhaust piping.
- BizarroLand 3y agoI understand your doubt, but I assure you that I did not come onto the internet to lie today. After I saw this I pulled him aside and asked to take a look at his engine and there was a thick layer of baked on oil on the side with the oil filler, and that oil was contaminated with thick clumps of dust and dirt from a general lack of maintenance, which in retrospect might have acted like a wick. It took a full can of degreaser spray and a lot of vigorous wiping to remove the majority of it, and after doing that along with the exhortation to use a funnel when adding oil, the car engine did not burst into flame again. (He had become very capable in quickly detecting and extinguishing engine fires before they caused enough damage to the vehicle to disable it) That car lasted a good two years before he wrecked and totaled it.