Don't try this at home...

Bill Douglas · 05-25-2003, 09:41 PM

Ummm, I've been trying to fix a fuel supply problem on the SC and had been having a bit of trouble finding out where the problem lay....

I had the fuel pump disconnected and then reseated the connectors on the fuse block so I thought I'd check it on the volt meter. Woohoo, a current ! Next touch connect the electrical contacts to see if the fuel pump fires (unfortunate term) up.

OMG, it started up ok, it spat out about half a cup of fuel then ignited it from the sparking electrical contacts I was "touch connecting". Next thing I knew there was a one meter wide ball of orange flame under the car and I was in the middle of it. I scampled out and gave it a blast with the fire extingisher, then ran inside and put my hand and face under the cold tap.

The outcome of it is I've got one slightly burnt hand and the eye brow and eye lashes missing off one side of my face. It looks kinda funny, well funny if it was someone else sort of funny.

So the bottom line is take EXTRA care when playing with anything that may have petrol in it.

Don't worry the car is fine

k9handler · 05-25-2003, 09:55 PM

damn Bill...that's gotta be scary! I know I did my fuel pump last month and had to check on things in the same format...only change was I had two friends helping so I could control things a little better...just glad you are ok and no serious damage.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Whoa Bill! Be careful with those burns, it's very easy to underestimate the damage to your skin and the potential infection problems.

Please post a photo so we can ridicule you

Adam · Adam's Garage

Close call, Bill. Glad you're ok.

It could have been a lot worse. Any paint damage to the SC?

Victor · 05-25-2003, 11:26 PM

Krikey. Glad you got out of there OK and your car / garage / house / neighborhood did not get naped.. Sounds like you almost got kebabbed.

CamB · CamB's Garage

I can only echo the Crikey! and hope your ok!!!

Bill Douglas · 05-26-2003, 12:32 AM

LOL. Thanks for your concern guys. No photos though, I'm far to ugly for that!

The car is fine as I had it out in seconds but petrol is scary stuff the way it stays on your skin and burns. I've been doing the vitamin E thing and it just feels like a bad case of sunburn

I took the day of ill, to speed my recovery etc, and got the car back together and it's going beautifully, now all I need to work on are these blisters...

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Aww go on, post a picture...

Wife/girlfriend got an eyebrow pencil to fill that brow back in?!

Sean Hamilton · Sean Hamilton's Garage

Gees Bill!!!
Trying to emulate Schumaker's pit fuel fire at the A1-Ring?
Glad you're not toast! I reckon you used up yet another life with that!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

remember Bill, Nomex is your friend.

911pcars · 05-26-2003, 10:40 AM

Bill,
Ahh, go on. Some of us have Photoshop skills.

I'm glad the injury and damage was relatively minor. This could have been catastrophic, especially from an energized fuel pump. Next time, I'd suggest a remote starter switch (or equivalent with long wires) so any sparks and the operator are a safe distance away ..... either that or bring some hot dogs with you to make this all worth while.

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

Bill Douglas · 05-26-2003, 01:23 PM

Thanks Guys, I'm fine. My boss metioned it to the lunch table at work and all the girls wanted to know how I am and all the guys wanted to know how the car is.

RoninLB · 05-26-2003, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 911pcars

. either that or bring some hot dogs with you to make this all worth while.
Sherwood Lee

yeah.. some thing you gotta be neurotic about.. I've toasted some parts myself over the years.. I try to run for some ice or the freezer for immediate freezer wall contact.. it kinda re-directs the heat energy away from body damage.. never been thrown in a decompression chamber for smoke damage yet/whatever........Ron

Bill Douglas · 05-26-2003, 02:10 PM

LOL Ron.

The cat is white and fluffy and had been hanging out with me under the car - sort of a cat's idea of wanting to help. So it's a good thing she wasn't there for the fire or she would have looked like a toasted marshmellow.

RoninLB · 05-26-2003, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Douglas
[B
she would have looked like a toasted marshmellow. [/B]

that's for sure.. and it's fun trying to catch them when they're in flames, as they set multiple fires.. never BTDT, but I've heard about it.. anyway, I've done the lightly toasted face act trying to find out what's wrong with this carb.. I always figured that wearing glasses made the mirror unnecessary.. IMO, glasses work great, LOL.........Ron