It took 1.5 full size powder exinguishers to put out my engine fire last October. The flames were up to the opened engine lid (2.5ft?). The fire re-ignited 3 times before the fuel pressure dropped enough. Scorched my hair and eyebrows. In my case, I doubt if the Element would've allowed me to get close enough to put out the fire. Obviously, you use what you have when it happens and I happened to have several extinguishers in my garage at the time.
Regarding corrosion of the materials with powder - it's absolutely true. The intake manifolds were jammed closed to the point where the linkage broke when trying to move them. Kudos to Dan and Dan at RMG (Real Mean Garage) in Sunnyvale who cleaned and did the repairs. Pictures before and after $3500.[
