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Front fuel tank safety?
A friend of mine was saying recently, that the old VW Bugs were dangerous because the fuel tanks were located in front of the driver. 911's, of course, have fuel tanks in the front too. So here's my question... has the front placement of the 911's fuel tank ever been a safety issue/concern?
-MAS
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77 911S Targa (current car) 87 924S (my previous car) |
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09-30-2003, 11:46 AM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,537
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No
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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09-30-2003, 11:51 AM
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Then why not? Are our fuel tanks made out of a much stronger, crash-resistant material? I'm assuming the answer is probably, yes.
-MAS
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77 911S Targa (current car) 87 924S (my previous car) |
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09-30-2003, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Indiana
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No. Just take a look at Kurt's avatar...Heck he's sittin' in his!
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Keeper of the Titanium Monkey 1975 911S (sold) 1973 911 w/3.2 (sold) 1983 911SC targa (sold) Looking for a 987.2 or 981 Cayman |
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09-30-2003, 11:59 AM
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Home of the Whopper
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Don’t the front heaters bleed gas right from the tank and ignite it to heat the cockpit? So now you have an open flame right behind the gas tank, right in front of you!
WOW!!
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“The wave is not the water. The water merely told us about the wave moving by” – Buckminster Fuller |
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09-30-2003, 01:41 PM
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My guess is that it depends on what will puncture the tank in a frontal collision.
Apparently it is dangerous in the rear and on the side of some cars and trucks (Pinto, Chevy Pick-up?, Crown Victoria) but not on others. From what I've seen the danger is typically a bolt or other protrusion that facilitates a dangerous rupture.
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Warren & Ron, may you rest in Peace. Last edited by RickM; 09-30-2003 at 02:18 PM.. |
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09-30-2003, 01:56 PM
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GAFB
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
Posts: 7,842
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Makes me more nervous having a tank behind me. I am pretty sure I'm not going to ram anyone and blow up my tank in the 911. However, in most other cars with a rear-mounted tank, I can't rely on the soccer mom behind me to not crush my rear end and send me to a fiery grave.
911s derive their heat from air/exhaust gas heat exchangers that are integrated with the exhaust "headers". The earliest 911s had supplementary heat from gas-fired Webasto heaters. These are uber-rare; I have never seen an installed/functioning unit on a 911. And I agree, THOSE are scary...
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09-30-2003, 02:08 PM
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What About The plastic Ones? My 911 E has one?
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10-01-2003, 10:26 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nanny State
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The front pan and section of the 911 is one tough mother...I wouldn't fret it for street driving, and any form of real road racing will warrant a fuel cell anyway.
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'84 Carrera Coupe |
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10-01-2003, 01:08 PM
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Location: Planet Eugene
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General practice is to put the tank where it is least likely to puncture -- and that is usually near the driver. Look at the Boxster's location.
Am. pickup side-saddle tanks are some of the most dangerous ever made. The Pinto was prob. worse. Lee Iaccoca decided to svae $8/car by not putting in a shield -- even tho his safety engineers told him and his upper mgmt. to do so. That's why the maimed survivors and their next of kin were able to win that big tort suit. |
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10-01-2003, 06:30 PM
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Olive
The Turtle
Ruby
Brownie
1985 Porsche 911 3.2 (Still in the stable)
1993 BMW 740 IL (Sold)
1985 Mercedes 380 SL (Sold)
1992 Harley Davidson Fatboy (Sold)
1971 Mercedes 280 SL (Currently being restored)
1973 Porsche 911E 6-2.4 MFI
