I Thought my Bike was Going to Catch Fire
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Here's the standard lesson. Flash point of gasoline is in a narrow band or range. Rich and lean are common terms along with too rich or too lean to burn. Someone already gave autoignition temp here I think. I am not going to bother to look it up. If it finds an ignition point[fire or spark] it can ignite and flash through the vapor cloud. We create a lot of vapor clouds and as a rule do not show fuels respect. There are a lot of dumb asses in the world and then we have the honest mistakes. They both make it entertaining. It is like the lottery----odds are you will not get all the conditions right without really trying. If you happen to be lucky enough to get all the conditions right and be a winner----it might suck the big one.
Last edited by oldairboater; Apr 5, 2010 at 10:00 AM.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
i used to get freaked out about gas spills and ignition sources, then i made it t o7th grade science class LOL
i have spilled countless amounts of gas on my pipes while they are hot, i also smoke while fueling or filling jerry cans, it is very difficult of gas to ignite in without a spark/heatsource, and even if it does the burn off rate is quick enough that a minor spill will burn off in seconds unless theres a stead stream fro mthe tank, wel before any damage is down to the bike.
if you really want a puckerign expierience try an overflowign carb that backfires and ignites the fuel in the carb throat while its spilling out all over everything
i have spilled countless amounts of gas on my pipes while they are hot, i also smoke while fueling or filling jerry cans, it is very difficult of gas to ignite in without a spark/heatsource, and even if it does the burn off rate is quick enough that a minor spill will burn off in seconds unless theres a stead stream fro mthe tank, wel before any damage is down to the bike.
if you really want a puckerign expierience try an overflowign carb that backfires and ignites the fuel in the carb throat while its spilling out all over everything
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,578
Likes: 19,791
From: Ramona, Ca
Here's the standard lesson. Flash point of gasoline is in a narrow band or range. Someone already gave autoignition temp here I think. I am not going to bother to look it up. If it finds an ignition point[fire or spark] it can ignite and flash through the vapor cloud. We create a lot of vapor clouds and as a rule do not show fuels respect. There are a lot of dumb asses in the world and then we have the honest mistakes. They both make it entertaining. It is like the lottery----odds are you will not get all the conditions right without really trying. If you happen to be lucky enough to get all the conditions right and be a winner----it might suck the big one.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
Likes: 11
From: Northern NY
The you tube video is a good example of why you shouldn't fill steel gas cans in the bed of a vehicle. Placing the cans on the ground will ground them giving the static electricity a chance to discharge thereby removing the danger of a spark caused by static electricity when removing the nozzle from the side of the can. As to smoking when gassing up, well its your desicion, but if you happen to brush your cigarette causing a spark to enter the cloud of fumes balloning out of the can while fueling it will be interesting to say the least. Hauled several different types of hazardous liquids in my driving days and the grounding of vessels and the elimination of an ignition source in the area was stressed upon at all times. If you're not concerned with your safety as least be courteous enough to allow those around you to be aware of the danger. You don't have to be scared of flammables or explosives, just respectful and knowledgeable of their capabilities. As a volunteer emergency responder, I've only seen it once or twice but to arrive on the scene of a flash fire or explosion and see a humans skin hanging from their body like a piece of melted plastic will make an unforgettable impression upon a person's mind.
Last edited by teedubya; Apr 5, 2010 at 11:40 AM. Reason: additions
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
Hey teedubya. Your post reminded me of a question. Years ago I remember gasoline trucks and others used to drag a chain under the trailer to ground it. They also sold straps you could put under your car to eliminate static shocks. I haven't noticed chains under trucks for a long time now and I'm wondering how they have eliminated the threat of static discharge.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
The autoignition temperature or kindling point of a substance is the lowest temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite in a normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition, such as a flame or spark. This temperature is required to supply the activation energy needed for combustion. The temperature at which a chemical will ignite decreases as the pressure increases or oxygen concentration increases. It is usually applied to a combustible fuel mixture
Gasoline is 475-536F depending on blend. My engine temps at cyl head measured with an IR thermometer after running on a Summer day for an hour or more are usually in the 270-280F. So, I imagine the exhaust pipes are at 300F tops. However, if you supply any spark or flame (cigarette, battery, starter, cell phone) of any kind under that situation...it will ignite.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
i used to get freaked out about gas spills and ignition sources, then i made it t o7th grade science class LOL
i have spilled countless amounts of gas on my pipes while they are hot, i also smoke while fueling or filling jerry cans, it is very difficult of gas to ignite in without a spark/heatsource, and even if it does the burn off rate is quick enough that a minor spill will burn off in seconds unless theres a stead stream fro mthe tank, wel before any damage is down to the bike.
if you really want a puckerign expierience try an overflowign carb that backfires and ignites the fuel in the carb throat while its spilling out all over everything
i have spilled countless amounts of gas on my pipes while they are hot, i also smoke while fueling or filling jerry cans, it is very difficult of gas to ignite in without a spark/heatsource, and even if it does the burn off rate is quick enough that a minor spill will burn off in seconds unless theres a stead stream fro mthe tank, wel before any damage is down to the bike.
if you really want a puckerign expierience try an overflowign carb that backfires and ignites the fuel in the carb throat while its spilling out all over everything
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From:
Looked at the Amerada Hess Corporations MSDS (material safety data sheet) at the below link. You can find all the characteristics for gasoline here.
Flashpoint is -45 F (-43 C)
Autoignition temperature is >530 F.
The lower explosive limit is 1.4%
The upper explosive limit is 7.6%
Plus a whole lot more.
Also, remember that gasoline contains Benzene, this is a know carcinogen (excuse my spelin). In the chemical industry, you must be tested if you come in contact with 1ppm or greater Benzene.
http://www.evnut.com/docs/gasoline_msds.pdf
Hope this helps,
Mike
Flashpoint is -45 F (-43 C)
Autoignition temperature is >530 F.
The lower explosive limit is 1.4%
The upper explosive limit is 7.6%
Plus a whole lot more.
Also, remember that gasoline contains Benzene, this is a know carcinogen (excuse my spelin). In the chemical industry, you must be tested if you come in contact with 1ppm or greater Benzene.
http://www.evnut.com/docs/gasoline_msds.pdf
Hope this helps,
Mike
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Seal Beach CA
Now that I'm "older" ..... I'm probably "over-cautious" when it comes to fuel and fire .... but then again, I've never been on fire either .... better safe than sorry.
with that being said .... We did used to play "fire-ball" as a teenager... you take a tennis ball, soak it in gasoline, bounce a couple time to get the excess gas off ... toss it, light it, grab it, and quickly throw it to your friend .... sure, you'd burn all the hair off your hand and lower arm ... but it was way cool at night ! Oh, to be young again ....
with that being said .... We did used to play "fire-ball" as a teenager... you take a tennis ball, soak it in gasoline, bounce a couple time to get the excess gas off ... toss it, light it, grab it, and quickly throw it to your friend .... sure, you'd burn all the hair off your hand and lower arm ... but it was way cool at night ! Oh, to be young again ....
MYTHBUSTERS DID TEST THE GASOLINE AND CIGG MYTH. I THOUGHT I REMEMBERED THEM TESTING THIS, BUT HERE IS THE RESULTS, LAST MYTH TESTED AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE. I SEEM TO REMBER THAT A FLAME WAS NEEDED TO LIGHT LIQUID GAS AND A CHERRY OF A CIGG JUST WASNT HOT ENOUGH.
http://mythbustersresults.com/special7
BUT THIS IS STILL SOMETHING I DONT WANT TO EXPERIENCE. NOT ONLY THE HOT PIPES AND GAS, BUT THE CLEAN UP TO GET THE FUEL OFF EVERYTHING.
http://mythbustersresults.com/special7
BUT THIS IS STILL SOMETHING I DONT WANT TO EXPERIENCE. NOT ONLY THE HOT PIPES AND GAS, BUT THE CLEAN UP TO GET THE FUEL OFF EVERYTHING.