Rig destroyed today!

[TucsonJim]

Ginnie and I have been on the road since mid June. This morning I developed a sudden fuel leak in my 2013 F350. It ignited before I could get stopped. Ginnie, our doggie and I bailed out of the truck and the cab was quickly engulfed in flames.

The fire spread to our 2014 Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel. The truck, FW, and all of our personal possessions were destroyed. We were able to buy some clothes tonight and we'll drive the 1800 miles to home in a rental car. When I get home, I'll post some pictures.

Tucson Jim

[Irelands_child]

GoPackGo wrote:
He may mean 55mph truck speed. The wind would blow fuel droplets everywhere.

A 55+/- mph breeze under the hood can generated by that big fan not by anything external such as the truck doing that speed. That fan 'wind' can at least break the leaked fuel into more easily ignited droplets though not quite to the point of atomization as it would be at the injectors, post HP fuel pump.

All this reminds me - the change fuel filter message (also oil and coolant which means lotsa bucks) just came up on the dash info screen of my 6.7 powered Ford ---- :E

[GoPackGo]

He may mean 55mph truck speed. The wind would blow fuel droplets everywhere.

[jcain]

TucsonJim wrote:

jcain wrote:
It really takes a lot of prolonged heat exposure to ignite liquid diesel. Seems odd. Glad no one was hurt and all ended well, considering the circumstances.

That may be true, but when it is being sprayed at 55mph, quite a bit is vaporized and no longer in a "liquid" state. The auto ignition temperature of diesel is actually lower than gasoline.

Diesel is 410F
Gasoline is 477-536F.

the exhaust manifold at highway speed is typically 700-800F.



Jim

Not sure what 55mph has to do with anything but that's the low pressure side of the fuel system still (pre cp4) and is roughly 58psi, no where close to any atomization.

[austingta]

Since this would have been a comprehensive claim, and not an at-fault accident, your insurance may not go up.

[TucsonJim]

jcain wrote:
It really takes a lot of prolonged heat exposure to ignite liquid diesel. Seems odd. Glad no one was hurt and all ended well, considering the circumstances.

That may be true, but when it is being sprayed at 55mph, quite a bit is vaporized and no longer in a "liquid" state. The auto ignition temperature of diesel is actually lower than gasoline.

Diesel is 410F
Gasoline is 477-536F.

the exhaust manifold at highway speed is typically 700-800F.



Jim

[TucsonJim]

Irelands child wrote:
Jim, I'm glad that you have had a positive experience with your insurance company and are getting ready to return to the highways.

A note about that secondary fuel filter in the engine compartment on '11 up Ford 6.7 diesels. The fittings on it are slip fit with a clip that manually locks each line in place. It is a little difficult to see those clips but a good tug on the lines will verify that they are firmly attached. A non Ford service facility in particular may not be aware that the clips need to be pushed back in place. And yes, I have had a big engine compartment spill from a so-called mechanic not doing that very thing and why I do my own now. That primary filter on the frame is another story but they can be 'tender', breaking off the plastic cast on nut and dropping a few gallons of fuel before you can turn the canister the needed 3 turns to close the check valve.

I've read quite a few stories of owners having a fuel leak from the engine filter hoses coming off. I just wish mine hadn't decided to be the one to erupt into flames. But I'd been towing for a few hours when it lit off. I did some research on diesel fuel. the auto ignition temperature is around 410F. The turbo runs around 800F when it's under load. All I know is that when I got the Low Fuel Pressure warning, we were on fire within a few seconds. When I had my filter changed, it was at an itty-bitty dealership in the U.P. of Michigan. I'm not sure the kid working on it sees very many diesel engines. The bad thing is there was no evidence left to confirm the cause of the fire, so it looks like I'm the one holding the ball when it comes to my insurance rates going up.

Jim

[jcain]

It really takes a lot of prolonged heat exposure to ignite liquid diesel. Seems odd. Glad no one was hurt and all ended well, considering the circumstances.

[Irelands_child]

Jim, I'm glad that you have had a positive experience with your insurance company and are getting ready to return to the highways.

A note about that secondary fuel filter in the engine compartment on '11 up Ford 6.7 diesels. The fittings on it are slip fit with a clip that manually locks each line in place. It is a little difficult to see those clips but a good tug on the lines will verify that they are firmly attached. A non Ford service facility in particular may not be aware that the clips need to be pushed back in place. And yes, I have had a big engine compartment spill from a so-called mechanic not doing that very thing and why I do my own now. That primary filter on the frame is another story but they can be 'tender', breaking off the plastic cast on nut and dropping a few gallons of fuel before you can turn the canister the needed 3 turns to close the check valve.

[Coach-man]

Glad the ordeal is almost over! Sounds like you had a good insurance company! Enjoy your new Grand Design!

[Redaman]

TucsonJim wrote:
Ginnie and I have been on the road since mid June. This morning I developed a sudden fuel leak in my 2013 F350. It ignited before I could get stopped. Ginnie, our doggie and I bailed out of the truck and the cab was quickly engulfed in flames.

The fire spread to our 2014 Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel. The truck, FW, and all of our personal possessions were destroyed. We were able to buy some clothes tonight and we'll drive the 1800 miles to home in a rental car. When I get home, I'll post some pictures.

Tucson Jim

Horrible ordeal. Glad you and your family are safe.

[azdryheat]

Partly because of this thread I added two more fire bottles to my camper; one in the bedroom and one in the garage.

[partsman01]

I have some, some halon and some dry chemical, have a 30 lb I believe Co2 in garage, maybe I should see about carrying that one.
Oh and a couple water ones.

[transamz9]

TucsonJim wrote:

FirefighterCamper wrote:
Sorry to hear about your loss. Glad to hear you guys got out ok.
I know you have made contact with your insurance company, you may also want to check to see if there have been any issues like this with other trucks of the same model. Make sure a good insurance investigation is done, this will help your insurance company possibly recover cost from a know or previously reported issue with the rig.

Good luck and hope to see you guys back on the road very soon.

PS I would be in trouble if I did not also add, make sure you have "Fire Extinguishers" close by, and you have been trained on how to use them. You need a big one for the truck and one for the camper.

Be safe:::::::)

We filed reports about the fire with the NHTSA and Ford. The insurance company will not pay for an investigation because they realize there was not enough left to find the root cause of the fire. I don't blame them on that.

As for fire extinguishers, I have already taken care of that. Two 5 pound dry chemical ABC extinguishers will be in the trailer, and one in the truck.

As for getting on the road again - The new trailer will be delivered in about two weeks!



Jim

Glad you are getting back on tract. I need to get me a couple good extinguishers in my truck and camper too. The boat is the only thing I have a good sized one in.

[laknox]

Jim, if you stick with Ford, you might want to re-think that extinguisher distribution! :B:B:B:B

Lyle