Joined: Mon Nov 16 2009, 04:01PM
Location: Lompoc, CA
Posts: 43
I had a close call yesterday, I went to heat up one of the heater hose nipples on my engine (out of the car) and just as I moved the torch to it I got a big BOOM!. There was no distributor in it at the time and I must have ignited some vapors in the block. Not something I was thinking about, even then I probably would have assumed it would have been clear after having been open for a couple weeks.
The valley pan will need to be replaced along with at least one of the valve cover gaskets.
The question is, is there anything else I should look at?
Joined: Mon Nov 16 2009, 04:01PM
Location: Lompoc, CA
Posts: 43
It didn't really scare me more than surprise me and made me step back quick more confused that scared. After I thought about it I realized what happened.
I had a close call yesterday, I went to heat up one of the heater hose nipples on my engine (out of the car) and just as I moved the torch to it I got a big BOOM!. There was no distributor in it at the time and I must have ignited some vapors in the block. Not something I was thinking about, even then I probably would have assumed it would have been clear after having been open for a couple weeks.
The valley pan will need to be replaced along with at least one of the valve cover gaskets.
The question is, is there anything else I should look at?
Thanks,
Alan
Nice instincts with the camera... still a little smoke in that first pic... I'd probably still be changing my underwear at that point.
FWIW, with the V/C still on, nothing really allowed any stray vapors to escape... I'd say whatever fuel/solvent/penetrating oil vapors collected there were minor. I can't see anything getting damaged, other than the bent valley pan, but give the valve covers a good looking over.
I have a question... did you drain the oil before this? I could see some increased likelihood of vapors building up if they were still separating from the oil in the crankcase.
