When an engine overheats...

[BlackSymbiote]

Is it possible for it to catch fire if you keep using it?

If not, what happens?

I've never had this happen to me before and I need to know for a story I'm writing.

 

[Maxwell Smart]

Dude, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS pull over as soon as possible when you overheat. If you don't you'll ruin the engine, and thats the last thing you want.

 

[BlackSymbiote]

Dude, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS pull over as soon as possible when you overheat. If you don't you'll ruin the engine, and thats the last thing you want.

I KNOW that much. It's happened to my mom a few times and I still remember those from when I was just a boy.

As I said, I'm writing a story and I need to know if an engine can catch fire from overheating.

As it's an action story, I'd like at least ONE real thing to happen.

 

[Superman79]

I KNOW that much. It's happened to my mom a few times and I still remember those from when I was just a boy.

As I said, I'm writing a story and I need to know if an engine can catch fire from overheating.

As it's an action story, I'd like at least ONE real thing to happen.

it's a possibility...it depends on the state of the engine, the oil, etc...but it is possible

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

not sure if it would catch on fire from just overheating, your engine would probably seize and destory itself first

http://www.carrsmith.com/cooling system.htm

 

[Superman79]

not sure if it would catch on fire from just overheating, your engine would probably seize and destory itself first

http://www.carrsmith.com/cooling%20system.htm

true but if there was enough dirt and gunk in/on the engine you could get a friction fire [shrug]

 

[redmarvel]

I was watching one of those "real life" shows about things cops see when they pull fools over...

This twit had decided that since he didn't have enough trunk space for all his camping supplied he would store some of them in the engine compartment...

One of the things he stored in the engine compartment was the fuel for his camp stove...

Do that and not only will your engine catch fire, it's liable to blow up too.

 

[Maxwell Smart]

One of the things he stored in the engine compartment was the fuel for his camp stove...

Do that and not only will your engine catch fire, it's liable to blow up too.

Wow, just think, he could have been killed. Surely the Space Program would've suffered. XD

 

[redmarvel]

Or you could have your character drive a Ford Truck with an electrical short...

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/f150_fires.htm