Technical Ever Feel Like You Just Can't Win!?

Started up my 50 Chevy after it has sat for two weeks. Starts fine and then whoosh! Put it out with fire extinguisher but damn! I had really taken my time with all wiring under hood, and have had no problems.
Battery literally has a hole in the side of it and can't imagine what went wrong!

 

could or did your battery cable touch that front pipe? was the damage limited to the battery area?

 

All damage contained to battery and ***ociated wiring. I mean other than the paint on the hood. And the wire by the header pipe is a spark plug wire, but does not touch the pipe.

 

Sounds like maybe the battery had leaked a little hydrogen and a spark set it off. Ihave never had it happen , but a friend did. Hope it turns out for you.

 

yep I can ID a spark plug lead 9 times out of ten but there looks like a mark on the pipe, if the + touched that , melted and shorted there is your problem. If it were hydrogen there would be one hell of a bang and acid everywhere

 

Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to imply you didn't know what the cable was. But the mark on the header is just from the fire extinguisher stuff.

 

from the way thats burned I wouldn't be suprised you have a gasoline leak on the pressure side line of the fuel pump and it sprayed the battery which ignited it . or it was a dead short on the cable but that would only melt the battery were the cable lays .
hydrogen explosions ussually takes the top of the battery off and sounds like a M-80

 

ok running out of ideas..... have a close look at the positive cable and see if its rubbed on something?

 

Are the battery cables damaged all the way to the starter and the block does all the damage to the cable appear to be from the fire? If the cables are damaged along the entire length it would lean toward there being a ground along the positive cable somewhere.

 

I think you did win. 1. You didn't get hurt. 2. You had the wherewithal to keep an extinguisher handy/ready (which I had in the car but forgot about it in the chaos). 3. You didn't lose the whole car like I did.

 

I work third shift, so when I get home in a couple hours I'll be looking even closer at wiring/cables. And you know, a couple years ago I had a gasoline fire on my hot rod model A. And I didn't have a fire extinguisher!
After that I now keep one right inside the door to my garage

 

I had this happen to me one time. Turn the key and the battery blew up. Lucky for me the battery was under the floor and no fire resulted. I think some explosive flumes leaked out and when I turn the key there must of been a spark, which set off the explosive flumes. For this reason, I don't mount the battery any where near the fuel tank. I always wonder if it is really safe to mount the fuel tank and battery side by side, as in a RUP.

 

It's pretty hard for us to figure out what's going on from one picture, and not having seen the engine bay before this happened. One thing that catches my eye is the apparent lack of a battery hold down. Letting things move around, especially battery cables and fuel lines, is not good.

Fortunately you were able to keep the damage down by quick action...good job!

 

When batteries blow up, they blow up, not melt. Look for an ignition or heat source other than hydrogen. Most likely a short somewhere. Glad you didn't loose the car.

 

So when you redo everything would it be possible to relocate the battery to another spot? One that’s away from the engine bay maybe. I like the engine bay clean myself so I put batteries in the rear and run wire through the frame rails. I also use inline fuses
http://www.knukonceptz.com/mobile-a...sp/in-line-waterproof-anl-fuse-holder-w-fuse/ this is the type i like just not the size i use. 600amp works well for me.

 

Wow - so, how far back did wiring melt? actual flames, or just electrical sparks/melt down? you mention doing wiring work, did you start up car at that time?

 

I am glad you weren't hurt and you were able to save the car.And yes I have felt like I couldn't ever win.After 3 years of working on a car I still couldn't drive it so I sold it and got one I can drive now while updating it and working on it.Bruce.

 

I tried to lighten up the photo trying to have a better view.

No doubt about it the positive came in contact with a ground somewhere..

Look under the car and see if the positive cable from the starter is touching the exhaust.

We are just guessing at this point.HRP

 

Damn...sorry to see this! I had a fire under the hood on my 40 Ford pickup from a bad battery connection from a broken battery tray...snapped right off the firewall, and fell against the exhaust while driving, and I saw the 'bubble' on the hood from burning paint before I even smelled the damn smoke!...I slid off the road, and threw dirt on the engine from the side of the road in scoopfuls...what a mess!!! I'm thinking the proximity of the exhaust next to the battery, ''might'' be the culprit....perhaps 'just enough' to melt the wire, which shorted itself....still, I feel for you! And really glad the car was saved!

 

Initiated an insurance claim today, and looked closer at damage to try to find original source of electrical short. Still sort of baffled as it seems as though any and all wire damage seems to encomp*** any ignition wiring. I know there were no pinch points on the wiring as I inspect it very often. It is grounded very well to the motor and the frame. The melting includes positive battery cable right down to the starter, up to the distributor and coil. Even the wire to the choke on the carb is toast. The wiring to the alternator is not burnt or melted. I will get more pic's today to try to better illistrate this somewhat bizzare occurance!

 

I know NOTHING about electrical stuff, but shouldn't the battery be mounted with the posts on the fender side to keep cables away from the engine? Bob

 

Jalopy Joker, yes I drive the wheels of the car, litteraly. And I would have to say wiring is my favorite part of restoring old cars-it's very fun for me. And flames? Definitely! Although the hood was down and all I could see was the bright orange flickering glow from under the car. Tried to open the hood right away but the latch was scorching hot. Was probably good I couldn't open it, as the extra air would've fueled the fire. As it was I squirted the extinguisher through the grill. I knew if I sprayed it upwards it would follow the curviture of the hood and blanket the motor compartment.

 

I had a buddy that caught his choke wire and pinched it with the air cleaner. smoked about the same amount of wiring as you did.

 

I agree with belair. Had one battery explode on an OT Mopar. Made one hell of a bang, and lifted the top off the battery. Left 4 pimples in the hood from the corners of the battery lid hitting the underside of the hood. Your battery and wiring is melted, which points more to shorting and grounding out. Hell hath no fury like a pissed off electron, just sayin'.

 

Call your local fire department and request that their fire investigator have look to determine origin and cause. They will give you a fire incident report for your insurance company.

Best wishes.
Jim