Am I the only one who didn't know antifreeze was flammable? Or is this some sort of freak reaction?

Dallas and I did some work on our cars today, including changing the thermostat on mine. You know, right up on the block, drain the radiator first. So we do. Some of the drained coolant got on the wrap on my Tomei header.

I figured, no big deal, it'll "burn" off. I didn't know how right I'd be! We stopped for gas before hitting the highway. When I popped my hood to check for leaks, the header was on fire. En Fuego. Flames were all along the crossover, licking the bottom of the block. If it wasn't for the bottle of water in my car, I dunno what would have happened. Anyway, I bought more water, drove it hard, checked every mile or so, and all is well now. No more burny-burny.

CN: Header wrap was soaked in antifreeze and literally caught fire when the car was run. Water put it out, and it hasn't come back.

 

When I read En Fuego I laughed so hard I almost shat myself. Wonderful.

 

JESUS!

thats good to know.. be safe now

 

Hehehe...so did I

 

Damn brah good you allright! Haha that's why I cut my heatwrap.. Thanks to the info of warren. It definetly is a fire hazard.. Fire! Haha

 

i learned something new!....

 

Wow, thanks for the info... Header wrap + coolant = Fire

 

yeah glycol is flammable.....
http://www.croberts.com/coolant.htm

 

Header wrap is a poor solution. Coating is much better IMHO.

San

 

Crucial heat coating > heat wrap

 

It's ceramic coated and wrapped. Enthalpy is a turbos best friend, right?

 

What he said...yeah that's most of what makes anti-freeze...anti-freezable. Just like how alcohol doesn't freeze.

So is the wrap charred to a crisp or was it just burning the liquid that was on it?

 

mostly just the liquid. there's a little charring, but not bad. more of a singe.

 

glad everything is ok, and thanks for the heads up