Explosive gases
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Explosive gases
Last weekend I went to the local farm supply store and saw a '51 F-1 parked in the parking lot. Unfortunately, I was driving my daily driver RAM, the F-2 has been laid up for a few weeks but that's another story. Anyways, I parked next to the F-1 and went into the store. I was lucky enough to meet the owner as we both started our trucks. I got out and walked over the guy we started talking old Ford trucks. His truck was stock with a flatty V-8. As we talked he told me he had a slight dent in his hood. He said he had his truck for an extended period of time and the fumes from the new gas laid in his oil panel and he started the truck the gases blew his dipstick out and it hit the underside of his hood. Anyone hear of something like this happening? He said he had to have the engine repaired afterwards. I would think he had some kind of leak in the internals of his engine for this to happen.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 102
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From: Central NJ
It would have had to dump a decent amount of fuel in the crankcase to cause an explosion like that. I've seen dipsticks blow out on the dyno from excessive crankcase pressure, but it was usually after a ring/piston issue at high rpm. Perhaps he was talking about ethanol fuel degrading the carburetor or fuel pump gaskets/seals to allow a lot of fuel to leak into the crankcase.
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
It would have had to dump a decent amount of fuel in the crankcase to cause an explosion like that. I've seen dipsticks blow out on the dyno from excessive crankcase pressure, but it was usually after a ring/piston issue at high rpm. Perhaps he was talking about ethanol fuel degrading the carburetor or fuel pump gaskets/seals to allow a lot of fuel to leak into the crankcase.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2021
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He would have needed gas fumes in the engine and an ignition source. It sounds like the starter was the ignition source to ignite fumes external of the engine and that flash fire somehow ignited the internal fumes. I am not that familiar with the flathead, but maybe there is a vent that could allow something like this to happen.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 495
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From: North Texas
Not to be critical of another owner, and please not to offend. Fuel in your oil pan is very detectable. By simply checking your oil. I’ve been asked why do you smell the dip stick when you check your oil. I was always taut to do that, I even do it when I check the oil on my Harley. No fuel pump there, Just a habit. I check my oil and look in the engine every time or the first time I start it in the day. Just habit I guess. Saved a cats life once, my stupid Neighbors cat. What happened or was just explained I guess can happen, on my 55 sometimes the oil dip stick is not seated on the tube, I always felt it was the vibration off my Y Block. Need to secure my dip stick it’s not fully inserted in the case. The mount for the bolt hole is there. And the hole is a little off or low compaired to the mount on the dip stick tube.AJ
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: SW Missouri
Fuel pump ruptures were not that uncommon back in the day. Once that happens, in a couple minutes, it can pump a lot of fuel into the crankcase. I have had it happen a few times over the years. I was at a friends and he was trying to start a old international with a six cyl. Evidently the pump ruptured and it had enough fuel in oil it exploded and blew the oil pan off. It ripped out the bolt holes on one end of the pan.
The amount of fuel the pump delivers to the carb. in one minute is how much fuel it will deliver to the oil pan if total failure. SO it can dump a lot of fuel in a hurry.
The amount of fuel the pump delivers to the carb. in one minute is how much fuel it will deliver to the oil pan if total failure. SO it can dump a lot of fuel in a hurry.
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I doubt if you'll offend the guy, I only met him the one time and told me the story as we conversed. I have never checked my oil dipstick other than to check the level of oil in the pan. If it looked funny I would hope to notice.
As Larry explained it something like could happen in a matter of minutes and no one would really know to check their oil every time they stopped their trucks. Just one of those freaky accidents that happen like blowing a tire out, never know when it will happen. Like with the oil, I doubt many people check their tires every time they get in and out of the vehicle, I know I don't.
As Larry explained it something like could happen in a matter of minutes and no one would really know to check their oil every time they stopped their trucks. Just one of those freaky accidents that happen like blowing a tire out, never know when it will happen. Like with the oil, I doubt many people check their tires every time they get in and out of the vehicle, I know I don't.
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It doesn't take much gas to make a good pop. Think how little there is in the combustion chamber when the engine fires.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 989
Likes: 113
From: australia
Gas can get into the oil via a bad fuel pump diaphram , and can fuel up the oil .
It will also destroy the engine by degrading the oil and ruining bearings etc .
Haven't heard of an engine blowing up because of it , but it's entirely possible .
It will also destroy the engine by degrading the oil and ruining bearings etc .
Haven't heard of an engine blowing up because of it , but it's entirely possible .
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 495
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From: North Texas
I guess I must be one lucky guy. But this blog concerns me. I guess I am different I all ways check my tires especially when I drove flat bed 14 years when I was a Flight Engineer I checked my tires every time I landed. Saved my crews butt a few times. Your right you never know when your going to have a tire blow out. Had a few of them one tire was only a month old. And not a recap. You see gators all over the highway. I hit one at nite and it bent my drive line. Limped home about 10 mph. Them drive lines are expensive. Should have looked for one in the salvage yard. Bought it from the dealer ship. I can recall I’ve picked up glass,screws,nails. Around my tires. Crap in my radiator and issues in my engine not just the oil. All kinds of crap. Not saying I am perfect just the way I’ve been toght. AJ
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irondragon79
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Jun 24, 2008 04:48 PM