Electrical Hazzard Question

19Fordy

19Fordy

Well-known member
Today a gas line broke and saturated the cloth covered wiring that comes out of the kidney shaped box on the firewall and also the wiring harness that feeds the headlights and dash wiring. Since the cloth wiring harness absorbed the gasolene is there a danger of an electrical fire from the gasolene creating a "short" between the cloth covered wires inside the harness? I don't want to cause an electrical fire. Do I have to wait until the gasolene has completely evaporated from the cloth wiring before I can start and drive my car? It's a 1940 Ford. Thanks, JIM
 
19Fordy said:
Today a gas line broke and saturated the cloth covered wiring that comes out of the kidney shaped box on the firewall and also the wiring harness that feeds the headlights and dash wiring. Since the cloth wiring harness absorbed the gasolene is there a danger of an electrical fire from the gasolene creating a "short" between the cloth covered wires inside the harness? I don't want to cause an electrical fire. Do I have to wait until the gasolene has completely evaporated from the cloth wiring before I can start and drive my car? It's a 1940 Ford. Thanks, JIM
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If that's original wiring :eek:, now would be a great time to replace it and not worry. You can get a cloth-covered modern plastic wiring harness that looks original, but is safe! :)
 
From an OSHA perspective, you should probably put the car in a drum and mark it "Hazardous". On the practical side, gasoline fumes burn and as long as they are gone I would think it safe. I would make sure it is dry and maybe force some compressed air under the cover and along any previously saturated wires.
 
19Fordy said:
Today a gas line broke and saturated the cloth covered wiring that comes out of the kidney shaped box on the firewall and also the wiring harness that feeds the headlights and dash wiring. Since the cloth wiring harness absorbed the gasolene is there a danger of an electrical fire from the gasolene creating a "short" between the cloth covered wires inside the harness? I don't want to cause an electrical fire. Do I have to wait until the gasolene has completely evaporated from the cloth wiring before I can start and drive my car? It's a 1940 Ford. Thanks, JIM
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Boy your lucky you didn't have a fire.dont ask how i know. I would replace the harnesses involved. OMO ken ct.
 
40cpe>>> On the practical side, gasoline fumes burn and as long as they are gone I would think it safe. I would make sure it is dry and maybe force some compressed air under the cover and along any previously saturated wires.>>>

x2

Jack E/NJ
 
If your engine doesn't fire when it's flooded then I would doubt that it would spark in this situation. As long as the areas temperature is less than the flashpoint of gasoline. Give it a couple hours to dissipate the fumes an you'll be fine. Probably.
 
If you have the later cloth covered harness I wouldn't worry. Most, if not all, the later harnesses have wire that is covered in plastic insulation(fuel and oil proof plastic) and then covered with the cloth.
 
Thanks for all the info. and replies. It is a repro wiring harness that I installed in 1988 and is still in perfect condition. I will check to see if the wires are plastic covered and then covered with cloth. Plus, I think I will give it a few more days to dry out. Thanks, JIM
 
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