Fire Vulnerability

[rickf]

Even with the tank nearly empty the only thing in there is gasoline and gasoline vapor, there is no oxygen so if there were a spark there would be no fire or explosion. NOW, With the M-151 with that HUGE gas fill opening. If you had the gas cap off and the pump sparked I am sure things would get real interesting real fast. But as long as the cap is on the oxygen level would be too low.

[acudanut]

Rick, My 73 dodge Pick up still had the gas tank behind the front seat. It's is the vapor, not the gas that will make it explode. However, i would rather not try either. Horrible way to die.

[rickf]

Yes, it is the vapor, but you need a roughly 14 to one ratio of oxygen to gas vapor for that explosion to occur. In a gas tank the vapor is about pure, almost zero oxygen. You can put a lit match to the gas filler and it will light the vapors at the filler and sometimes even give a whoosh as it clears out the filler neck but it will not light the tank since there is no oxygen down there. Unlike in the movies. 25 years in the fire company and I never saw a car flat out explode.