Snowmobile fire - fire extinguishers?

ITD · 12-28-2017, 02:51 PM

If my snowmobile catches fire, the only thing I'm doing is getting as far away from it as I can.

Kamper · 12-28-2017, 05:07 PM

I think the advice given by my NHMP safety instructor, for PWC's, may apply here with some obvious modification.

'If you have a fire, throw your fire extinguisher into the water, then jump in after it.'

If you have a sled fire, you are probably going to need to have it dragged out regardless of it's condition. It may not be worth the risk of injury to minimize machine damage.

Good luck!

sluggo · 12-28-2017, 05:38 PM

I took this picture about five years ago on the crossing the broads. bad day for this guy !

Winnisquamer · 12-29-2017, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

If my snowmobile catches fire, the only thing I'm doing is getting as far away from it as I can.

And calling my insurance agent!

dippasan · 01-03-2018, 11:32 AM

My sled caught fire last March in the Carrabassett Valley in Maine. My wife and I had just filled up with fuel. That being said there was NO WAY I was going to make any attempt to put it out. I did not want to get close to it. We knew that once the gas tank was breached it would get bad and it did.
The heat was so intense it started to make the trail side trees smolder a bit. We backed away 50' or so and watched it go up in disbelief. It was gone in an hour. The only thing left was the engine, some suspension parts and 108 pics.

chipj29 · 01-05-2018, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dippasan

My sled caught fire last March in the Carrabassett Valley in Maine. My wife and I had just filled up with fuel. That being said there was NO WAY I was going to make any attempt to put it out. I did not want to get close to it. We knew that once the gas tank was breached it would get bad and it did.
The heat was so intense it started to make the trail side trees smolder a bit. We backed away 50' or so and watched it go up in disbelief. It was gone in an hour. The only thing left was the engine, some suspension parts and 108 pics.

Ouch, that hurts to see. Do you know what caused it?

dippasan · 01-10-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

Ouch, that hurts to see. Do you know what caused it?

I can't really say for sure what caused it but I think the engine went into a lean condition and melted piston/cylinder. The flames shooting out the right side while I was riding melted my snow pants and boot. If the fuel filter on the injected sleds gets clogged the engine goes very lean. Lean means very hot which is catastrophic for a 2 stroke. It definitely was not the brakes being locked on as some think.
On another note I bought a Ski doo 800 etec this year to try something different. Not happy.

rsmlp · 01-19-2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

If my snowmobile catches fire, the only thing I'm doing is getting as far away from it as I can.

Amen, brother.

ApS · 02-13-2018, 04:59 AM

'Not trying to out-do FLL, but thought I'd archive a forum quote from a few years back.

⇾ This quote actually has little to do with fire extinguishers!

Quote:

"Thus, I can tell you how it feels when you’ve lived a completely fire extinguisher-free life, and suddenly have a fire extinguisher under your roof. Your instincts tell you: we don’t need it. It’s threatening. Fires happen to people who own fire extinguishers."

Socrates would've approved.

.

12-28-2017, 05:38 PM	#3
sluggo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 170 Thanks: 13 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	I took this picture about five years ago on the crossing the broads. bad day for this guy ! Attached Images

01-03-2018, 11:32 AM	#5
dippasan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hooksett NH and Sleepers Isl Posts: 394 Thanks: 291 Thanked 192 Times in 85 Posts	My trail side cookout last year My sled caught fire last March in the Carrabassett Valley in Maine. My wife and I had just filled up with fuel. That being said there was NO WAY I was going to make any attempt to put it out. I did not want to get close to it. We knew that once the gas tank was breached it would get bad and it did. The heat was so intense it started to make the trail side trees smolder a bit. We backed away 50' or so and watched it go up in disbelief. It was gone in an hour. The only thing left was the engine, some suspension parts and 108 pics. Attached Images __________________ Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity

12-28-2017, 02:51 PM	#1
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 479 Thanked 695 Times in 390 Posts	If my snowmobile catches fire, the only thing I'm doing is getting as far away from it as I can.

12-28-2017, 05:07 PM	#2
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	I think the advice given by my NHMP safety instructor, for PWC's, may apply here with some obvious modification. 'If you have a fire, throw your fire extinguisher into the water, then jump in after it.' If you have a sled fire, you are probably going to need to have it dragged out regardless of it's condition. It may not be worth the risk of injury to minimize machine damage. Good luck!