Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*bisquik65* · 10-19-2005, 09:17 AM

You know these lights allways fall on the ground and the bulb pops!!!Now with fuel vapors in the air from a newer car or truck with fuel pump in tank....(thats why i like old trucks) you have gas everywhere and when the light falls as you get out from under the car/truck....It is instant explosion and fire !!!!! Whatever you do,make sure you do not do this!!!

2 shops were burnt to the ground ,including one chevy dealer shop....because of this...Its not good when you loose your ride,tools,shop,and mabye get hurt really bad...

This has not happened to me,just found out from friends....Erick

Joe67 · 10-19-2005, 09:20 AM

Why would there be more vapors from newer trucks then older trucks?

An open fuel system is an open fuel system...

cdowns · 10-19-2005, 02:04 PM

if you spend the money for a good explosionproff drop light there won't be a problem// the $4.99 homedepot ones are dangerous even not around gastanks

*bisquik65* · 10-19-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67c10step

Why would there be more vapors from newer trucks then older trucks?

An open fuel system is an open fuel system...

What i was getting at is you don't have to work on the fuel tank in a old truck that often..

.And 67-72 tanks inside the cabs dont rust ...to bad...

I try and fix them outside when i can...

Your right,all tanks put off vapors....

Joe67 · 10-19-2005, 05:09 PM

Gotcha

Brainchild · 10-23-2005, 10:34 PM

I have thought of this,and I do a lot of fuel pumps replacements too

I had a guy swap his fuel pump in his S10 a few days ago.I went to town,and came back to find him sitting there beside an open tank,with the sending unit in his hand,removing the fuel pump.WITH A CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH!

I took that thing away from him,and put the pump together,back in the tank,and told him to go smoke,and then come over and finish up.I mean I was nice enough to loan him the tools,and place to work,he couild have used some sense

gizmo · 11-11-2005, 09:53 AM

Don't use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt away from the sending unit before you remove it either. I found out the hard way. It sucked the gas fumes out of the tank and the vacuum cleaner went KABOOM! It blew into five different pieces and flew twentyfive feet in the air. I put the vacuum cleaner back together and put it back in the wifes closet without saying anything. The next time the wife used it she thanked me for fixing it. She said it works twice as powerful now.

Tx Firefighter · 11-11-2005, 05:06 PM

That's one reason so many guys are using flourescent drop lights nowdays. They don't shatter when dropped like an incadescent bulb does.

They also don't get hot enough to burn you if they fall onto skin or scorch upholstery either.

LONGHAIR · 11-13-2005, 08:02 AM

Yeah^^^^ burn yourself while upside-down under a dash.........and you will switch to flourescent, and never go back.

Moostifer · 11-29-2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmo

Don't use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt away from the sending unit before you remove it either. I found out the hard way. It sucked the gas fumes out of the tank and the vacuum cleaner went KABOOM! It blew into five different pieces and flew twentyfive feet in the air. I put the vacuum cleaner back together and put it back in the wifes closet without saying anything. The next time the wife used it she thanked me for fixing it. She said it works twice as powerful now.

that's the funniest thing I've read in a long time!

*bisquik65* · 11-30-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moostifer

that's the funniest thing I've read in a long time!

That would be funny to see on video....

Hey someone e-mail mythbusters and get them to do it.... so all of us can see it...

784X4GUY · 12-21-2005, 01:09 PM

I've never used one always using the ole trusty maglight....Mike

BigMike · 12-24-2005, 10:42 PM

Guys, I've had it happen to me before. About 17+ years ago I was helping my brother change out the fuel filter in his VW bug. It was located under the rear of the bug where the fuel line transfers from the pan (chassis) to the engine compartment. I had a drop light hanging from one of the holes in the underside of the rear fender and was changing the filter (drivers side rear wheel was off). Well there was gas everywhere, I had pinched off the line from the tank with my small vise grips, but the fuel emptied out of the carb rather quickly. I was getting up to get the new filter when I bumpted the light. It fumbed around for a few seconds as I tried to grab it before it hit...WHOOOSH! I was lucky to have gotten up quickly when it hit (I had gas all the way down my arm). My brother went flying into the back yard to get a hose as I am trying to push it the rest of the way out of my garage (attached garage).

He got the fire out immediately and we both caught our breath, it could have been much worse. I no longer use drop lights anywhere near fuel anymore

I have another long fuel burning story (kinda funny), but that is for another day.

Mike

77C15 · 02-03-2006, 01:21 PM

This is what happens when someone next door drops a light into fuel on the floor. I was lucky, most of my parts were stored outside in a trailer.

10-19-2005, 09:17 AM	#1
bisquik65 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.C. high country Posts: 6,107	Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! You know these lights allways fall on the ground and the bulb pops!!!Now with fuel vapors in the air from a newer car or truck with fuel pump in tank....(thats why i like old trucks) you have gas everywhere and when the light falls as you get out from under the car/truck....It is instant explosion and fire !!!!! Whatever you do,make sure you do not do this!!! 2 shops were burnt to the ground ,including one chevy dealer shop....because of this...Its not good when you loose your ride,tools,shop,and mabye get hurt really bad... This has not happened to me,just found out from friends....Erick

10-19-2005, 09:20 AM	#2
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! Why would there be more vapors from newer trucks then older trucks? An open fuel system is an open fuel system... __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-19-2005, 02:04 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! if you spend the money for a good explosionproff drop light there won't be a problem// the $4.99 homedepot ones are dangerous even not around gastanks __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-19-2005, 05:09 PM	#5
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! Gotcha __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-23-2005, 10:34 PM	#6
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! I have thought of this,and I do a lot of fuel pumps replacements too I had a guy swap his fuel pump in his S10 a few days ago.I went to town,and came back to find him sitting there beside an open tank,with the sending unit in his hand,removing the fuel pump.WITH A CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH! I took that thing away from him,and put the pump together,back in the tank,and told him to go smoke,and then come over and finish up.I mean I was nice enough to loan him the tools,and place to work,he couild have used some sense __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website Last edited by Brainchild; 10-23-2005 at 10:35 PM.

11-11-2005, 09:53 AM	#7
gizmo 100% Beefcake Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: LaVale, Maryland Posts: 246	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! Don't use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt away from the sending unit before you remove it either. I found out the hard way. It sucked the gas fumes out of the tank and the vacuum cleaner went KABOOM! It blew into five different pieces and flew twentyfive feet in the air. I put the vacuum cleaner back together and put it back in the wifes closet without saying anything. The next time the wife used it she thanked me for fixing it. She said it works twice as powerful now. __________________ 1969 C10,350,4:11 posi, Fast Enough 1984 Monte Carlo SS 1987 Chevy S-10, 355 w/150 Shot of Nitrous, Fun,Fun 1938 Nash Lafayette 1956 MG Magnette

11-11-2005, 05:06 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! That's one reason so many guys are using flourescent drop lights nowdays. They don't shatter when dropped like an incadescent bulb does. They also don't get hot enough to burn you if they fall onto skin or scorch upholstery either. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-13-2005, 08:02 AM	#9
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! Yeah^^^^ burn yourself while upside-down under a dash.........and you will switch to flourescent, and never go back.

12-21-2005, 01:09 PM	#12
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! I've never used one always using the ole trusty maglight....Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

12-24-2005, 10:42 PM	#13
BigMike Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita - SoCal Posts: 1,432	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! Guys, I've had it happen to me before. About 17+ years ago I was helping my brother change out the fuel filter in his VW bug. It was located under the rear of the bug where the fuel line transfers from the pan (chassis) to the engine compartment. I had a drop light hanging from one of the holes in the underside of the rear fender and was changing the filter (drivers side rear wheel was off). Well there was gas everywhere, I had pinched off the line from the tank with my small vise grips, but the fuel emptied out of the carb rather quickly. I was getting up to get the new filter when I bumpted the light. It fumbed around for a few seconds as I tried to grab it before it hit...WHOOOSH! I was lucky to have gotten up quickly when it hit (I had gas all the way down my arm). My brother went flying into the back yard to get a hose as I am trying to push it the rest of the way out of my garage (attached garage). He got the fire out immediately and we both caught our breath, it could have been much worse. I no longer use drop lights anywhere near fuel anymore I have another long fuel burning story (kinda funny), but that is for another day. Mike __________________ Mike My 69 SWB Project Father/Son 72 Nova Project My Airbrushed RC Car Bodies

02-03-2006, 01:21 PM	#14
77C15 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mississauaga, ON, Canada Posts: 23	Re: Dont use a droplight when working on a fuel tank!! This is what happens when someone next door drops a light into fuel on the floor. I was lucky, most of my parts were stored outside in a trailer. Attached Images



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