Motor Oil Fire Question?

Question

I was stupid last night...went to put oil in my car after I'd been driving, so the engine was warm. I spilled some and it caught fire. My first reaction was to get flour to put the fire out. I did that, then later on after it had all cooled off, I sprayed the engine off with water to get the flour off. This morning i sprayed it off again, but it still smells like there's flour burning off, and was still smoking a little bit after I drove to work. Is this normal or is this something i need to be seriously concerned about?

Answer 1

That was a scary incident,huh? I didn't think motor oil would ignite at the temperatures your hot motor was at the time.It seems that it would need a flame to do that.It wouldn't hurt to look at the oil container and make sure it's the right product.
By now the flammable residues should have burned off well enough and not be a problem but there will be an odor for a while. good luck

Answer 2

First off don't use flour next time, is very dangerous. Flour is from grain there fore will burn when a certain temperature is reached. Might work to shut open flames because it seals off oxygen but only temporarily, however once it reaches the hot surface it does not help it cool down becomes glued on and if it continues to heat up it will ignite again. You need to figure out how to clean it up because it could be by now glued on to your engine, eventually will burn off but if it ignites near the gasoline supply line you could be in allot of trouble. Get your self an extinguisher and keep it in your vehicle for cases like this next time. GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

Perhaps more flour residues are still on the exhaust manifold and burning, this manifold could get hot to over 1200 degrees. Let your engine cool over night,then spray w/engine cleaner/degreaser. Hose it down with water and air dry.( make sure alternator,ignition system dont get wet).

Answer 4

The oil sounds like it was spilled on the exhaust manifold, this is constructed from cast iron and as such is porous. The result is that the oil has soaked into the exhaust manifold. Don't worry about it after a few mile the smell and the smoke will have gone.

Answer 5

buy a can of engine degreaser and spray the area where you spilled the stuff. wait 2 minutes and then spray it off with the hose.

Answer 6

Own a fire extinguisher or buy one! there only about $21.00 dollars at Wal-mart... to get rid of that burnt flour smell clean with something lemony(water mixed with vinegar and lemon consentrate will burn of nicer smell...

Answer 7

make sure its not hot when spraying water on the engine it might crack the engine block.

Answer 8

Did your intake or exhaust catch fire?Salt would have been safer.