Brake fluid fire risk
9th May 1991, Page 87
9th May 1991
Page 87
Page 87, 9th May 1991
— Brake fluid fire risk
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• The recent spate of motorway accidents has prompted BBC Television's Top Gear programme to highlight the fire risk associated with the 'latest generation' of brake fluids.
When presenter Chris Goffie poured petrol and an old formula brake fluid over the manifold of a running car, both vaporised harmlessly. However, when he put the new brake fluid on to the manifold it caught light immediately.
The programme went on to highlight the fact that many brake fluid reservoirs are only a push fit into the master cylinder housing. In a crash these can pull out of the housing, spilling brake fluid over the engine which then catches fire. Once there is a flame, petrol in the carburettor will be ignited setting the whole vehicle ablaze.