Well, looks like the Rev and I now have something in common...

Yesterday afternoon, I was pulling out of Laramie, WY going East on I-80. Just fueled up with a very heavy load, setting me over 79,000 lbs. I started pulling the hill just east of Laramie when I smelled something burning. I thought it was someone else's truck, or at the worst, something electrical. A few seconds later, something let go, and there was a loud whistling noise coming from under the hood.

I pulled it over as soon as I could, and smoke was everywhere! Took me two attempts to get the hood open, as during the first one I got a good whiff of strong, toxic smoke, and had to step away for a minute to clear my lungs. I get the thing open, and the entire right side of the engine was ablaze. Ran over, got my fire extinguisher, and put the thing out. And again, and again, and again. The fire kept igniting itself after it was extinguished for another 5 minutes. Seems that the plastic air intake and other parts around my back turbo were what was burning.

After a 30 minute wait on hold, and a 30 minute wait for the wrecker, I was on my way to the KW dealer in Cheyenne...don't know the extent of the damages yet, but I hope I'm out of here soon!





And after all of this, here's my point: When I got this truck a few months ago, the fire extinguisher was completely dead. If I hadn't checked it and gotten it replaced, there's no telling how bad this could have been. Might have put itself out and done nothing more...also might have taken the truck, trailer, and load with it....:eek2:

 

If you think for one minute that I am gonna put out my truck if it catches fire from a mechanical failure, you're nuts......

 

Doubtful it would have put itself out until it had burnt the whole unit up. Too much stuff under the hood that can ignite once something starts burning.

 

why would I want it to go out?

 

I remember one time I had an electrical fire when I was a company driver. My boss actually yelled at me for putting it out.

 

Well, as it turns out, it likely had nothing to do with the electrical system. When I spoke with the dealer this morning they told me they think it had to do with some kind of plastic equipment for the HVAC system fell onto the hot turbo and ignited, causing everything in the area to go up.

Now I wait for another day or two while they order parts.......

 

Haha, no mike, that comment wasn't for you. I know you would probably toss as much crap that is flammable as possible onto it to keep it going. It was for Tom where he said it might have put itself out in his original post.

 

especially being in wyoming. i'd want to keep myself warm while i'm outside and waiting for the proper people to arrive. :thumbsup:

 

So is YOUR generator in that little side box?

 

Jeez....Am I the only one who gets asked to see the fire extinguisher during a DOT check??

I check my extinguisher every day(that I drive the truck).

Tom...have they done anything for the burnt plastic smell in the cab yet..or are you gonna have to live with that??