Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Working On Classic Cars - Basic Safety Tips

By Fraser Ainsworth


It can be said that no book or manual about do-it yourself auto repairs is fully complete without a section that concerns auto repair safety. Yet interestingly enough few budding or even experienced auto mechanics it seems pay serious attention to safety and basic safety procedures.

You would be more than amazed , as they say . More than one amateur mechanic has produced sparks or even open flames near leaky gas tanks or wet fuel lines. How downright dangerous a practice indeed. Included in such events are the use of electric power tools, grinding, welding as well as using propane torches to loosen rusted fasteners around these leaky or leaking fuel tanks and gas lines. Experienced and well trained mechanical and auto service department experts and licensed mechanics generally state to always fix the leak first and foremost. Then do the other repairs work or sets of task to complete the repair and fixing process fully. What could of been a simple and inexpensive job at a reputable auto repair shop or garage can potentially result in a cascade that has you has you out shopping for a new truck complete with monthly "car payments". Thus saving a few dollars on a do-it-yourself or backyard mechanic can well be a case of penny wise , pound foolish and both a not to wise and costly decision.

What are some safety precautions that backyard and do-it-yourself mechanics and budding service technicians should employ as a matter of standard procedure and course?

It is a simple rule and basic safety prevention rule and standard never to smoke cigarettes or tobacco products when working on the fuel system or battery charging system. Gasoline vapors from the fuel tank, fuel lines, carburetor or fuel injections are more than extremely flammable. Hydrogen gas inside the battery, as well as lingering about the battery case, is dangerously explosive. The hydrogen sulfide gas emitted by charging (as opposed to dead) auto batteries can be set off by any or even the smallest spark. Once set ablaze the hydrogen sulfide gas can serve to explode the battery with its dangerous caustic battery acid- which can splash not only on your mechanics set of clothes but also onto their face, eyes or skin. Thus make it a solid rule to refrain from smoking any time that you are working on a car or under the hood.

Lastly when doing any kind of electrical work such as replacing a starter, ignition switch, alternator, voltage regulator, radio etc, it is always a wise and safe idea and practice to disconnect the battery ground cable entirely. This will eliminate the possibility and possibilities of accidentally grounding the electrical circuit which could well start a fire or alternatively damaging some component in the now very delicate electrical and electronic systems of modern cars. The component of modern hybrid vehicles even come now in shielding electrostatic bags alone just to shield the sensitive electronic components of these hybrid gas / electric vehicles from the ravages of simple static electricity.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment