eb

In one scene, after fueling and popping the cap back on the Porsche, a guy pours what looks like warm water on the cap/hood. Can someone explain why?

Great movie...

Thanks,
Eric

CarreraCup03

I am guessing they are washing off any spilled gas so there is no fire.

TheOtherEric

Hmm, I don't think water is very good at preventing gas fires since gas floats. At least in Champ Car, they use methanol as fuel, and spray the car with a water jet after fueling. Methanol dissolves in water so this is effective. Dunno what fuel they used at Lemans when the movie was shot.

ca993twin

I think AA has the correct answer. If you watch the Indy Car pit stops, they also spray water on the fuel cap after fueling the cars. I don't think I've seen this done in F1, however.

eb

Funny but I didn't think it could be that simple. I figured it was to expand the cap to better vent fuel for a few minutes until it cooled back to running temp.

Thanks!
-Eric

TheOtherEric

That's because IRL uses methanol too.

ca993twin

Eric,

I thought about the methonal thing while I was typing my post, but I still think the same principle applies to gasoline, even though it is not water soluable... you can dilute it the gas and wash puddles of it off the car. Fire crews do it all the time when there is a gas spill. Its still my best guess.

TheOtherEric

Yeah, I agree with you Steve. I guess water is better than nothing for a gasoline fire (although probably not on an oil fire...).

dpressley

The fuel delivery system used in F1 is a pressurized one derived from helicopter refueling (so they said on a previous broadcast). Even when Button took off w/ the nozzle still attached, there was no fuel leak/spill when the hose ripped from it! Amazing. I've never even noticed any fuel spraying when the refueling nozzle is removed, either. Maybe I watch too much F1....?

Paulsha911

You guys got it all wrong. That guy is a priest and it was Holy Water.