Whether you enjoy a casual ride down the highway on your motorcycle, want to get out on the mountains with a snowmobile, enjoy cutting through the waves on a watercraft, or have a competitive side with a dirt bike or ATV, ignition protection is something you should always consider when it comes to insurance on your vehicle and its engine. Many smaller engines or enclosed engine bays are potentially hazardous areas with the amount of gasoline vapors enclosed in the space. Ignition protection products are the peace of mind you need to ensure you avoid a potential explosion within your engine bay.
A Variety of Ignition Sources
Engines of all types produce a lot of heat, but heat alone cannot usually cause a fire hazard or explosion. The risk comes with sparking and improper ventilation within the engine compartment. This is a common risk to consider on a variety of vehicles including boats and ATV’s, but many owners overlook this area and then wonder what happened later when they are trying to extinguish a fire. Starters and alternators are the number one source for potential ignition, as are circuit breakers and distributors. While every vehicle will not share the same risks, these are just some of the areas to look out for within your own engine bay.
Knowing your Fuel Source
You have an ignition source, but it won’t cause any issues without a fuel source. This is normally gas fumes from a small leak in a hose, intake or even a minor spill when injecting fuel directly. If a hose or intake leak is to blame, there are numerous affordable fittings and joints you can purchase to replace the issue. This is the easiest way to prevent future fuel sources when around an ignition source such as the starter or distributer. Additionally, ventilation can play a key role in reducing a fire hazard. Smaller engine bays may not be easily vented, but with just a little DIY experience, products on the market can help create openings for a fresh air exchange reducing the build-up of ignition sources.
Don’t Forget to Use Common Sense
One of the easiest ways to prevent a fire is to take a few minutes to think of the risks. Wouldn’t you rather be a bit overprotected instead of under protected? A few extra dollars spent on ignition protection products now can help reduce the probability of you losing the entire vehicle later on.
