Can Motor Oil Catch Fire?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Can Motor Oil Catch Fire?
I'm asking since my valve covers just started leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. I will be replacing the gaskets in the Spring but I don't want to run the risk of a fire while running the engine until I get to the repair. Thanks for any help.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Lubricating oil, such as motor oil, is not volatile but it is combustible.
It must be heated to over 400 F in order to burn. Thus, for lubricating oil to catch fire, some other intense source of heat must be present such as other materials on fire, engine manifolds, an over-heating bearing and the like.
It must be heated to over 400 F in order to burn. Thus, for lubricating oil to catch fire, some other intense source of heat must be present such as other materials on fire, engine manifolds, an over-heating bearing and the like.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
Yes, it can burn if it gets on the exhaust.
Here is a link to a temp chart for flash point. Actual sustained burn point is slightly higher but flash point is when you will get an ignition.
It indicates that Mobil 1 5w30 is at 445 degrees.
http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html
Most exhaust manifolds run in excess of 1000 degrees.
If it is a bad leak - fix it now.
Here is a link to a temp chart for flash point. Actual sustained burn point is slightly higher but flash point is when you will get an ignition.
It indicates that Mobil 1 5w30 is at 445 degrees.
http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html
Most exhaust manifolds run in excess of 1000 degrees.
If it is a bad leak - fix it now.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Yes it can burn, but it takes a lot of heat. I mean a lot of heat, just from experience my old 89 Jeep Cherokee has about 270,000 miles on it (I only use it as a winter beater/mud bogger in the summer) and blows oil out every where, I haven't caught it on fire... yet. If your ride is leaking as bad as my Jeep I don't recommend you try to find the flash point.
Will
Will
