09-14-2020, 11:29 PM | #1 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 72
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Driving in Forest Fire Smoke
Hi everyone, I am up in Portland, Oregon and the forest fire smoke is unbearable to breath. It's considered hazardous. I have not driven my Camaro for 3 days but did take it for a quick trip today across the street to get groceries. Engine ran for about 10 minutes. I think some of these smoke particles are so small they will make it past the air filter and into the engine. Does anyone feel this would be harmful to an engine? I know they are harmful to me so I wear a N95 mask.
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09-15-2020, 07:25 AM | #2 |
Started#gottalovethatblue
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A N95 mask won't protect you from the harmful gasses associated with the smoke like CO or really most of the particles unless you're clean shaved and it's a mask that seals to your face. That's said, your car should be fine, especially if you're not driving it a whole lot or leaving it idle for hours on end.
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09-15-2020, 08:40 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 802
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For me living in Seattle you are down in Portland. Rather than up. We have the smoke so thick like the fog. I had not thought about the impact it has on the car but my eyes and lungs can tell and there is not way to avoid it. Be it inside or outside.
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09-15-2020, 09:01 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: somewhere in MD
Posts: 4,884
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Car can be replaced, but I highly doubt you want to replace your lungs so I wouldn’t really worry about the car so much. Get a better mask if you want to have an easier time breathing
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2010 2SS/RS
Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53 |
09-15-2020, 12:44 PM | #5 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 72
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Thanks for all your responses. I was fortunate enough to stay indoors for 3 days. When you walk outside its like having you head 10 feet above a burning barrel. Nasty stuff. The burnt popcorn seed smell also clings to you clothes much like cigarette smoke does. Conditions are supposed to improve slightly today....and even more the following day.
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09-15-2020, 12:46 PM | #6 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 72
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Hang in there Lee, conditions will improve the next few days. I will never take fresh air for granted again.
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09-15-2020, 02:40 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 227
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Definitely wash and dry the car completely if ash is settling down on the paint, it's acidic when water is present, including morning dew.
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Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter
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09-15-2020, 03:14 PM | #8 |
Fast Cars and Old Guitars
Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: N. CA
Posts: 3,949
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I never thought much about the car either. In CA it’s seems like it’s been smoky a month. I don’t drive it everyday though. I can tell you this, here in the Republik, there were like three levels of ash. There was the very fine talc-like covering and medium to large ash flakes. I suspect the filter caught the flakes but some fine talc might have made it through. Had I driven more I might consigned changing oil. But I just did prior to the fires. Dammit.
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“I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx
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09-15-2020, 03:35 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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09-15-2020, 11:43 PM | #10 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 72
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Thanks Quicksilver, I plan to give her a bath as soon as the air clears out. it may be a few more days. Fortunately it has a fresh coat of wax on but still....have to get this junk off.
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09-15-2020, 11:45 PM | #11 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 72
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I am hoping the engine will just digest the fine particles that make it past the air filter.
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09-15-2020, 11:49 PM | #12 | |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 72
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Quote:
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09-16-2020, 09:46 AM | #13 |
Good point, I need to wash my cars this weekend. I'm in northern LA and my cars are getting a light coating of ash.
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2010 2SS living in Los Angeles
replaced engine @ 93,000 miles w/ crate engine, camshaft by Comp Cams installed by me, replaced valve train parts, 1.4" BMR lowering springs ZL1 factory rims misc: drilled and slotted rotors, fresh air brake cooling system, new speakers, installed reverse camera, muffler delete |
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09-16-2020, 09:56 AM | #14 |
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Volcanic ash is microscopic jagged rocks. Definitely not good for an engine. The media seems to give a remedy to fit everyone, but pretty sure just about everything can get through pantyhose.
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