1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse: Case Study

Fuels Available

 

The front of the vehicle is left in this photograph of the underside. The oil pan is torn away exposing the crank shaft. The exhaust pipe (bottom of photograph) is scratched, heat shields deformed, and steel braiding torn (lower right) exposing the corrugated/convoluted portion of the exhaust pipe.
 
  • Undercarriage damage breached oil pan and spilled onto ground and exhaust system
  • Oil was the only source of fuel

The oil pan was breached from impact with a culvert. While most of the engine oil fell to the ground, some splattered onto the exhaust system. Coolant and clutch fluid spilled after rollover. Since the vehicle came to rest on its roof, these spills would have fallen to the ground, remote from any evidence of fire damage.