Dragster just explodes! Why?

[Flateric]

Can someone far smarter than myself please tell me what the hell could cause this to happen?

[video=youtube;u_cc8J0k3xY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_cc8J0k3xY[/video]

[video=youtube;z0aROJz2VGE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=z0aROJz2VGE[/video]

 

[toyotanos]

If I remember correctly, it was a valve issue- either broken/cracked/burned and the flame was able to get back into the manifold where the air/fuel charge was.

Alternatively, I've heard of nitro engines torching themselves when a pool of fuel is allowed to collect in the intake- but I think that's mostly combustion chamber damage.

 

[Poodles]

Nitro brings it's own oxygen to the fun, meaning they use a LOT more fuel. At full throttle, if combustion doesn't take place, they'll hydrolock.

Also notice the difference in safety equipment in the 2 videos. Second video shows the now standard straps that stop the supercharger from becoming a lethal flying object (they also do this to the heads as well). First video is missing them...

 

[suprasom]

Knowing what those engines are capable of i would at least wear safety glasses when working on them like that. I hope the old man in the first video is okey

 

[GrimJack]

Some fuels also contaminate the oil enough to make it combustible in a very short period of time. Explosive oil makes for an extremely short engine life.