Goodbye EA

Mike Gayner · 11-09-2005, 05:52 PM

Was watching TV this evening, nothing out of the ordinary, when I got a friendly knock on the door from a helpful chap to tell me my car is on fire. Surely enough this guy wasn't just messing with me. I went out to the driveway to find the engine bay of my EA was in flames. How did it start? Buggered if I know. Looks like it's written off, will post pictures soon.

Oh yeah, I am insured, so I'm not too worried about that. Just a little ****ed off.

LUXO_8 · 11-09-2005, 05:53 PM

geez mate thats no good....had you been driving it just before or what?

nat_daly · 11-09-2005, 05:55 PM

dude...

:
i bet sum ******** lit it up or something..
thats so strange tho.. its not everyday that happens..

Mike Gayner · 11-09-2005, 05:59 PM

I had just been driving it, but only for about 5 mins. I don't know what the hell happened. I'm just a bit gutted because in the last 2 months it has had a recon head, new alternator, new tyres, new water pump, new rego and new warrant of fitness, so I'm losing a fair bit here. Will wait and see what happens when I make a claim.

Mike Gayner · 11-09-2005, 06:03 PM

Here's the pictures....

megsy · 11-09-2005, 06:07 PM

got any idea where it started? battery, wiring ect?

Mike Gayner · 11-09-2005, 06:14 PM

It's hard to say, I'll have a good look tomorrow but the fire crew said it will be impossible to tell because the bonnet was shut for so long the heat spread throughout everything.

I don't know if it means anything, but I just put a second hand alternator in this morning and it was working fine, but when I drove to the shops about 10 mins before the fire it was over volting, as if the regulator was no good. I parked the car up with the intention of looking at it tomorrow. Maybe a short inside the regulator? Don't know how that could have started such a big fire though. I know there is power steering fluid leaking somewhere. I had a quick look today but couldn't find a source. Maybe the p/s pipes that go over the exhaust are damaged and leaked ATF onto the hot exhaust? I could sit here coming up with theories all day really.

EL_futuraistic · 11-09-2005, 07:15 PM

Geez, thats genuinely poor luck. I hope you get a decent amount from your insurance, although its not much consolation. Was the rest of the car damaged?

pandaman · 13-09-2005, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gayner

Maybe the p/s pipes that go over the exhaust are damaged and leaked ATF onto the hot exhaust? I could sit here coming up with theories all day really.

A woman I used to work with had this happen on her EA, so you might be on to something there.

Shonky · 11-09-2005, 07:41 PM

Did you extinguish it yourself or leave it to the firies?

Regardless, that sucks mate

Mike Gayner · 11-09-2005, 08:15 PM

Tried to put it out myself, but it was hopeless with just a garden hose. Had to wait for the fire service. I'm doing the sums and the way I see it I'll be lucky if the insurance pays out enough to pay the cars loan off after I've paid excess, let alone give me enough money to get a new car. Don't know what the hell I'm going to do, I'll have to wait and see what the insurance company has to say about it.

LTDHO · 11-09-2005, 08:25 PM

Sorry to see/hear...

Could be one of two most of the time.
Petrol leak onto exhaust (bit hard for cross flow)
Or electrical. Was everything except starter fused?

Walkinshaw · 11-09-2005, 08:24 PM

Garden Hose + Electrical fire...............

(the fire is terrible mate, hope everything gets sorted out)

DanXR6T · 11-09-2005, 08:24 PM

My advice, don't mention anything of this thread to anyone regarding insurance, etc or any recent work you have done on it.

"There was no leaks and everything was working fine"

"I did not replace the alternator and it was definately not over charging"

Read, this thread will self destruct in 30 secs...

LUXO_8 · 11-09-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axeman82

My advice, don't mention anything of this thread to anyone regarding insurance, etc or any recent work you have done on it.

"There was no leaks and everything was working fine"

"I did not replace the alternator and it was definately not over charging"

Read, this thread will self destruct in 30 secs...

good point, you dont want this to bite you in the bum....

M14A-Mclaren · 11-09-2005, 09:07 PM

Did the fire service say it was an electrical fire?

loxxr6 · 11-09-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Was watching TV this evening, nothing out of the ordinary, when I got a friendly knock on the door from a helpful chap to tell me my car is on fire. Surely enough this guy wasn't just messing with me. I went out to the driveway to find the engine bay of my EA was in flames. How did it start? Buggered if I know. Looks like it's written off, will post pictures soon.

I had the same thing happen with an XD. Just caught on fire in a K-mart carpark. Something to do with a solid fuel line ?? (metal pipe instead of the rubber or whatever pipe is used now).

Mike Gayner · 12-09-2005, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M14A-Mclaren

Did the fire service say it was an electrical fire?

They said it was impossible to tell. I went out this morning and checked all of my work from yesterday and there were no shorts caused by anything I did. The big main yellow cable is still bolted to the back of the alternator (although it's not so yellow now) and those P/S lines I was talking about actually run under the exhaust and there's no way it could have leaked onto the exhaust. I'm at a total loss as to what caused it but at this point I don't really care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by loxxr6

I had the same thing happen with an XD. Just caught on fire in a K-mart carpark. Something to do with a solid fuel line ?? (metal pipe instead of the rubber or whatever pipe is used now).

Well it is somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only person on earth to fall victim to spontaneous automotive combustion.

Sourbastard · 12-09-2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gayner

I'm at a total loss as to what caused it

Cant rule out suicide at this point.

Psycho Chicken · 12-09-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gayner

Well it is somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only person on earth to fall victim to spontaneous automotive combustion.

Just visit a Lotus/Range Rover/Triumph forum, I'm sure you'll get lots of support/rants about headlights not working.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ

did the fire get into the cabin? I seen a ef wagon with a burnt up dash at a wrecker. Wanted to make me vomit

There's an NA like that at JRs. I saw it "WOW that's mad as hell tint!" Opened the door then the smell hit me....

XRated · 12-09-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

There's an NA like that at JRs. I saw it "WOW that's mad as hell tint!" Opened the door then the smell hit me....

LMFAO! Yeah I did exactly the same thing hahahaha!!

svo347 · 11-09-2005, 09:56 PM

Sorry to read mate but atleast yourself & family wasnt injured

BuuBox · 12-09-2005, 12:09 PM

Ouch, that's not good to hear :( Bit strange how it happened, wouldn't think that just overvolting would cause that. Good luck with the insurance and all that...

On a happier note, that EB Fairmont V8 is definatly a step in the right direction!

The MaDDeSTMaN · 12-09-2005, 12:31 PM

Ouch, particularly after you spending more money on it recently. Hope the insurance company sorts everything out quickly for you mate.

Sourbastard · 12-09-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Hope the insurance company sorts everything out quickly for you mate.

Theres opportunity here. If he syphons the petrol from his tank and sells it, when the insurance pays up, he will have doubled his money.

XRated · 12-09-2005, 12:43 PM

Geez mate, that's bad luck :( Gives me more motivation to purchase an extinguisher for my car.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 12-09-2005, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRated

Gives me more motivation to purchase an extinguisher for my car.

That's a very good idea for everyone I think. After all, much quicker then waiting for the fire fighters, and much more effective then a garden hose.

NZ · 12-09-2005, 12:58 PM

did the fire get into the cabin? I seen a ef wagon with a burnt up dash at a wrecker. Wanted to make me vomit

Valknutr · 12-09-2005, 08:05 PM

you said some guy walked up and said you car is on fire?? why didnt he run or yell or something, maybe he started it....

Mike Gayner · 12-09-2005, 08:38 PM

Maybe, I've never seen him before and he was gone as soon as I came out to the car....