Not a good day - My Griff catches fire

[longshot]

At least you've got another one to keep you amused until it is fixed.
Shame though, it looks immaculate.

[ph1l5]

Terrible news. But the main thing is that you are alright. I hope you get her back better than new soon.

[jamieduff1981]

Really sorry to read this

[V8 GRF]

Gutted for you.

That looks like a fuel hose fire to me, especially as you couldn't put it out which suggests a fine spray under pressure.

[Daggsy]

So so sorry to read of your bad news. Hope that the car can be brought back for you.

Had a car fire myself many years back (non TVR) total right off but at least you are OK.

[TVR OWL]

Thanks to everyone for all your kind thoughts.

On longer runs I transfer my fire extinguisher, jump leads, coolant, tyre pump, tools etc to the car I'm about to use. However on this occasion the car had been stood on the drive unused for a few weeks and I decided to just go for a quick run. I was only going to the next village (4 miles away) and back so didn't bother moving things across from the Cerbera boot.
Having said that I don't know whether I could have put the fire out if I had my extinguisher with me as it was hard to get down to where the fire had taken hold.

Been in touch with the insurers today and RT Racing are picking the car up tomorrow from the garage who recovered it. So should have news from Richard Thorpe on the extent of the damage soon. I'll post back once I know more.

Thanks,
Graham

[nawarne]

Gutted for you.

Hope all goes well with insurers.
Nick

[WinstonWolf]

TVR OWL said:

As I got a burning smell just prior to the clutch pedal giving way I assume the fire started as a result of the clutch failure and that the fire spread from there. Or maybe was it started from a wiriing failure. Dont know.
Best if you all make sure you carry a fire extinguisher in the boot. . . just in case

Edited by TVR OWL on Sunday 30th November 21:42

It was almost certainly started by the fuel lines between the bulkhead and the engine perishing

A common failure, if anyone hasn't had theirs done recently it should be on the cards over winter.

Horrible to see

[williamp]

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/20-000-SPORTS-CAR-...

At least you know the cars value...

Such a shame

[Byker28i]

Just take a look in the Garage at the Cerbera and see if it's smiling...
"Take the griff will you..."

[Quinny]

V8 GRF said:

Gutted for you.

That looks like a fuel hose fire to me, especially as you couldn't put it out which suggests a fine spray under pressure.

Very sad..

I'd suggest hydraulic fluid from the clutch failure..... Hydraulic fluid is extremely flammable.

[LordGrover]

Bad luck OP. Hopefully it's not as bad as it could've been.
Keep us posted.

[WinstonWolf]

Quinny said:

V8 GRF said:

Gutted for you.

That looks like a fuel hose fire to me, especially as you couldn't put it out which suggests a fine spray under pressure.

Very sad..

I'd suggest hydraulic fluid from the clutch failure..... Hydraulic fluid is extremely flammable.

It is, but look at the seat of the fire. Right by the fuel lines where they emerge from the bulkhead.

[LordGrover]

That was my first thought, but the tunnel from the gearbox/clutch comes out directly beneath there too. I guess they'll advise when the garage/insurers assess the damage.

[SergSC]

Glad no harm done to humans.
I carry my extinguisher behind the passenger seat in my Tam... but may get another seeing as one may not be enough. I suppose slightly less risk of uncontrollable fuel leak fire in an S6 because the fuel rail in the opposite side to exhaust? knock on wood...

[IVANHOE]

Sorry to see/hear that Graham that's such a shame mate. At least no one was hurt, that's the main thing. Hope you can get it sorted. Trev

[EGB]

rigga said:

As others have stated, that's gutting and hopefully the damage can be repaired, cars can be fixed, you can't.
On a side note regarding the fire extinguisher, yes a good idea to carry one, especially in a fiberglass car which can burn rather rapid, but I wouldn't keep it in the boot as a fire may disable the switch to open the boot to retrieve the extinguisher, I have mine mounted securely behind the driver's seat so can grab it quickly.

Definitely the best place.

[Yellabelly]

Great shame hope RT can work their magic.

[Tyre Tread]

Sorry to hear of the incident and hope the car is repairable.

Interesting that the first reader comment on the Derby Telegragh article starts by mentioning unreliability

[V41LEY]

Not exactly the best Xmas present you could have asked for !
Hope it goes well with the insurers and you get the true value for a replacement.
If it was burning for 15 mins I'd doubt it's repairable - total loss more like.
Happy hunting.