My Cerbie caught fire today
Discussion
Driving down from Yorkshire on the A1 came to the A47 turning and lost all power.
Changing down the gears before coming to a sudden halt, and a bang. I suddenly saw flames coming out of the bonnet.
My door wasn't coming open, saw that the girlfriend had already opened her door, so I picked up my stepson and threw him out the door, closely followed by me and other half.
All safe, but the car is a burning wreck.
The car is still under warranty and was full comp insured, so hopefully I should be able to get a new car, but could take some time.
Gave me a nasty scare, although it has to be said that I was too busy panicking to be scared.
Trafpol were excellent, as was the fire brigade. One very gutted ex-TVR Cerbera owner.
PS I seem to remember someone else had a fire, is it a case of TADTS????
Changing down the gears before coming to a sudden halt, and a bang. I suddenly saw flames coming out of the bonnet.
My door wasn't coming open, saw that the girlfriend had already opened her door, so I picked up my stepson and threw him out the door, closely followed by me and other half.
All safe, but the car is a burning wreck.
The car is still under warranty and was full comp insured, so hopefully I should be able to get a new car, but could take some time.
Gave me a nasty scare, although it has to be said that I was too busy panicking to be scared.
Trafpol were excellent, as was the fire brigade. One very gutted ex-TVR Cerbera owner.
PS I seem to remember someone else had a fire, is it a case of TADTS????
Are particular models susceptible to this - I had a 4.2 V8 1998.
I really love the Cerb, but it's not an experience I would like to repeat.
The guages didn't show anything prior to the fire.
We are still very shocked. Worse thing was I got out in such a hurry that my wallet was left in the car and my keys!!! Could be a difficult week.
I really love the Cerb, but it's not an experience I would like to repeat.
The guages didn't show anything prior to the fire.
We are still very shocked. Worse thing was I got out in such a hurry that my wallet was left in the car and my keys!!! Could be a difficult week.
robscim said:
Sorry to hear your news. Glad you got out fine though.
Any car fire you can stand aside and watch is better than the other sort.
I hope it doesn't put you off another cerb.
Cheers
Rob
Any car fire you can stand aside and watch is better than the other sort.
I hope it doesn't put you off another cerb.
Cheers
Rob
I love the Cerbera fantastic car, but I certainly got a nasty shock today. Don't want to put my family at risk. Mixed feelings.
I even bought from a dealer to avoid nightmares, and checked the car over before I left Harrogate. Just can't believe it has happenned.
PS I recommend getting a fire extinguisher just in case and making certain you know how to get out of the car in a hurry, being unable to open my door whilst in a fire was a tad scary.
Edited by smithsi on Sunday 12th November 22:22
Bad luck mate.
Main thing is everyone is ok. A car can be replaced a life can't.
All of the cerb's i have heard about going up in flames were 4.2's, but i think that the different engines are pretty irrelevant.
Don't be put off by having another cerb mate, you was unlucky with the one you had, and so were the other peoples that went bang.
Good luck!
Dan
Main thing is everyone is ok. A car can be replaced a life can't.
All of the cerb's i have heard about going up in flames were 4.2's, but i think that the different engines are pretty irrelevant.
Don't be put off by having another cerb mate, you was unlucky with the one you had, and so were the other peoples that went bang.
Good luck!
Dan
feel sorry for you m8 must have been terrible (i'm not moaning at you SMITHSI i'm gutted for you m8)
but lets not slag TVRS more than they get already the volvo s80 and BMW 6 series have been blowing up /catching fire aswell just because a car comes from a dealer does'nt mean it a well maintained safe example sorry to be grumpy but it annoys me
when people say they have only known 4.2s catch fire LOTUS ESPRITS do aswell but it one of those things
but lets not slag TVRS more than they get already the volvo s80 and BMW 6 series have been blowing up /catching fire aswell just because a car comes from a dealer does'nt mean it a well maintained safe example sorry to be grumpy but it annoys me
when people say they have only known 4.2s catch fire LOTUS ESPRITS do aswell but it one of those things
absolutely gutted for you... It'll probably be the fuel pipe thats split... ours did, Dad smelt petrol as he walked up to the car, but the idiot still drove it to work and then called me later in the day to help him fix it. 
This really is something that should be replaced on these cars pretty often, its a pig of a job to do apparently, but surely worth it for the piece of mind? (ours has just been fully replaced! - when we do a body off rebuild of the car we will work out better protection for it to stop it perishing/ getting worn down)
I hope you manage to find yourself back in a Cerb soon, but can understand why you would be reluctant to go back...
I'd be interested to know what happens with the car/ how bad the damage was... we're after another chassis to help speed up our body off rebuild if its not too bad? Please keep us updated.
Most importantly of all though, I hope everyone in the car is ok and not too traumatised by the event, must be a pretty scary experience.
cossiemetro said:
feel sorry for you m8 must have been terrible (i'm not moaning at you SMITHSI i'm gutted for you m8)
but lets not slag TVRS more than they get already the volvo s80 and BMW 6 series have been blowing up /catching fire aswell just because a car comes from a dealer does'nt mean it a well maintained safe example sorry to be grumpy but it annoys me
when people say they have only known 4.2s catch fire LOTUS ESPRITS do aswell but it one of those things
but lets not slag TVRS more than they get already the volvo s80 and BMW 6 series have been blowing up /catching fire aswell just because a car comes from a dealer does'nt mean it a well maintained safe example sorry to be grumpy but it annoys me
when people say they have only known 4.2s catch fire LOTUS ESPRITS do aswell but it one of those things
That`s right. Think there`s a burnt out 4.5 elsewhere on this page....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=325946&f=48&h=0
Not just a TVR thing... infact, ferraris are FAR more likely to do this too.
Not just a TVR thing... infact, ferraris are FAR more likely to do this too.
After a good nights sleep, feeling a little better.
Will probably get another Cerb but will certainly buy a fire extinguisher or one of those integrated fire extinguishing systems - just in case.
The car was absolutely gutted - as am I, the only thing that was servicable was probably the rear tires. I doubt very much can be serviced from the car - complete write off.
Was going to go for my red handle by the door, but as soon as I saw that the girlfriend had her side open then I decided to go out that way. The priority turned to make sure my 6 year old stepson was out of the car.
cossiemetro - I'm no troll, but after having been in a fire you can expect me to be a little wary for my family. Lets keep a sense of perspective.
Will probably get another Cerb but will certainly buy a fire extinguisher or one of those integrated fire extinguishing systems - just in case.
The car was absolutely gutted - as am I, the only thing that was servicable was probably the rear tires. I doubt very much can be serviced from the car - complete write off.
gazzab said:
Reminder to all - PULL THE RED HANDLES BY YOUR ANKLES TO GET OUT QUICK !
Was going to go for my red handle by the door, but as soon as I saw that the girlfriend had her side open then I decided to go out that way. The priority turned to make sure my 6 year old stepson was out of the car.
cossiemetro said:
feel sorry for you m8 must have been terrible (i'm not moaning at you SMITHSI i'm gutted for you m8)
but lets not slag TVRS more than they get already the volvo s80 and BMW 6 series have been blowing up /catching fire aswell just because a car comes from a dealer does'nt mean it a well maintained safe example sorry to be grumpy but it annoys me
when people say they have only known 4.2s catch fire LOTUS ESPRITS do aswell but it one of those things
but lets not slag TVRS more than they get already the volvo s80 and BMW 6 series have been blowing up /catching fire aswell just because a car comes from a dealer does'nt mean it a well maintained safe example sorry to be grumpy but it annoys me
when people say they have only known 4.2s catch fire LOTUS ESPRITS do aswell but it one of those things
cossiemetro - I'm no troll, but after having been in a fire you can expect me to be a little wary for my family. Lets keep a sense of perspective.
Edited by smithsi on Monday 13th November 07:22
Sounds like a scary experience. Good to hear everyone is safe and sound.
Get your insurance sorted out and then get scouring the adverts......nothing more exciting than car hunting and there are plenty of Cerbs available at the moment.
Jules.
Get your insurance sorted out and then get scouring the adverts......nothing more exciting than car hunting and there are plenty of Cerbs available at the moment.
Jules.
Edited by Cyclone1 on Monday 13th November 08:16
Glad that every one is OK.
On a serious note , after reading about the flamers recently, invested in a fire extinguisher about three weeks ago. Car was in for a 12k service last week and the fuel pipe from the pump to the filter needed replacing . My car is a 97 4.2. With the age of the cars now , maybe it is advisable that we alll start checking pipes.
On a serious note , after reading about the flamers recently, invested in a fire extinguisher about three weeks ago. Car was in for a 12k service last week and the fuel pipe from the pump to the filter needed replacing . My car is a 97 4.2. With the age of the cars now , maybe it is advisable that we alll start checking pipes.
NHyde said:
Glad that every one is OK.
On a serious note , after reading about the flamers recently, invested in a fire extinguisher about three weeks ago. Car was in for a 12k service last week and the fuel pipe from the pump to the filter needed replacing . My car is a 97 4.2. With the age of the cars now , maybe it is advisable that we alll start checking pipes.
On a serious note , after reading about the flamers recently, invested in a fire extinguisher about three weeks ago. Car was in for a 12k service last week and the fuel pipe from the pump to the filter needed replacing . My car is a 97 4.2. With the age of the cars now , maybe it is advisable that we alll start checking pipes.
Sounds like a damn good idea. Perhaps an in car automatic system such as they have in race cars might be a good idea. My fire took hold so quickly that it would have been impossible to open the bonnet to fight the fire without suffering burns myself with a conventional fire extinguisher.
Bad news and one I can (almost) empathise with - I had a 1600M go up in flames on the M40 some 44 miles after collecting from the dealer! I say I can almost empathise as it wasn't a Cerbera I lost, but having just picked up a 4.5 on Saturday I can only imagine how gutted you must feel.
Glad you all got out OK - it shakes you up a bit doesn't it!
Glad you all got out OK - it shakes you up a bit doesn't it!
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