Discussion
Don't know which is more gutted, my engine bay or me. Took the cerb out for a drive, got about 2 miles when the stereo started crackling and switching itself on and off. Then the MIL light started flashing and beeping and the car spluttered to a stop. Pulled over to see smoke coming from the battery area. Opened the bonnet and a small fire had started between the expansion tank and the airbox (where the fat battery cables run). If I'd had an extinguisher I could've put it out but had little choice but to watch it turn into a larger fire. Fire brigade arrived and hosed it and removed what was left of the battery. Fortunately no fuel was involved and the damage looks nasty but hopefully mostly superficial. The interior stinks but seems otherwise ok.
The nearside wing is badly damaged (freshly sprayed, too). The windscreen is toast. Can't imagine the wiper motor survived. Airbox is mostly gone, purple hoses fried, expansion tank is a blob. I don't think the engine has been affected.
Will call the insurance company in the morning. Don't think they'll write it off. Will have to call the paintshop to see if they have any paint left. Bummer. :-(
The nearside wing is badly damaged (freshly sprayed, too). The windscreen is toast. Can't imagine the wiper motor survived. Airbox is mostly gone, purple hoses fried, expansion tank is a blob. I don't think the engine has been affected.
Will call the insurance company in the morning. Don't think they'll write it off. Will have to call the paintshop to see if they have any paint left. Bummer. :-(
so sorry to hear that, glad you're ok though.rev-erend said:
Sorry to hear that - hope the repair goes well.
Guess you will be investing in a fire extinguisher like the rest of us now..
Yes an extinguisher would have been handy to say the least. Unf there were no houses around either. Will def carry one from now on (assuming the car is fixable). Nobody hurt, that's the main thing. Could've been a lot worse..Guess you will be investing in a fire extinguisher like the rest of us now..
southendpier said:
Nightmare, unlucky Rog,
You say you had the wing sprayed recently, did the people who carried out the work properly put the cables back, tied up to the engine cover?
Have been wondering the same. Drove it back from the paintshop ok, but that was only a few miles. But they did have to jump start it, and they had problems with the hazard lights which they couldn't turn off (I showed them the button). Hard to say if they're related. I think it's probably coincidence, doubt we'll ever know.You say you had the wing sprayed recently, did the people who carried out the work properly put the cables back, tied up to the engine cover?
Highly doubt it'll be fixed up in time for Fighting Torque, so longbow if you're reading, please note.
with that in mind!"im off to Halfrauds in the morning".
Extra 300 Driver said:
Glad you are OK, sounds like the main battery cable touched the manifold and went up in smoke!
It does, doesn't it. Now that I think about it, when we put the engine cover back on, the paintshop guy handled the battery side. I wonder if he could have put the cover on top of the cables and pushed them down towards the exh manifold. There is (was) a bit of a knack to it. Seems like a likely explanation to me.Always terrible to hear things like this. I'm gutted for you FYP, but glad to hear you might still salvage things.
Steve.
P.S. To anyone who wants one and is reasonably near by me, I bought 2kg extinguisher from Costco for £20 (Halfords are £45). If you want me to get you one on my next visit let me know. It saved the Tamora that made a flaming entrance to the Surrey TVRCC meet, so it's worth carrying one as it might not just be your own car that's saved.
Steve.
P.S. To anyone who wants one and is reasonably near by me, I bought 2kg extinguisher from Costco for £20 (Halfords are £45). If you want me to get you one on my next visit let me know. It saved the Tamora that made a flaming entrance to the Surrey TVRCC meet, so it's worth carrying one as it might not just be your own car that's saved.
I was never sure where best to store the extinguisher. Under drivers seat is best I think but that might mean the seat wont slide back n forth so far, plus it means drilling holes in the floor....?
I was going to make up an alloy plate that could be put pushed under the front lip of the rear near side passnger seat and then wedged against the floor. I think that would hold and wouldnt require any drilling and is easy enough to grab.
I was going to make up an alloy plate that could be put pushed under the front lip of the rear near side passnger seat and then wedged against the floor. I think that would hold and wouldnt require any drilling and is easy enough to grab.
At the moment mine's stuffed/wedged in the passanger side rear footwell. It was in the boot until someone reminded me that if it was an electrical fire, the boot release probably wouldnt work.
I know it should really be tied down for fear of flying around the cabin, but if Ive had that big a shunt, then the outside chance of it hitting me upside the lugole would be the least of my worries?
I know it should really be tied down for fear of flying around the cabin, but if Ive had that big a shunt, then the outside chance of it hitting me upside the lugole would be the least of my worries?
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