Just wanted to let you guys know what happened...

[Kostamojen]

Hey all, my car is gone... Totally gone Im going to post this here and not on NASIOC or I-Club because of insurance concerns, but I feel I need to post this somewhere... Please dont link it in the other clubs, thanks.

Anyway, the car burned to a crisp. Its totaled for sure, but I have yet to be contacted by my Insurance Claims Adjuster for the claim. I hope I get something back from it, anything at all...

I just finished my engine install on tuesday, took the car on two test drives that night. One just around the block to make sure it ran and everything was fine, didnt even get up to 25mph, and the next was a longer way around the block and got up to 45mph. I had a funky flap flap flap noise at that point, I was pretty sure it was the EGR crossover pipe, and it was, so wednesday I went down to the recycler and got the proper one along with a couple other things while I was there. That night I installed the EGR pipe, tested it, it sounded much better so I took it for a drive.

I was just going around the block, but the car was running so unbelievably well and I was stuck in traffic on Kirby so I decided to go up rocky ridge some to see how it was running. I finally got away from traffic at rocky-ridge/eureka and ran the car through the gears in the 50mph zone. OMG, I was so amazed at the car, it was just what I wanted it to be like... Torque all over, the tach needle swinging up so nice and fast... I was actually smiling I was so happy.

I get to the corner of rocky ridge/roseville parkway and stop at the light to wait. Only one other car was in the vacinity, and was going across the intersection so I went since I was clear to go... Thats when it happened, as soon as I started accelerating I hear a loud POP followed by FLAMES exploding out of my hoodscoop and passanger side vent! :shock: :shock: :shock:
I immediatly pulled the car over (more like automatically), got the keys out and was out the door with my belt off faster than I could even think... My first instinct was "Put out the fire!" but I looked and realized it was pointless. So I went over to the sidewalk with my phone already in my hand dialing 911...
Meanwhile, I had to sit and watch my car burn to the ground while I waited only a couple minutes for the roseville fire department to arrive (they have a firestation like less than a mile from where I was, on roseville parkway).

Im still in shock it actually happened, it was one of those experiences where you dont believe its actually happening when its happening, and I still have to walk myself out to the garage to lookat my melted grill to remind me its actually gone...

As for the cause, I have no idea. When I looked at the wreckage, the engine was intact. The fire department said it was a fuel fire so it was probably one of the fuel lines... which one, I dont know.

The part that hurts me the most is I just spent all that effort and put everything I had into that car, and more specifically into the swap only to have it all go horribly wrong right when I was celebrating how amazingly well it went I worried constantly about the car not starting, or the engine timing going bad during the swap, or just not getting it to run at all. It was seriously running better than the 1.8 was, even at idle. With all the swaps ive read about, never once has one gone down in flames, that never even crossed my mind... To see it actually happen before my eyes, I still cant get over it...

I dont even need to mention the costs invovled, all that money being put into it just totally gone, and I dont even know if ill be able to recover anything in terms of parts costs... I dont even know how much ill get back for the cars value, but it wont be much, not enough for me to replace it with much of anything...

Well, im glad im still here to talk about it at least. But for me, I guess it was bound to happen as nothing ever ends up working out...

[sybir]

I'm sorry, man. I can't imagine losing a car that way. Like I said before, let us know if you need anything, eh?

Important thing, though it's still hard, is that you're fine, a car can be replaced easily, while 3rd-degree burns suck.........

[Mr. Xevious]

sorry steve.. words cannot describe

[sonicsuby]

I'm really sorry, Steve. That's horrible.

[Nick Koan]

Steve man, that sucks

The good news is, it can eventually be replaced (or bettered).

[sp00ln]

Im sorry man

[MattR]

Steve, sorry to hear man...I know that swap was a big challenge, and initally went successfully...Hope everything is resolved easily....

[JC]

It sucks man. At least you are ok, and you still have the old wagon. So what are you gonna replace it with?

[tysonK]

That really pained me to read it.

I'm so sorry man.

[Libila]

Wow, I'm really sorry bud. Of course having you safe is the most important thing, but it does hurt to think about all the time and money you put into the project. I hope things work themselves out. Best of luck to you.

[ArthurS]

Wow that sucks. Glad you didn't get hurt though.

[dknv]

So sorry to hear, Steve. I remember how badly I felt when my Mustang Cobra engine caught fire. It takes time to get over it. I guess what could've been worse, is if the flames came out the driver's side vent.
Let us know if there is anything you need help with. Good luck with the insurance company.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Really sorry to hear about that; like others said, at least you came out of it okay. There's always another car waiting to be built... but you can't really replace a toasted arm or leg.

[MikeSTI]

a moment of silence

[sperry]

Man Steve... that really sucks. I can't believe it either... you never hear of a car just up and burning to the ground! :shock: I was really looking forwards to seeing that thing bombing around Reno-Fernley and Thunderhill... hopefully the fire didn't total everything in the motor. Perhaps it can come out and go into another L, or even the wagon?

Good luck man...

[MikeK]

That sucks man, at least you were able to get out without being hurt.

[ScottyS]

Wow. That is pretty much my worst nightmare. I really feel for ya, just reading it on the board. I'm sure within a year you'll be driving some new wheels around, telling the story like an old salt :wink:. Like somebody further up said, we're just all glad you made it out without getting cooked. "Any crash you walk away from is a good landing."

[Evo Mike]

Man, i'm sorry to hear that. Like someone said earlier, in a little time, you'll be driving a new, awesome set of wheels. :o Then, you could look back on this misfortune and tell the story like it was "old salt."

I know it doesn't really help to here all of this from people at the present moment, but i KNOW what it feels like to have the car of my dreams taken away SOON AFTER it was in my possesion. It felt terrible. However, nearly 5 months later.. Some way, some how, by some miracle, things worked out. I hope from the bottom of my heart that it will happen to you as well.

evo mike ~

[sperry]

<Moved to SECCS member's forum... away from public eyes.>

[Kostamojen]

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

The engine bay is totaled for sure, nothing is left in there. It was hot enough to completely melt the front strut bar (aluminum) and the engine is for sure severely damaged by the heat. The only things I MIGHT be able to recover are the rear suspension bits, like the swaybar/endlinks/control links/strut bar/etc., but I talked to the towing yard and they have to get authorization by AAA to let me remove anything that is bolted to the car. The wheels were included in the value of the car, so they will probably have to stay. I dont know if I want to try and recover those rear suspension parts, if anyone does have any ideas of what that takes or wants to help let me know...

I guess right now ill start looking for a new car, so keep an eye out. Something $6000 or under. I got the quote back from insurance, and thats about how much ill have to work with... Preferably something less expensive so I have something left for maintenance.

This would be a good example of that: http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11134 I'd have to convert it to manual though, but I think a wagon somewhere around 93-98 of any scoob is what ill concentrate looking for.
Something like this other car is neat too: http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69947
But I worry about all those crazy mods...

If anyone sees anything let me know.

[Nick Koan]

There is a '98 RS that MikeSTI knows how to get to for $2k.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by nKoan

There is a '98 RS that MikeSTI knows how to get to for $2k.

Really?

[sperry]

Not to be mean, but the handwritten font is busting me up:



You should have drawn fire all over it and written "pow!" or something.

[Kostamojen]

I could do an animated gif of it burning to the ground...

[tysonK]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

I could do an animated gif of it burning to the ground...

oh man that's awlful.