Driving for less than 3 minutes today. I slow for a light-BOOM. Then I hear people honking and yelling at me.
"GET OUT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!!!"

me, they can't be talking to me. what is that grey shit coming from the hood? OH SHIT, IT IS ME!

944 turbo, up in flames!


Man, I love that car!!

woe is you. did you get it out quickley?

A water pumper catches fire!

Stick with the air cooled ones.

Paul

(Sorry for your loss)

thank goodness you have the ability to tell us. sorry about the car.

kevin

did it backfire and set the ass on fire?

right now, I really don't have the slightest idea.

At first I thought it might have been an oil line, but it aint no 914-6, so my oil's not exposed like that.
It sure made a mess of things. I can't imagine how expensive it's gonna be to fix it!!

I DO carry full coverage! Even on the older cars.

Wow...glad you're alright. Maybe some FI component blew up?

Well, to answer the question in the title, no.
Glad you made it out ok.

Had em' go BOOM.....that's bad....but insurance don't cover that.....I've never had a convenient fire....sounds like a gud plan, considering the circumstances.....hope you didn't put it out too qiuck.

can you stuff a 928 motor in that hole.

Sorry to hear about the loss. Good thing it didn't happen last weekend. Pictures?

sucks.....how much is it worth?... could buy some nice 914 stuff with that

Holy crap! Good to hear you weren't charred!

I burned a teener once, I like talking about it.



M

Sounds like a good candidate for a 350 SBC transplant to me. How bad was the fire damage? Show us the porno for pyros!!!

Wow, ditto the glad to see you made it out OK sentients.

Had an old Hyundai *almost* catch fire on me while I was driving it on a road trip once. I was 17 and somehow an old rag (i musta run over or something) got wrapped around the transaxle right next to the oil pan. I was wondering why people kept passing me giving me strange looks till I noticed the burning embers on the ground behind my car (it was about 10 p.m. or I never would have seen them). I got REAL lucky that I wasn't hurt, but not lucky enough that it didn't kill the Hyundai.

Sean:

Damn, I'm sorry to hear about your "incident" That sucks!!
All this talk of cars catching on fire has me spooked...
I was going to try and fire my 914 up (bad choice of words?)
tonight after it's been sitting for 4 years in a garage.
I just got it last week and I've replaced all the fluids and filters,
cleaned out all the mice crap and seeds and got the gas tank
reconditioned. It's got 76K original miles on it.
I thought I'd put a bottle of injector cleaner in and definately
have the fire extinguisher handy when I try to start it.
Any other suggestions?
Good luck Sean.

Andy...

P.S. let me know in the seats.

two fire extinguishers

Just catching up on this thread..

Wow - glad to hear that you're okay.

Keep us posted, and hopefully you got pics!

Andy,

I used to live in Milwaukee... what side of town are you on?

About your teener... you might want to consider pulling the plugs and spraying the insides of the cylinders with some oil - to help mitigate wear on that dry start-up.

You could consider pulling your injectors and spraying them out/off with a bit of carb cleaner. How are the injector o-rings looking? Did you replace the cloth covered fuel lines with the newer style safe ones?

Also, turn the key to run, let the fuel pump work for a bit, and check to make sure all your fuel lines are tight and stuff.

Hey Sean,

Glad you got out alright and hope the insurance will cough up some 914 money

cheers,

Jeroen

We'll see about the insurance company.

They treated me like a criminal this morning.
Asked me about my financial situation, if the car was for sale, if it had been modified lately.
They asked the same questions about 3 or 4 times in different manners looking for a different answer.
Like NYPD Blue or Law and Order.

They better cough up some dough!
I couldn't find an 86 turbo for less than 9k in excellence or panorama last night.

-sean

What did you tell them ?? Um.. I drove the car 8 hours last week. I was sitting in traffic when it burnt...


B

BTDT

I'll bet their first offer doesn't exceed $4200.

Go ahead and get quotes from three separate sources (preferrably dealers) to replace your car. With those quotes, you might stand a chance to get them to up the offer.

Had to go through this 3 years ago....eventually got them to double the offer, but it was hell getting there.

Don't forget the PCA's valuation service. It's listed in Pano every month.

i got a 2500 dollar screwing on the teener. the insurance co was nice, but the state won't issue a salvage title on a car more that 10 years old. i have my ways and i am working on it.

keep the vaseline jar handy, you might need it.


i would guess your air box blew with a hung cold start. are we taking bets on the cause yet?


i had a letter from pca on values. it helped. when in doubt, sick mikez on them.

I just got my teener at the beginning of this summer and not long after I got it I had to get some new fuel hoses because it was leaking gas under the tank. A couple of days after I fixed that I was smelling more gas... I popped the engine lid and got to see gasoline dripping on to my hot engine. Luckily I replaced that before it cause any serious trouble.

My dad's Aerostar van had an alternator that was starting to go. It was in pretty bad shape but he decided to see if I could drive the van in all on battery power. Well only a couple of blocks from the mechanic's place he noticed some smoke coming from under the hood. When he popped the hood a lot of smoke came out and then a huge flame bursted up from the alternator. Luckily he was able to put it out with his water bottle. Didn't think an alternator would catch fire like that.

Oh, and apparently when a 914 burns, IT BURNS! See the attached picture.

Sean, I'll give up my screen name if you want it as its more fitting for you!

Geoff (Bleyseng pronounced-Blazing)

I just got back from the insurance company. Went there to pick up some paperwork.

They want me to give them power of attorney for the car - they haven't even seen it yet.
They want me to give them access to all of my financial records - what the fuck!
They want me to give them permission to tear the car apart - what? Remember, they haven't even seen it yet!
They want me to fill out a form describing the incident and all of my life, basically, when I bought the car, how I first found out about the car, yada, yada, yada.

I think this is a load of shit. My dad and brother told me if I sign it-I'm fucked. I tend to agree!


I called her back (didn't answer) and left her a message telling her that this was inapropriate.
They are STILL making me feel like a thief, cheat, liar!

What insurance company is this? Sounds like time to call your state insurance comissioner.

Geoff

I have a friend of mine that says never talk to the insurance company without talking to a lawyer first.

Yes-he's a lawyer.

Paul

I'm thinking about finding one.

Talk to a lawyer second, your state should have someone to talk to free about the laws in your state.
Geoff

may the force be with you luke.

Sean,

You have to treat them the same way they are treating you. Insurance companies can be crooks, don't trust them.

Tell them:

• You are the owner of the car. You will sign over the title to them when they pay you for the true value of the vehicle. Tell them that you don't understand the request for the Power of Attorney. Ask them why they need it.
• Tell them, \"My financial records are private and confidential.\" Period, end of that conversation.
• Tell them that they do not have permission to tear the car apart. However, you will agree to let an appraiser examine the vehicle for damage.
• Fill out their info form. But, ignore anything that does not have to do with the car.

Did the Fire Department come to extinguish the fire? If so, get a copy of their report. Also, request a copy of the final determination as to cause.

Don't sign anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for the info guys!

I havent signed ANYTHING!
nor will I til this is settled to my satisfaction.

Paul Heery's right on with his info.

Put it all in writing. Their requests to you and your replys. Keep a paper trail.

You might not need a copy of the fire departments service report, yet, but they are available.

Find out where the insurance companys head office is. A letter to the general manager expressing your dissatisfaction of how the agent is handling this matter might be in order in the future.

You do have to give them a statement. The same one you gave to the police (did you report it to them yet?)
But that's it...like "On (date) at (time) I was driving my (car/make/model) on (Street) when neibouring cars started honking their horns at me. I stoppped the car and flames started coming out from under the hood. I got out of my car and called the fire department." date and sign it. mail it to them.

Call your state insurance commisioner and ask what are your rights. Tell them why your calling.

In most jurisdictions the fire department or fire commisioners office has the right to determine how and why a fire has started.

s

ask the ins co to provide their request's in writing .
usualy when you ask for written documentation the attitude gets a lot better .
your financial records are of no import to the ins. co. so request an explanation in writing from a senior adjuster as to why they are requesting confiidential information about your financial situation
good luck

jt

Good to hear that you didn't get injured in the flames. What a PITA dealing with the aftermath!

Occurances like this piss me off about insurance. We pay an agreed upon amount for an agreed upon service. However, all too often, it turns into a bit of a battle to exercise the agreement that we have already paid for! WTF - Something just ain't right with this! It seems kind of criminal some of the tactics and request that the insurance companies employ.

I've got a friend that works for a national insurance co. Just for the hell of it I'll ask her what the insurance co will do and why, and what the insured should do. - I'll let you know if I can get any good tips.

Good luck with getting this to go your way.

Hey, you copped my avitar!!! Thats cool Good choice!!

Thats awful about your 951! Engine fire is the biggest concern I have about my teens and eleven. Insurance companies will try and work you but if you ride them hard you can make out better. I just saw a 356 cab charred in Los Gatos. I went back for picts but it was gone. It was bad too. There's just no way to bring a car back from a bad fire...

Glad you're OK though. Good luck.

I'm insured through Farm Bureau. Never had a claim until last year. Then...

- Hit a deer in March....$1400 damage
- Hit another deer in April....$2600 damage.
 EVEN WITH NEW DEER WHISTLES
- Last car in a pile-up on I-69 in Dec....totalled my car.
 A lady actually came to a complete stop in the fast lane in the middle of morning rush hour b/c someone cut in front of her...5 car pile-up.

Farm Bureau didn't bat an eye. Took care of me 110%. Even if I could find cheaper coverage elsewhere (I'm sure its out there) I wouldn't switch. My rates haven't even changed more than a few bucks per 6mo.

First rate service.

Lawrence:
I grew up on the south side (20th and Layton, near Mitchell field) and I am living in New Berlin for the last 10 years.
When did you live in Milwaukee? Did you go to school here?
Can you come over and help me get my 914 started?!
I tried it last night, but no luck. I heard the fuel pump working and it turned over strong, but no firing.
I'll start the troubleshooting tonight. I'll check for spark and then the points (I did replace them) and I think
I may need to check the points gap. I was very dissapointed last night, but maybe I had my hopes too high.
My 914 hasn't been started in 4 years, but was inside a garage.
Wish me luck.
Thanks,
Andy...

Andy,

When I was young, I lived in North Lake, but for high school, lived in Wauwatosa. I went to MLHS.

I would certainly come over and help, if I was in the area - but I live in Kansas these days.

Tell you what - please start a new thread, and give us the info for your car. There is a great wealth of experience here, and we'll help you if we can.

-Rusty

Is coolant/antifreeze flamable?

It sounds like the cause of the fire was a flamable substance on the header.
I'm not sure if the "boom" was before or after the fire started now.

I just read something last night (while sitting in the Krispy Kreme drive thru at 2am) that POrsche recalled the 944 Turbo's for a fuel line issue at or near the top of the engine.

Know anything about this ??


B

Was that info on the Krispy Creme drive-thru menu??

no, but that could be it. It fits with the insurance company's assesment.

I don't think antifreeze is flamable. However, from the Windshield Washer Fluid bottle:

"Contains over 20% Methonol. FLAMAMABLE - Keep away from heat and open flame"

disagree with that.

it sounds like the insurance co wants it to be a mechanical failure.

the power steering pump is the only thing on that side?