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So I've been a lurker and avid reader of this forum since I was lucky enough to pick up my 993 C2 back in 2010. Driving it from SC to Pittsburgh after I signed on to the title, zipping through the mountains of WV, listening the engine just growl and scream like a junkyard dog is one of my favorite memories from the last ten years. But my beloved 'Cassius' or "Rumblecar" is no more.
Last Sunday, I pulled out of Home Depot with my 12yo daughter riding shotgun chatting about her sleepover and came to a stop at a red light. On green, I put into first and it stalls. Odd, so I fire it up again and engage first, when I hear a loud POP in the engine bay and the car stalls, again. I wheel around to see FLAMES coming out of the spoiler wing. I instinctively undid both my and my daughter's seatbelt and told her to get out and get away from the car. She jumped out and met me on the curb. Solid head on that kid's shoulders. We watched the car burn while we inched our way further away as the flames began to creep up to the rear wheels. Odd, I didn't feel anything about my car as I watched it go up. I had my kid and she didn't have a scratch on her.
A crowd collected quickly, everyone pulling their cell phones out to video the carnage. Multiple people however came over to make sure we were ok and to let us know they had called the police and fire departments. So all we could do was wait and file a report.
I don't really know how to talk about it. When our friends find out, they get really emotional (yes, tears) and want to give me and my daughter a hug. Which makes me feel sad and perhaps a little bad that maybe I put my kid in harms way. Maybe I'm still in a bit of shock. I understand how lucky we were that circumstances weren't slightly different.
Anyway, wanted to share with a forum that I have learned a ton from and remind everyone to give their sweeties a squeeze and tell them you love them. I had a real bond with my car, but I'd watch it burn 100 times to have my family safe. Not sure if I'm going to get back into a 993, at least for while.
Holy Toledo! Those flame shots are really something.
I know it sounds cliche, but the main thing is you and your daughter are safe. Perhaps if hasn't eroded your trust, another 993 might be in the offing once you settle with insurance.
Anyway, so sorry to see posts like this, and at least everyone is OK
Main thing is you and your daughter walked away unharmed. It could have been so much worse having witnessed what happens when folks could not get out of a burning vehicle, so from that perspective it was a great day. The thing with four wheels can be replaced. So glad to hear you two were able to make it out and your perspective is good.
I've always said that Panorama plaza is an unholy Bermuda triangle. Had two accidents within 500 yards of there over the years.
The point is, Herr Doctor, don't worry. The important thing is that you and your daughter are fine and that nobody got hurt. Car... it's just a car. There are others. This one will be missed, I'm sure, but you'll be OK in time, it's just a life's experience.
One thing, if I may... check on your daughter and talk to her about it. Could be a fairly traumatic experience and she needs to know that it's an absolute fluke and that it not dangerous if dealt with properly, like the two of you did.
My wife asks me why I mounted the fire extinguisher in front of her seat....I tell her it's because it's a 21 yo car. I'll show her this when I get home.
I'll cut to the chase: Is this a common occurrence with our cars? If so, what should we be doing to mitigate it? (Disclaimer: I have no kids and I have no feelings)
Wow- I teared up reading that which I didn't expect. I think it is because I have a daughter (7 yo) and we ride around in my 993 all the time so your story resonated. So happy that you guys are both safe and thought fast. Obviously it could have been a lot worse but everything irreplaceable made it out of the car in the nick of time.
I'll cut to the chase: Is this a common occurrence with our cars? If so, what should we be doing to mitigate it? (Disclaimer: I have no kids and I have no feelings)
No.
Checking your motor regularly, or maybe better, semi-regularly buy diligently.
Could've been a fuel component, could have been electrical. Example- the wire insulation on the SAI pump is "notoriously" poor and brittle and subject to literally going to dust, leaving two sizeable wires (I'd assume for adequate current) exposed. Several here, including me, have discovered this issue. Enough for a fire? Maybe. On the 3.2 vintage Carreras, there have been a number of fires due to the high pressure fuel line over the motor letting go, and showering the hot engine.
It's not a bad thing, IMO, to pull a motor out every few years to do a thorough going over, and take care of needs while it is out. More so of a good thing, the older these cars get.
My wife asks me why I mounted the fire extinguisher in front of her seat....I tell her it's because it's a 21 yo car. I'll show her this when I get home.
Or, 10 year old car that had been maintained (see below).
Originally Posted by Leander
I'll cut to the chase: Is this a common occurrence with our cars? If so, what should we be doing to mitigate it? (Disclaimer: I have no kids and I have no feelings)
No, and I actually posted this over on the 964 Forum this week:
First engine fires we routinely saw were the early CIS cars at 7-10 years old. Really crappy job the factory did going from MFI.
Oddest fire from failure I saw was my friend's '92 Targa about 10 years ago now. It was a high miler (130+K miles at 8 years old), and at some point the engine was out for a clutch or something. When they reinstalled, the solid metal fuel feed line was bent and crimped. About two years in from my friend's buying the car, I happened to be driving it when it sputtered and stopped. Imagine my surprise to see a flame popping through the decklid. Imagine my relief that I pulled over in a neighborhood where a guy just happened to be in his garage with an extinguisher handy, and saw me coasting by.
Now, at 25 years with the 964s + ethanol, who knows how diligent you need to be.
Some very wise (and very funny) comments above. And I needed to laugh!
Panorama bermuda triangle... Yeah, I think I need to find another Home Depot.
With regard to kids, my girls have grown up with that car. They used to love to drive 'fast' through the tunnels in the rear seats and yell with the engine. My 12yo is my heart of gold kid, who honestly I think was just as sad for me as she was scared, "Daddy, that's your car!" she said between sobs. That said, I will keep talking to her about the experience to mitigate any phobia. So far she's been her normal happy self.
Fire inspector said he was unsure what caused the fire. I haven't seen the final report, but I'll share whatever it reveals.
BTW - just in case this ever happens again to anyone here.....
The worst thing you can ever do when trying to extinguish a car fire is to open the hood. It allows the air/oxygen to fuel the fire from below when the smoke is choking it. Opening it acts as a chimney effect.
Best thing to do is only open it a few inches, then spray.
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Had a bad day...
