Holy Smokes (literally) Caught fire!
09-05-2007 | 07:41 PM
#17
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 1
From: Prince George's County, MD
Yeah, airbags hurt and the gun powder from them burn.
Man, I'm kind of excited for you on your potential 996 Turbo purchase.
The one problem I see is you didn't get the car towed home to strip the parts off after the the adjuster totals it.
Man, I'm kind of excited for you on your potential 996 Turbo purchase.
The one problem I see is you didn't get the car towed home to strip the parts off after the the adjuster totals it.
I had it towed to Niello Porsche and got a phone call from them....they said the entire wiring harness and most of the controls under the dash are toast....plus with the deployed airbag and blown out windshield....I fully expect it to be totalled.
I will do an extensive followup with pictures...especially to cover the issue of potential cause. But one thing you folks might take from this is that in the event of an interior fire like this....watch out for that airbag deployment!! I was lucky that I was half in/half out of the car from the passenger's side taking my insurance documents out of the center console when it went off. Although it just hit me a glancing blow to the side of the head, since my cervical spine is fused at the C4 location, it could have easily broken my neck hitting me from the side like that.
Another thing I'll take away from this is that I've been looking at fire extinguishers....IslandmandPA I think sells the Halon ones.....and I talked myself out of buying them on a number of occasions using the logic that I've never heard of one of these cars just catching fire. My mindset has changed substantially.
I also have a lot of good mods in there that I'm hoping to be able to retro and keep...PSS9's, headers, EVOM CAI, MKII mufflers, new Michelin Pilot Sports, RSS Plenum etc. I kept all the OEM stuff, so I'm hoping that if the insurance company does write it off, they'll let me retro it to stock. There's a lot of money tied up in all those mods. I'd sure like to recoup some of it and offer it on this forum....because when the smoke clears (literally?) I intend to be looking for a twin turbo...and as a matter of fact am already talking to several folks about theirs.
Chuck
I will do an extensive followup with pictures...especially to cover the issue of potential cause. But one thing you folks might take from this is that in the event of an interior fire like this....watch out for that airbag deployment!! I was lucky that I was half in/half out of the car from the passenger's side taking my insurance documents out of the center console when it went off. Although it just hit me a glancing blow to the side of the head, since my cervical spine is fused at the C4 location, it could have easily broken my neck hitting me from the side like that.
Another thing I'll take away from this is that I've been looking at fire extinguishers....IslandmandPA I think sells the Halon ones.....and I talked myself out of buying them on a number of occasions using the logic that I've never heard of one of these cars just catching fire. My mindset has changed substantially.
I also have a lot of good mods in there that I'm hoping to be able to retro and keep...PSS9's, headers, EVOM CAI, MKII mufflers, new Michelin Pilot Sports, RSS Plenum etc. I kept all the OEM stuff, so I'm hoping that if the insurance company does write it off, they'll let me retro it to stock. There's a lot of money tied up in all those mods. I'd sure like to recoup some of it and offer it on this forum....because when the smoke clears (literally?) I intend to be looking for a twin turbo...and as a matter of fact am already talking to several folks about theirs.
Chuck
09-05-2007 | 08:23 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO : 12 Square miles surrounded by reality.
But one thing you folks might take from this is that in the event of an interior fire like this....watch out for that airbag deployment!! I was lucky that I was half in/half out of the car from the passenger's side taking my insurance documents out of the center console when it went off. Although it just hit me a glancing blow to the side of the head, since my cervical spine is fused at the C4 location, it could have easily broken my neck hitting me from the side like that.
Glad to hear you came out of it unscathed, if a bit smoky. Good luck finding a suitable replacement.
- Nick
09-05-2007 | 09:05 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 2
From: Elk Grove, California
Gotta: I actually thought about your car as I was watching mine burn....I love the color, it's newer, and I know you've taken care of it....but I'm really looking for an X50.....but I won't write you off. I have to see what the insurance company is willing to do for me.....I know it's going to be the usual fight of "We'll give you $XXX.....no I have more than that into it.....Well then how about $XXX". Hopefully I can get a quick settlement out of this then move on to something else. I even considered selling the 87 Slant and putting that money towards a whatever.....but I'm sort of attached to that air cooled 930.
09-05-2007 | 09:19 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 790
Likes: 26
From: Albany NY
WOW, craziest story I have heard in a long time, but most importantly you are OK... Soon enough you will get another and better car to replace this one. You are right though when you least expect these occurences to happen, BAM, you get it... I may need to look into a fire extinguisher now, who knows when my wires start going nuts too, Oops... Good luck buddy! Keep us updated on the insurance part.
Cheers,
Cheers,
09-05-2007 | 09:32 PM
#22
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 2
From: Elk Grove, California
Also just so you all know.....I had NO aftermarket stuff under the dash....the radio was a CDR220 and other than the GIAC flash, there were absolutely no modifications in the dash. Everything under there was stock......now the engine is another matter, but that's not where the fire started. Do yourself a favor....go buy a Halon extinguisher. Although the CHP guy who stopped and offered to help used his extinguisher.....the God awful mess that one of those extinguishers makes is heartbreaking....especially after I spent two days getting it ready for the class reunion this weekend. The dogone car looks like a barn find.
09-05-2007 | 09:54 PM
#23
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
Sorry to hear what happened. I was reading and expected and the end of your story to say "and then I woke up sweating".
Before I bought the 996, I was looking at 3.2 911 Carreras. One of them started smoking around the dash area when the A/C was turned on. Luckily we shut the car down before it caught fire. The short was probably from old dried insulation on the wiring and/or an overloaded circuit.
Before I bought the 996, I was looking at 3.2 911 Carreras. One of them started smoking around the dash area when the A/C was turned on. Luckily we shut the car down before it caught fire. The short was probably from old dried insulation on the wiring and/or an overloaded circuit.
09-05-2007 | 10:49 PM
#24
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Chuck,
What a drag. I’m so sorry to hear about your car but I’m glad that you weren’t injured.
I feel your pain.
Just yesterday going home I hit some road debris which launched my car on two wheels, the two on the left, setting off the passenger side airbag when I landed back on all fours. I was thinking that if I had a passenger the airbag could have pushed them into me which could have caused a worst accident.
Can I call dibs on the EVO CAI intake.
A TT will be good therapy.
Good luck.
What a drag. I’m so sorry to hear about your car but I’m glad that you weren’t injured.
I feel your pain.
Just yesterday going home I hit some road debris which launched my car on two wheels, the two on the left, setting off the passenger side airbag when I landed back on all fours. I was thinking that if I had a passenger the airbag could have pushed them into me which could have caused a worst accident.
Can I call dibs on the EVO CAI intake.
A TT will be good therapy.
Good luck.
09-05-2007 | 11:09 PM
#25
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: MA, the cradle of random driving
That is terrible. The airbag deployment must have really sucked. I am fused C5-7 also, nice to think our cars could kill us.
Hopefully this is a freak occurance and the cause is found.
Hopefully this is a freak occurance and the cause is found.
09-06-2007 | 03:45 AM
#29
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
Chuck, feel really sorry for you. What a freak accident!! I'm glad you are ok though. I hope you settle this and get to buy the twin turbo. Promise not to forget us here on the 996 board when you start talking to the turbo boys.
