RX8 went on fire

bajer100

So, my RX8 burst into flames last week. 2004, 192bhp with an engine rebuild done 18 months ago. No new work done in the last six months - bar oil top-ups. Drove from the Dart park and ride at 17:30, collected my daughter, and was home by 18:30. Then drove it at about 20:30 to go to the shops, and only got about 500 meters up the road when it suddenly lost power. Lights flashed on the dash and she died. I guided her to the kerb and stuck the hazards on (lights were still working).

Got my daughter out of the car and pushed her up a bit further off the road (with the assistance of a passing good Samaritan), and noticed the smoke coming out from under the bonnet. This smoke got very thick, very quickly, and then the flames started. Rang the roadside assist and then the Fire Brigade. After a few minutes when the flames got really bad, I rang the Gardai - cos people were still driving by - and I reckoned that it could explode.

Fire Brigade eventually arrived and put it out. Said they had never seen anything like it. Whole front of the car had melted. They said they reckoned it was electrical - but I reckon they were guessing. The assessor phoned me and asked me a few questions, and touted the idea that maybe it was a problem with the wiring to the headlights - but I got the impression that he hadn't a clue either. He said that maybe because I was driving with headlights on at 20:30 - and no lights earlier, that the lights may be a clue.

Scary stuff though. She really took off and I was sure that with the amount of fire that the petrol tank would go - it didn't though. Fireman told me that cars don't usually explode like that - that's just movies.

One interesting thing is that while it was in flames - the engine kicked into life, and she started. I've done a bit of googling and can find no clue as to what happened. I found a few instances of RX8s going on fire, but nothing conclusive.

Anyway - there you go. That was me and my car this week. Still waiting to see what I get from the insurance. I'll miss the Rex, but won't miss the horrendous mpg. Looking at Volvo S60, or S80. Or if I get enough money my gf has a 2006 Honda Accord that she will give me for €4500.

Stheno

Jesus OP, narrow escape.

Just glad you and your daughter are unharmed.

colm_mcm

Check the fuel lines at the pump as well as at the engine in the engine bay. Fuel spills with resulting fireball and destruction of the 8 have happened far too many times after an engine replacement where the dealer reuses the fuel line instead of replacing. The clips are no designed to be used again, and don't grip as hard as when new. Fuel line wiggles/shakes loose, fuel pump hoses down the engine bay with gas and boom. Fortunately no deaths yet, but several very close calls. Get that checked asap, and if any evidence of fuel leaking, get it to a dealer without delay!

http://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shooting-95/strong-gas-smell-while-car-sitting-idle-230142/

Matt Simis

Sounds like the uncontrolled combustion that happens with diesels, where due to an oil leak of some manner it starts sucking the engine oil into the combustion chamber and running directly off the oil as its fuel source. Keeps going until there is no oil or engine.

colm_mcm

Matt Simis wrote: »

Sounds like the uncontrolled combustion that happens with diesels, where due to an oil leak of some manner it starts sucking the engine oil into the combustion chamber and running directly off the oil as its fuel source. Keeps going until there is no oil or engine.

But the car started itself after being stopped

Matt Simis

colm_mcm wrote: »

But the car started itself after being stopped

Yeah, not sure what to think about that.. surely that fits neither the Engine oil combustion or leaky fuel line theory? I had cars with leaky fuel lines, its actually really common on lots of stuff. Typically and nearly always its an annoyance, even a stream of fuel directly onto an exhaust manifold wont ignite. Petrol typically needs an ignition (spark) source, not heat (unlike a diesel obviously).

colm_mcm

Far as I know, cars starting themselves when they're on fire isn't uncommon.

That said, if the fuel line was off, then what was keeping the engine going?


I'd be suspicious of fuel line and fuel rail.

bajer100

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shooting-95/strong-gas-smell-while-car-sitting-idle-230142/

I came across that issue in my search - but the rebuild was done by someone who is regarded as the rotary engine expert in this country - so I kinda ruled out this sort of schoolboy error.

Oh - something I should have said in my original post is that I reckoned the Cat was shot. I was humming and hawing about whether to get it drilled out or replaced (rotaries are exempt from emissions for the NCT).

bajer100

BTW - really appreciate all the comments and the theories about what happened. Thanks lads.

colm_mcm

Have you stuck this up on Irish rotary?

bajer100

colm_mcm wrote: »

But the car started itself after being stopped

That was very strange. The car was in flames and had been parked up and idle for 10 minute and she suddenly started. Started first time too! :-)

colm_mcm

bajer100 wrote: »

That was very strange. The car was in flames and had been parked up and idle for 10 minute and she suddenly started. Started first time too! :-)

Unusual for a warm rx8

repsol

bajer100 wrote: »

So, my RX8 burst into flames last week. 2004, 192bhp with an engine rebuild done 18 months ago. No new work done in the last six months - bar oil top-ups. Drove from the Dart park and ride at 17:30, collected my daughter, and was home by 18:30. Then drove it at about 20:30 to go to the shops, and only got about 500 meters up the road when it suddenly lost power. Lights flashed on the dash and she died. I guided her to the kerb and stuck the hazards on (lights were still working).

Got my daughter out of the car and pushed her up a bit further off the road (with the assistance of a passing good Samaritan), and noticed the smoke coming out from under the bonnet. This smoke got very thick, very quickly, and then the flames started. Rang the roadside assist and then the Fire Brigade. After a few minutes when the flames got really bad, I rang the Gardai - cos people were still driving by - and I reckoned that it could explode.

Fire Brigade eventually arrived and put it out. Said they had never seen anything like it. Whole front of the car had melted. They said they reckoned it was electrical - but I reckon they were guessing. The assessor phoned me and asked me a few questions, and touted the idea that maybe it was a problem with the wiring to the headlights - but I got the impression that he hadn't a clue either. He said that maybe because I was driving with headlights on at 20:30 - and no lights earlier, that the lights may be a clue.

Scary stuff though. She really took off and I was sure that with the amount of fire that the petrol tank would go - it didn't though. Fireman told me that cars don't usually explode like that - that's just movies.

One interesting thing is that while it was in flames - the engine kicked into life, and she started. I've done a bit of googling and can find no clue as to what happened. I found a few instances of RX8s going on fire, but nothing conclusive.

Anyway - there you go. That was me and my car this week. Still waiting to see what I get from the insurance. I'll miss the Rex, but won't miss the horrendous mpg. Looking at Volvo S60, or S80. Or if I get enough money my gf has a 2006 Honda Accord that she will give me for €4500.

Sounds like the GF has 4500 reasons to torch it!:P

Bigus

I think from an insurance point of view op should remain in the dark as to any causes,speculation and put it down to , these things happen,

otherwise it become pass the parcel on who's insurance will pay out , Nuff said.

bajer100

colm_mcm wrote: »

Have you stuck this up on Irish rotary?

No, I haven't. Since it happened I have been more concerned about what sort of car I can get for the money I may get from the insurance and so have been looking at this forum to that end. It's only tonight that I thought of posting this. Fair point about Irish Rotary - I'll post that report there now.

bajer100

repsol wrote: »

Sounds like the GF has 4500 reasons to torch it!:P

2006 Honda Accord for €4500! I'd nearly burn out the Rex to take that car off her! But your point is well made. My mind did think about a malicious cause. I have been involved in a bitter custody dispute that involved international court cases. But I've ruled that out, our daughter was in the car - and was always likely to be. Also - there was a very small window when someone could have interfered with the car. Less than two hours, in a gated environment, and mainly in daylight. (I drove the car back to my apartment). And if the assessor found evidence of foul play - there are cams that would show that.

bajer100

colm_mcm wrote: »

Unusual for a warm rx8

Nah - that problem is overstated - as is the flooding issue. The only problem I had with her was brutal mpg.

Tea 1000

bajer100 wrote: »

Nah - that problem is overstated - as is the flooding issue. The only problem I had with her was brutal mpg.

Maybe it knew that you'd replace it with a Volvo and wanted to self-destruct!!

triggermortis

Sorry to hear about yout rex OP and glad everyone is ok. Hope mine doesn't go the same way..

MetzgerMeister

bajer100 wrote: »

Nah - that problem is overstated - as is the flooding issue. The only problem I had with her was brutal mpg.

These 2 problems are far from over-stated

Good to see that you got out of it with your daughter

antodeco

Was it a full tank of petrol? If so, make sure you get it back!

aujopimur

Keep your mouth shut, no guessing what the problem was, it's the insurers problem now.
Wait for the setelment and take it from there.