Results of a Terrible Fire

Techmonkey · 12-12-2003, 05:37 PM

Hi all

As some of you may remember my car caught on fire and burnned for 45 to 1 hour before the fire department showed.
Ill recap for those that dont know or remember.

I have an 83 944.

I originally spun a berring and I bought a new used engine with solid compession across the board. I had my mechanic do the engine swap as it was far beyond my capablities.
When the car was returned to me I drove it for less than 200 miles(witch where i live is a small amount), when going around a corner without pushing the car or anything I heard a "POP".
I immidiatly pushed the clutch and the brake down and they fell to the floor with no resistance. I ussed the E-brake to slow the car down and pull to the side of the country road. Just as I came to a stop I saw thick white smoke coming from under the hood. By the time I had one foot out the car flames were coming from under the hood. Popped the hoodand the top of the engine was on fire.

What was determinded happened was the black feul hose coming over the top the engine popped off at the crimp and ignigted burning through the clutch/brake res. Then proceded to burn the rest of the car.

Ok now to the good part!

My mechanic not wanting to lose my bussiness(we do a lot through him) turnned it into his insurance company.
The first offer was 4225 and I keep the car.
I said no cause they always offer less than they will give.
And they came back with I get $5000 from them and the $1000 deductible that my mechanic pays.

Needless tosay I feel good about it as the Blue Book is only $4000.
This way im not out any thing and can look for some new toy!!
Turbo has a nice ring.
In the mean time I have a really rough 83 to tinker with.

Cody

Wolf1 · 12-12-2003, 05:43 PM

Cody there is an 88 Turbo for sale in IF.

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

You ought'a make it out of this deal like a bandit.

... do you have any pics of the damage?

cruzermusic · 12-12-2003, 05:46 PM

first thing i did was pay someone to replace my fuel lines..,,,if it burns... he owns it.

Don 944 LA · 12-12-2003, 08:47 PM

I do however carry a pack of marshmallows for the occasional Roastin' der Pee-Car

Now that you mention it, I do have a couple laying around that I should deffinatly install in the Pee-Car.

Maybe I could find a nice Ricer Bracket and put next to the winshield. Should also give me 5 more HP.

Don

__________________
1984/85 944na
Gold exterior / Black interior
Los Angeles / San Diego
Lookin for ideas etc...

Techmonkey · 12-13-2003, 01:55 AM

I would have been happy to just have the fire extinguisher in the cubby holes in the hatch.

Funniest thing while watching:

Two fools that showed up with fire extinguishers used them in the wheel wells. LOL
You all know how big the hole for the air box is and they had no idea what they were doing but cause they were theirs they had control of them.(best intentions I guess)
They did how ever put the fire out that was on the fender for 5 or 6 seconds. Well worth two faily large fire extinguishers.

Worst part:
Seeing the fire trucks coming down the road and knowing it is going to take another 20 minutes to get there!

And Wolf1 Where at Ill go take a look. Hook me up with some info.

perfecto951 · 12-13-2003, 10:16 AM

i carry a bottle of NAWS on my passenger side A-piller instead of a fire extinguisher!

not really. but i carry a big bottle of water (of course with a red cap on it)

scottmandue · 12-13-2003, 11:03 AM

there is a cool mount that puts it at the base of the passengers seat, that's what I am planing on getting. do a search here it was discussed at length.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Cody, Take the $4,000 from the insurance and take a credit with the mechanic on the $1,000. Personally I would split it with him to be a good guy.

I don't think the mechanic was really responsible for the fuel line coming apart. There is an age old factory bulliten about this. Still if he had talked with me a few more times he would have known all of the problems with the 944's.

bearone2 · 12-13-2003, 05:47 PM

what is "if" for the 88 turbo

Wolf1 · 12-13-2003, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Techmonkey

And Wolf1 Where at Ill go take a look. Hook me up with some info.

Cody, it is at Ron Sayers. They are the Dodge and BMW dealer. Located on Northgate Mile in Idaho Falls, its still there, I saw it again tonight. ...

Wolf1 · 12-13-2003, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bearone2
what is "if" for the 88 turbo

IF= local slang for Idaho Falls, Idaho.

That way we don't missspppell it...

ronin · 12-13-2003, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don 944 LA
I do however carry a pack of marshmallows for the occasional Roastin' der Pee-Car

oh, so now you're on a roll, eh? I do charge royalties y'know

Techmonkey · 12-14-2003, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal Driver
Cody, Take the $4,000 from the insurance and take a credit with the mechanic on the $1,000. Personally I would split it with him to be a good guy.

I don't think the mechanic was really responsible for the fuel line coming apart. There is an age old factory bulliten about this. Still if he had talked with me a few more times he would have known all of the problems with the 944's.

You the man Hugh

I was going to do that exact same thing and either split the 1000 or let them keep it all. Im never out to get anyone as long as I am made whole Ill be very happy.

And I do belive that the feul line problem was for the 87.
And I did make them very aware of that fact that they have a recall!!!!! And gave them the print out of all the recalls that the cars have from 83 to 89.
I fully agree they should have called you more as Lee(my mechanic) said his chat witgh you was VERY informative.
I guess they felt the "all data" had the info they needed as I dont think they used the FWSM only a few times.

Cody

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Better luck this time.

Wish I had the resources to come up for a couple of days. Give you the once around on all the things I've learned in the last 19 years owning one of these cars.