My celica: On fire!, uh oh.... Options

[samir0189]

Today, less than 5mins before.



the car jerked and sputtered and i saw white smoke, i dont remember if the car shut off or if i shut it off, and then...







The aftermath....

[richee3]

Holy crap dude. You're really lucky that the fire didn't go any further than that.

[Keiri]

Ouch. I'm sorry to see your car in that state...do you have any ideas of what started it? Battery?

The damage looks bad but not as bad as it toasting the whole engine bay...you going to repair the damage?

Good luck either way and I'm glad no one was hurt.

[samir0189]

oh, an idea of whats toast, it looks as if the radiator fan is the start of the fire. according to the FD it was "an electrical short," thanks for that info guys.

Radiator Fan (shroud is melted completely)
Radiator cause its half melted
Airbag Sensor
Engine Shield
Battery
Misc Wires
"flame retardant" engine noise/heat thing is burned pretty bad.

Sure theres some other things im missing, still a little in a daydream...



This post has been edited by samir0189: Dec 10, 2009 - 3:31 PM

[ETNRIDER]

Looks like something put a hole in the battery.

[samir0189]

it was only me in the car, and i am also glad it didnt get worse than that. I am going to repair, HOW is the question....

Just got a call from the toyota dealer it is at; possibly a total loss, the wiring harness is TOAST and discontinued FML guys. $2000+ estimate in parts. OUCH.

[808celica]

Ho damn!!!!!!! nuckin futs atleast it was a small fire

Did you do the ricky bobby up and down the road??? jks bro, glad you're safe

[samir0189]

my stomach hurts.

[azian_advanced]

i thought at first this was going to be a 'hey look at my air-brush flame paint job' thread.. but damn, your car really was on fire!

[Nial]

Let me get this right....you stopped to take a photograph of your car on fire before putting out the flames....are you nuts????

[dustin15brown]

wow man, crazy...... but why were you taking pics?!

[Cuts_the_Pilot]

i agree with neil haha.

first thing that came to your mind was i better take a pic of this ****...and them put it out

although having the pic is kinda cool.

[epocsirhc]

Well what is he supposed to do throw dirt on it? How many people carry a device around that puts out a fire? However I was amazed that you took a picture of it and sorry for the loss.

[95CelicaST]

Many people carry fire extinguishers in their cars.


Is insurance picking up the tab on this? Because you can get a harness, radiator and fan on here for cheap. Hell, Dr Tweak could MAKE you a harness.


And if the airbag sensor is bad, shouldn't it have deployed your airbag?

[richee3]

I wondered the same thing about taking the picture instead of putting the fire out, but I had already thought about the little problem of not having anything to put it out with. All you can do is stand back and watch it burn. I'm really sorry about that, Samir. Hopefully it isn't a total loss.

I thought the airbag sensor was an impact sensor, so fire wouldn't affect it. Only sudden jolts?

This post has been edited by richee3: Dec 10, 2009 - 5:58 PM

[Random_Stranger]

Dang, I think "Hot Rod" has some competition here. But glad you are ok and it didn't do further damaged. It looks as if your battery blew up, but as to why? I have no idea. Regular batteries scare me now, especially after my fan chopped into two of them, spilling battery acid and still driving (stupid me), knowing how hot it gets under my hood. So I bought an optima and it lays down with the plastic under it protecting the battery. Anyhow, just glad you are ok.

[samir0189]

I was waiting on the fire truck, and i figured, pics or gtfo, so. i took pics in the 3 minutes that felt like a lifetime. I figured my car BETTER not catch a fire another time so id take pics this time around

Sadly i do not carry around water or an extinguisher with me as i should, so i was forced to watch my celi burn until FD got to me.

Here is the story, KBB on my car is 1500$ with my amount of miles, 280k.

Toyota quote is over 2k to fix. and to top it off the airbag harness is discontinued. SO the insurance WILL total it, i didnt bother to call them.

I dunno if the airbag sensor is dead, but it is a little melted id rather get a new one. the airbag light in the car is on, didnt get to check the code yet.


I need anybody's help! IF you guys have any of the parts i melted, please PM me SOOOON. Thanks 6gc.


richee - i think you are right, the wires to the sensor melted and the ecu seems to have just recognized it lost contact with it.

This post has been edited by samir0189: Dec 10, 2009 - 6:02 PM

[Nial]

Well what is he supposed to do throw dirt on it? How many people carry a device around that puts out a fire?

Well I would do what ever I could to put the fire out...if that meant using mud then so be it...wet grass, drain water... anything...yank off the top radiator hose and use cooling water. I would franticaly use absolutely anything I could lay my hands on to put the fire out. I have 2 fire extinguishers in the GT4 and one in the Corolla...its always always the first thing I buy for my car after watching my mates car burn and being powerless to do anything about it but the fire was behind the dash so we had no choice.

Everyone should carry a fire extinguisher by law.

But I`m glad that it wasnt too serious and that noone was hurt, its a horrible thing to watch. I`m sure it will soon be sorted out and as good as new

[epocsirhc]

The airbag wouldn't go off unless the metal coated ball moved enough, grounding the circuit. Again sorry about the loss.

[samir0189]

Well what is he supposed to do throw dirt on it? How many people carry a device around that puts out a fire?

Well I would do what ever I could to put the fire out...if that meant using mud then so be it...wet grass, drain water... anything...yank off the top radiator hose and use cooling water. I would franticaly use absolutely anything I could lay my hands on to put the fire out. I have 2 fire extinguishers in the GT4 and one in the Corolla...its always always the first thing I buy for my car after watching my mates car burn and being powerless to do anything about it but the fire was behind the dash so we had no choice.

Everyone should carry a fire extinguisher by law.

But I`m glad that it wasnt too serious and that noone was hurt, its a horrible thing to watch. I`m sure it will soon be sorted out and as good as new

there was nothing i could do. even the rad hose was IN the flame. I was waiving/flailing my hands like a idiot apparently cause no one in FL here stops for you even where there are flames shooting from your hood. they couldn't give 2 sh*ts. I really do think i am going to invest in a mini fire extinguisher; a fire was THE last thing i expected opening that hood- i need to be better prepared. I can't say "when will i ever use a fire extinguisher
" anymore.

[samir0189]

anyone know what goes on the bottom of the radiator here, the two brass/copper "nipples"? No hoses or anything right? was it just plugged?

[808celica]

that's for the auto trans oil cooler thing. all radiators for our cars manual or auto has them.

[yarik83]

Driving in florida without a bottle of water? You have much to learn young padawan.

[dabazied]

Dayum that sux man.... Keep your eyes open for some parts, they come up in the strangest of places sometimes. And if you want a fire extinguisher, I can get em for cheap and they come with a mounting bracket.

Hot Rod, look out, you just got one uped unfortunately..... so sad to see our cars go into flames.

[nics]

anyone know what goes on the bottom of the radiator here, the two brass/copper "nipples"? No hoses or anything right? was it just plugged?

those nipples looks like oil cooler lines for AT.

my radiator has those too but no use.

[samir0189]

that's for the auto trans oil cooler thing. all radiators for our cars manual or auto has them.

cool so i just cap it and im good?

Driving in florida without a bottle of water? You have much to learn young padawan.

yes i do.

Dayum that sux man.... Keep your eyes open for some parts, they come up in the strangest of places sometimes. And if you want a fire extinguisher, I can get em for cheap and they come with a mounting bracket.

Hot Rod, look out, you just got one uped unfortunately..... so sad to see our cars go into flames.

might take you up on that fire extinguisher offer if its not a beast to ship. anyway i hope not to have to go through something like this ever again, ........ but it cant hurt to be prepared.

anyone know what goes on the bottom of the radiator here, the two brass/copper "nipples"? No hoses or anything right? was it just plugged?

those nipples looks like oil cooler lines for AT.

my radiator has those too but no use.

so they dont keep pressure or anything? just leave them as is? i didnt recall anything being there but it looks very shiny an bare now, idk if there were black covers that burnt off.

thanks for your help and concern guys.

[dabazied]

I'm actually going to be on the east coast soon, so shipping would be a lot less as of the 16th, just gotta know if you want one before I leave out, otherwise it would end up being a bit more because I'd have to get it shipped out from Cali instead of me just bringing it over, and us meeting or shipping it off from NC/GA. Also, anything that has to do with your airbag system, that you need, gimmie an offer and let me know what it is exactly that you need. I have mine unplugged anyways. The only piece that wouldn't be for sale is the center console unit, that's the code it was throwing. Just pm me and let me know.

[nics]

anyone know what goes on the bottom of the radiator here, the two brass/copper "nipples"? No hoses or anything right? was it just plugged?

those nipples looks like oil cooler lines for AT.

my radiator has those too but no use.

so they dont keep pressure or anything? just leave them as is? i didnt recall anything being there but it looks very shiny an bare now, idk if there were black covers that burnt off.

thanks for your help and concern guys.

there should be rubber caps but i believe that was burned already. no worries on the nipples

[bloodMoney]

That sucks Samir!

I don't know why I feel so terrible about it though....... It might have something to do with the 43 hours I've been awake....

Anyway, I hope it all works out...

This post has been edited by bloodMoney: Dec 11, 2009 - 2:37 AM

[samir0189]

anyone know if the koyo rad here http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?N=1725...4294963400+9235 it says it fits auto trans, will it fit my manual trans? it just says auto cause it has those nipple correct?


nvm i realize its not the all aluminum one anyway.


Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket rad? on the cheap?

This post has been edited by samir0189: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:22 AM

[azian_advanced]

for a daily driver, i would just stick with a regular radiator. if you want one that's all metal (so it won't melt in case of fire ), i bought mine from usaradiator.com for $121. it's heavier than oem by about 5 lbs.

[samir0189]

for a daily driver, i would just stick with a regular radiator. if you want one that's all metal (so it won't melt in case of fire ), i bought mine from usaradiator.com for $121. it's heavier than oem by about 5 lbs.

yup, i was looking for one that is all metal actually. lol. Thanks! that is a great price and free shipping!!

[azian_advanced]

why don't you just drive there and pick it up?

470 27th St
Orlando, FL 32806
USA

(407) 245-8787


edit: err.. nvm about driving there. didn't know what i was saying.. lol

This post has been edited by azian_advanced: Dec 11, 2009 - 2:38 PM

[samir0189]

why don't you just drive there and pick it up?

470 27th St
Orlando, FL 32806
USA

(407) 245-8787


edit: err.. nvm about driving there. didn't know what i was saying.. lol

no need to apologize, you are 100% correct!! I called them and he said once the online order comes through, i can go pick it up, he has one in stock. You are the man!!!

[lilgreenyoda]

Yeah, that sucks man. But if it makes you feel any better, I saw this one time. Ok, so I'm cruising down the freeway right. I see this fire truck drive over the bridge over the highway. I figure, "Ay. Somebodies house is prolly on fire over there" and drive off. Next thing I know, I got a fire truck barrelling down on me. So I straight get the hell out of the way right. I look up ahead of me, and see this carbeque goin. I was like "Oh... There it is. Ok." Start driving again after the truck passed. I get up right next to this car thats on fire and the FD hadn't quite started spraying it yet. And as I'm going right past the car, no ****, goes up in a 30 foot fire ball. I was the only other car on the road at the time. So I pull over again and ask the dude if he needs a ride. He said he was good, but if you've never seen anyone that looks absolutely pissed off... there's a good one to see. Pretty sure I'd be pissed off if my car went up in a 30 foot plume of fire too.

[samir0189]

Yeah, that sucks man. But if it makes you feel any better, I saw this one time. Ok, so I'm cruising down the freeway right. I see this fire truck drive over the bridge over the highway. I figure, "Ay. Somebodies house is prolly on fire over there" and drive off. Next thing I know, I got a fire truck barrelling down on me. So I straight get the hell out of the way right. I look up ahead of me, and see this carbeque goin. I was like "Oh... There it is. Ok." Start driving again after the truck passed. I get up right next to this car thats on fire and the FD hadn't quite started spraying it yet. And as I'm going right past the car, no ****, goes up in a 30 foot fire ball. I was the only other car on the road at the time. So I pull over again and ask the dude if he needs a ride. He said he was good, but if you've never seen anyone that looks absolutely pissed off... there's a good one to see. Pretty sure I'd be pissed off if my car went up in a 30 foot plume of fire too.

ive seen a few myself, the most notable one was iirc a SUV, which had a decent amount of flames, id say 15ft high, but it caught the entire median on fire as well(pine trees,..), and it began to creep over to the sides of the road too. I passed right next to the flaming car at like 5mph, the heat was super intense, felt my contact lenses dry out instantly.

[SwissFerdi]

Sucks man....that is crazy stuff and motivation to carry a fire extinguisher.

But if you cancel the meet because of this, I'll still have to shank.

[lilgreenyoda]

Yeah, that sucks man. But if it makes you feel any better, I saw this one time. Ok, so I'm cruising down the freeway right. I see this fire truck drive over the bridge over the highway. I figure, "Ay. Somebodies house is prolly on fire over there" and drive off. Next thing I know, I got a fire truck barrelling down on me. So I straight get the hell out of the way right. I look up ahead of me, and see this carbeque goin. I was like "Oh... There it is. Ok." Start driving again after the truck passed. I get up right next to this car thats on fire and the FD hadn't quite started spraying it yet. And as I'm going right past the car, no ****, goes up in a 30 foot fire ball. I was the only other car on the road at the time. So I pull over again and ask the dude if he needs a ride. He said he was good, but if you've never seen anyone that looks absolutely pissed off... there's a good one to see. Pretty sure I'd be pissed off if my car went up in a 30 foot plume of fire too.

ive seen a few myself, the most notable one was iirc a SUV, which had a decent amount of flames, id say 15ft high, but it caught the entire median on fire as well(pine trees,..), and it began to creep over to the sides of the road too. I passed right next to the flaming car at like 5mph, the heat was super intense, felt my contact lenses dry out instantly.

Definitely. Lol but oh man. When I drove by that and it went up right next to me. That was an instantaneous "OH ****!" things. Hahaha

[nics]

anyone know if the koyo rad here http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?N=1725...4294963400+9235 it says it fits auto trans, will it fit my manual trans? it just says auto cause it has those nipple correct?


nvm i realize its not the all aluminum one anyway.


Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket rad? on the cheap?

auto and manual radiators are the almost the same except auto rads have the oil cooler lines and what i believe a lil bigger but should mount fine.

[samir0189]

WOO! she is all fixed up and running as of tonight! And the best part-- NO flames! Total repair bill is right around ~$375.

A BIG thank you to all who helped me!!! I would have never gotten her back together without the 6GC community. you guys rock.

This post has been edited by samir0189: Dec 19, 2009 - 8:24 PM

[flyinglizard]

That's great to hear. Glad it worked out and glad she is up and running. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.

[johnnehh]

I was holding off until you got it fixed...

DAYUM, THAT'S ONE HOT CELICA!

[trdproven]

instead of taking pics, I would have tried a lil harder but lucky you it was small.

[sips]

WOW.
I always have an extinguisher in my FD, but you'd expect a rotary to catch fire, not a Toyota.