LAX Area Meet (Part II).
Thread Starter
503wtq Boosted Bimmer
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Los Angeles, California
As some of you may already know, I just had a new engine installed. (about 400 miles ago)
I was driving about 70 mph on the 405N going home from work yesterday around 6pm. I hear a loud BOOM and quickly look behind me thinking I blew a tire. To my surprise, I see cars serving to avoid the smoke and crap coming from my car. As I turned back around I glanced down at the gauge cluster and notice my power steering light is on, then the abs light comes on, and finally the check engine light comes on. I lifted my head to look at the front window, and noticed flames, not little flames, massive flames coming from the where the hood seals to the fender and from the wheel wells.
At this point I started to merge off the freeway and head towards the off ramp. Smoke started poring out of the A/C vents and and made it hard to see and breath. By this time I couldn't roll down the windows and the power steering went dead. I cracked open the door to let some air in. (I'm still doing about 45 mph) After making it almost to the off ramp the breaks went out and I had to use the parking break to stop the car. (It's been about 20 seconds from the boom)
I jumped out of the car and called 911. Some motorist came running up with a fire extinguisher. Using my shirt I was able to open the hood while he muffled the flames until the fire truck came. My shirt burned up. The firemen finished the fire off with their trucks.
The fire totaled the car in less than a minute. If that motorist didn't help me, the car would have melted to the ground. As I looked back at the off ramp I could see a trail where the car was leaking fuel and scorched the payment.
I was driving about 70 mph on the 405N going home from work yesterday around 6pm. I hear a loud BOOM and quickly look behind me thinking I blew a tire. To my surprise, I see cars serving to avoid the smoke and crap coming from my car. As I turned back around I glanced down at the gauge cluster and notice my power steering light is on, then the abs light comes on, and finally the check engine light comes on. I lifted my head to look at the front window, and noticed flames, not little flames, massive flames coming from the where the hood seals to the fender and from the wheel wells.
At this point I started to merge off the freeway and head towards the off ramp. Smoke started poring out of the A/C vents and and made it hard to see and breath. By this time I couldn't roll down the windows and the power steering went dead. I cracked open the door to let some air in. (I'm still doing about 45 mph) After making it almost to the off ramp the breaks went out and I had to use the parking break to stop the car. (It's been about 20 seconds from the boom)
I jumped out of the car and called 911. Some motorist came running up with a fire extinguisher. Using my shirt I was able to open the hood while he muffled the flames until the fire truck came. My shirt burned up. The firemen finished the fire off with their trucks.
The fire totaled the car in less than a minute. If that motorist didn't help me, the car would have melted to the ground. As I looked back at the off ramp I could see a trail where the car was leaking fuel and scorched the payment.
Last edited by Rotary Rasp; Jul 30, 2008 at 05:49 PM.
Holy crap!
幹他媽!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 3
From: San Gabriel Valley, CA
holy crap rodger. at least you're ok and didn't get hurt. really sorry to hear about your car though. insurance ought to take care of it tho... (new 2009 R3 on the horizon?) what engine mods did u have and did u figure out what might've caused it?
Last edited by Detrich; Jul 30, 2008 at 06:35 PM.
T-29 years and counting
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: North Fontana, CA.
WOW, I MEAN WOW! that sucks roger, I would have to think that mazda did something wrong when they reinstalled the new engine they should have full responsibility. But more to the point we are all glad you are alright. It sounds like it was quite a feat to do what you did safely.
Thread Starter
503wtq Boosted Bimmer
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,038
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From: Los Angeles, California
My pistons are sideways
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
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The amount of damage that fire did isn't completely visible. It scorched the underside of the car all the way to the rear. There was melted plastic from the REAR bumper hanging down a good 10 inches. It melted one of the rear endlinks and swaybar bushings. One of the rear struts was partially melted....the axel boot was shredded. It's really sad. 
