View Full Version : Fire! My 2005 V Caught On Fire!
cchoi112 10-13-05, 05:31 PM So yesterday I was driving through Chinatown in Los Angeles around 5:30PM. As you can only imagine, there are hundreds of people on the street, and even more cars on the road. It's typical local gridlock in LA.
I'm waiting in a line of traffic, idleing in neutral, when smoke begins to seep through the hood. I think "oh crap" and hit the OnStar button. As I'm speaking to the operator, suddenly I see flames. The fire went strong for about 10 minutes, there's a hole in my hood that probably measures 5 square feet, and everything under the hood is toast. Smelted down to one big black block.
Anybody else have similar problems with this car or cars previous?
Thanks...
holy crap, did they figure out what happened?
1badcady 10-13-05, 05:39 PM Dude,
thats some serious sht, hope your OK! the car can always be replaced!
keep us posted when you get the autopsy back. Thats why we have insurance,
just in case sht happens, keep cool!
Ghost-V 10-13-05, 05:40 PM Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
GOTTSPD 10-13-05, 05:49 PM Never had an engine catch on fire, but I've seen it on an Audi and a Jeep. Both had the same thing as you described... driving along and then smoke/flames. In the Audi I believe it was a gas line that broke and gas landed on the exhaust manifold causing the fire. No idea about the Jeep (a new Grand Cherokee - though it happened several years back).
Nevertheless, that totally sucks! Glad no one was hurt. Hope you hadn't mod'd your car so that you don't lose any more $.
urbanski 10-13-05, 05:51 PM pics required
edit: have heard of C6s with headers burning...header too close to the hydraulic clutch cable
AmesCTS-V 10-13-05, 05:59 PM We definately need some pics on this one.
BowenCT 10-13-05, 06:05 PM Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
Need pics!
What he said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
V-seriesTech 10-13-05, 06:10 PM So yesterday I was driving through Chinatown in Los Angeles around 5:30PM. As you can only imagine, there are hundreds of people on the street, and even more cars on the road. It's typical local gridlock in LA.
I'm waiting in a line of traffic, idleing in neutral, when smoke begins to seep through the hood. I think "oh crap" and hit the OnStar button. As I'm speaking to the operator, suddenly I see flames. The fire went strong for about 10 minutes, there's a hole in my hood that probably measures 5 square feet, and everything under the hood is toast. Smelted down to one big black block.
Anybody else have similar problems with this car or cars previous?
Thanks...
Wow man. All stock?...any aftermarket accesories...anything speaker/system wise?
If all stock.......that sucks.
Texan V 10-13-05, 06:50 PM lemme guess, you didn't have the recalled fuel feed jumper replaced?
lemme guess, you didn't have the recalled fuel feed jumper replaced?
What recalled fuel feed jumper????
Texan V 10-13-05, 07:24 PM What recalled fuel feed jumper????
http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/tsb/data/04068.pdf
Smokin' 04 CTS 10-13-05, 07:46 PM that sucks!!, maybe you could use the ins $$ to upgrade to a 6.0L :lildevil:
lawfive 10-13-05, 07:52 PM :eek:
Note to self: buy fire extinguisher.
6104696 10-13-05, 08:12 PM :eek:
Note to self: buy fire extinguisher.
Years ago I was a passenger in a friends car. We drive past a car, stopped, with a fire under the hood (broad daylight). Hood is up, the driver and a passenger standing a few feet away watching it burn. Fire was not too far along. My friend stops his car, jumps out, grabs a fire extinguisher from his trunk, runs up and puts out the fire, thus making the car repairable. I thought that they were going to absolutely freaking kill him.
OldRoadDawg 10-13-05, 08:53 PM My .02 . . . hope your insurance co. totals your V, cuz trying to repair all the underhood damage will be futile. You will always have problems and stuff not working right. I say that from my personal experience from putting the fire out on a Fix Or Repair Daily. I've learned to just walk away and let it burn to the ground.
barry007 10-13-05, 08:59 PM sorry to hear about that...one down 2499 2005's to go (don't know how many '05's were produced)
i can hear the dealer now...sorry but this is not covered as you did not use the stock factory fuel and your tire pressure was set using a non-factory air compressor.
b
rand49er 10-13-05, 09:07 PM Wow man. All stock?...any aftermarket accesories...anything speaker/system wise?
If all stock.......that sucks.
:yeah:
bobwhat 10-13-05, 10:02 PM My very first Mod. No CAI, no Cags, no Corsa. "A Fire Extinguser" Think Saftey and the rest will follow! (I have a picture to post but for some reason I'm internet unfriendly today) any help on picture posting?
On the post reply window, you'll want to select 'manage attachments' which will bring up a window where you can 'browse' your local directories for the picture(s) and then 'upload'.....
I checked the TSB, thankfully my V isn't within the 'range', I would be interest to know if yours is....
bobwhat 10-13-05, 10:40 PM Simple install that does not get in the way of your passenger and you can reach it in a pinch! I've needed one in the past and I will never be caught with my pants down again!
Simple install that does not get in the way of your passenger and you can reach it in a pinch! I've needed one in the past and I will never be caught with my pants down again!
Next time your car catches on fire,
RUN AWAY SCREAMING LIKE A GIRL! :getaway:
cchoi112 10-14-05, 02:52 AM Unfortunately, my phone crapped out on me today, so no pics. However, if it's still at the dealership when I pay them a visit, I will take many many pics and post them all.
So now the question is...what car to buy next???
It's quite difficult. If I totalled a Camry, I could opt for an Accord or a Maxima. Wreck an Explorer? How 'bout a Tahoe, 4Runner or Pathfinder?
I've decided that the V has no equal in terms of what it offers in performance, luxury, style, practicality, at $50k.
With that in mind, I was thinking about the '06V, Audi S4 and that's about it.
Texan V 10-14-05, 05:50 AM If I were replacing my V today, I would likely go with the new 06 Infinity M45 w/ sport package. Hands down the finest interior out imo. All voice controlled gadgets, push button start, bluetooth, A/C seats, reverse camera, 4 wheel stearing etc. Pretty decent specs, only prob is that it's an auto trans.
Get a used Porsche C4S. That's what I'd do anyway http://cadillacforums.com/forums/images/smilies/highfive.gif
tedcmiller 10-14-05, 08:25 AM The recall on the fuel pipe indicates that there is a problem with meeting emission specs. There is no mention of any problems with breakage resulting in a significant loss of fuel. Under the circumstances, it seems unlikely that the problem was caused by not having the fuel pipe replaced. In the worst case, the lack of an adequate emissions barrier in the pipe might mean that there could be some excessive fuel vapors present, but that should not cause a fire. However, even though there is no obvious direct connection, I could see GM trying to make a case for not honoring the warranty if the fuel pipe has not been replaced.
I'm patiently waiting for pics. Since I had my maggie installed, I've smelled plastic or rubber burning sometimes. I don't know if its that pulley that's way back by the firewall that might be rubbing on the fat wire harness or just the belt getting worn out. When I open my hood, I see all this black powder all over the supercharger and my guess is the serpentine belt is just wearing out.
Either way, your fire was not caused by a supercharger so that has me wondering if maybe it's not my supercharger and something else. Let's get those pics up so we can have our CTS-V CSI team investigate the cause. ;)
I had a fire in my Quad4 Grand Am back in 1991. The ins. co would only pay for the 'damage caused by the fire', not the part that actually caused it. They were seeing it as electrical fire and it melted the wires all the way to the guages from the engine compartment, they wanted me to foot the bill about $2500 for the replacement of the complete harness. I ripped that whole thing apart and found a split fuel line (which was replaced once under recall), brought it to them and they had to ante up the whole bill now only minus the cost of the fuel line.
CaddyGeek 10-14-05, 03:33 PM 1991 Grand-AM... hmmm
I had a 1992 Grand-Prix with the 3.4 V6... anyway, I start the car one cold morning to defrost the winshield and go back in the house to grab my stuff. I come back outside and the car is smoking. I open the hood only to see flames! I shut the car off, run back inside and grab a fire extinguisher. I put the fire out and call the dealer to come get the car. As I wait for the truck I see the shredded and charred remains of a squirrel. I had gotten home pretty late the night before and apparently he crawled into the engine compartment to keep warm and make a snack out of some plug wires. :cookoo: I don't remember how much it was to fix (happened in the winter of 92'), but it was covered under our home owner's policy. Took about 2 weeks to fix the car. The-End.
cchoi112 10-14-05, 05:01 PM Dooman...was your car under warranty at the time of the fire? I can see the logic behind the insurance company only wanting to pay for the parts damaged by the fire, but shouldn't Pontiac (or in this case, Cadillac) warranty the components that caused the fire?
bobwhat 10-14-05, 05:10 PM Next time your car catches on fire,
RUN AWAY SCREAMING LIKE A GIRL! :getaway:
And when its your car on fire with your baby seat filled should I run away screaming like a girl. No I'll just stand on the curb holding my fire ext. laughing at your ignorance and watch you screaming to have someone help you to save your family! No, I would help you despite your being an ass. Way to go friend, really funny subject! :thumbsup:
Dennisscars 10-14-05, 05:47 PM I'm patiently waiting for pics. Since I had my maggie installed, I've smelled plastic or rubber burning sometimes. I don't know if its that pulley that's way back by the firewall that might be rubbing on the fat wire harness or just the belt getting worn out. When I open my hood, I see all this black powder all over the supercharger and my guess is the serpentine belt is just wearing out.
Velose, I would check really soon to see if you are rubbing the fat harness, I don't have any dust in the back of mine or smell. I remember that fat harness not being too happy about getting moved. Cutting that harness would be major bad and not covered under manufacturer warranty, maybe by the installers shop install warranty, but a big hassle none the less. That is suppose to be a 100k belt. Check to see if it may be hitting when the motor torques up.
Man that really sucks!!! I hope your insurance gets you a new V with no questions asked. Maybe this is why all those rice rockets come with a coupon for a free fire extinguser????? They might not be crazy after all :cookoo: .
-Sean
You got my attention!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Red-Anodized-Finish-APC-Fire-Extinguisher-Compact-New_W0QQitemZ8006462461QQcategoryZ33722QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem
azombie 10-15-05, 12:36 AM some would say you are a moron for putting a baby in a car with 400hp to begin with but whatever
heavymetals 10-15-05, 12:46 AM Velose, that is not normal.:(
You have something rubbing.:eek:
Can you take some pics?
Open the hood and turn on the wipers and see if the linkage is rubbing or hitting the rear belt .
Dooman...was your car under warranty at the time of the fire? I can see the logic behind the insurance company only wanting to pay for the parts damaged by the fire, but shouldn't Pontiac (or in this case, Cadillac) warranty the components that caused the fire?
It was under warranty. I had it towed right to a Pontiac dealer that night and they denied any coverage, claimed it an electrical fire and sent me packing. I was only 19 at the time and maybe now I would have fought more. By the time it got fixed, it took 3 months. I tried everything at the time.
turbojimmy 10-15-05, 06:32 AM some would say you are a moron for putting a baby in a car with 400hp to begin with but whatever
Oh come on. I put my kids' car seats in the GN all the time. It's not about how much HP the car has, it's about how the driver uses it. With kids or other people in the car I drive it like my minivan.
A fire extinguisher should be the first mod anyone makes. I keep mine in the trunk, which isn't the most convenient place in the event of a fire but I don't want to have to look at it. I've never had to use the one in the GN (knock on wood) but I did have to use the one in my Mustang. Evidently when Ford alternators go bad they sometimes create a dead short. The wiring caught fire, and the oily crud on the engine caught fire. I got to it quick enough to save my $3k blower and other mods. Just had to replace some wiring.
I hope the original poster's V was stock. Otherwise they may give you a hard time with covering the damage.
Jim
urbanski 10-15-05, 06:46 AM some would say you are a moron for putting a baby in a car with 400hp to begin with but whatever
what?
...
Barring sheer driver stupidity you really think that since it has 400HP it is more likely to crash than a Prius? How about the safety features Cadillac provides for your $50,000....they get negated by the LS6? So what's the back seat for? How about the STS-V gang with 460HP, they're worse morons for putting **gasp** their family in the car with them? I mean holy cow that's just a retarded statement....
bobwhat 10-15-05, 09:28 AM I truly cannot believe you ass wipes that think this is somehow funny or a good reason to buy a new car. Just look at your own family burning in a car and then post some kind of smart ass remark. UN F==ing believable!!
Last car fire I saw was back in late 2003; it was a 2004 Pontiac GTP being demo'd by the service manager for Bob Anderson Pontiac in Crown Point, IN. He was driving along and all of a sudden the cabin filled with smoke; he pulled over to the side of the road and watched her cook. Once they got it back to the shop, a tech found the Monsoon amp in the trunk had overheated; GM flatbedded it back to Detroit for teardown. It was a pretty impressive sight to see; everything back of the hood was toast.
I wonder if they'll do the same for your V. I sure as hell would want to know exactly what happened. And we need pics!
RobertCTS 10-15-05, 10:29 AM That's a terrible thing to watch your V burn. If it helps here's a better thought. A BMW.
http://www.grahamowen.com/images4/5-8-fire1.jpg
I~LUV~Caddys8792 10-15-05, 10:44 AM My best friends coworker had a 90 Sedan deVille, It burned, the fire started in the engine bay, they think it was a fuel line or something. Anyways, after I heard this, i got really nervous about my car.
And when its your car on fire with your baby seat filled should I run away screaming like a girl. No I'll just stand on the curb holding my fire ext. laughing at your ignorance and watch you screaming to have someone help you to save your family! No, I would help you despite your being an ass. Way to go friend, really funny subject!
I truly cannot believe you ass wipes that think this is somehow funny or a good reason to buy a new car. Just look at your own family burning in a car and then post some kind of smart ass remark. UN F==ing believable!!
If anyone is an ass wipe, it's you for bringing your mental complex to this forum.
Dennisscars 10-15-05, 11:58 AM well, we're back to bunnies...
This going to be Green acres pretty soon...
http://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/small-animal-pictures-breeders-babies/lionhead-rabbit-pictures-breeders-babies/pictures/lionhead-rabbit-0015.jpg
urbanski 10-15-05, 11:58 AM I truly cannot believe you ass wipes that think this is somehow funny or a good reason to buy a new car. Just look at your own family burning in a car and then post some kind of smart ass remark. UN F==ing believable!!
how's that?
who or what set you off to post this? and why did you decide to derail a thread about an unfortunate V owner by calling people ass wipes?
urbanski 10-15-05, 12:00 PM yep we're back to BUNNIES
http://i4.cashmoneyuploads.com/img/bunny-2273.jpg (http://www.cashmoneyuploads.com/)
RobertCTS 10-15-05, 12:02 PM No one was hurt thank God. I'm sure the V was destroyed by insurance standards. No one is making fun over a serious occurrence but simply trying to bring cheer to a sad situation. To think otherwise would be an extremism.
yep we're back to BUNNIES
http://i4.cashmoneyuploads.com/img/bunny-2273.jpg (http://www.cashmoneyuploads.com/)
How dare you post a picture of a bunny. Have you no soul!? My entire family was wiped out by a rabid pack of bunnies wielding pick axes and pez dispensers. Imagine the horror of watching my family torn to pieces by these furry bucked toothed demons. Damn you Urby, damn you straight to hell!
urbanski 10-15-05, 04:18 PM How dare you post a picture of a bunny. Have you no soul!? My entire family was wiped out by a rabid pack of bunnies wielding pick axes and pez dispensers. Imagine the horror of watching my family torn to pieces by these furry bucked toothed demons. Damn you Urby, damn you straight to hell!
lol monty python :D
I~LUV~Caddys8792 10-15-05, 04:37 PM Ditto:yeah:
I truly cannot believe you ass wipes that think this is somehow funny or a good reason to buy a new car. Just look at your own family burning in a car and then post some kind of smart ass remark. UN F==ing believable!!
HUH?
Are there some invisible demons in this thread that only you can see? What is up with that outburst?
:alchi:
I would launch into a lengthy flame, but its dinner time and my wife is serving her world famous bunny and pancakes platter. Gotta go.
urbanski 10-15-05, 07:37 PM yummy...bunny pancakes :cloud9:
Laugh all you want. One day they will come for you. One day they will come for us all. :nono:
Looks like I opened the flood gates!:devilheh:
DDS rollin a CTS 10-16-05, 03:27 AM images/misc/quotes/quot-top-left.gif Quote: images/misc/quotes/quot-top-right.gif
images/misc/quotes/quot-by-left.gif Originally Posted by urbanski images/misc/quotes/quot-by-right.gif
images/misc/quotes/quot-top-right-10.gif
yep we're back to BUNNIES
http://i4.cashmoneyuploads.com/img/bunny-2273.jpg (http://www.cashmoneyuploads.com/)
images/misc/quotes/quot-bot-left.gif
images/misc/quotes/quot-bot-right.gif
How dare you post a picture of a bunny. Have you no soul!? My entire family was wiped out by a rabid pack of bunnies wielding pick axes and pez dispensers. Imagine the horror of watching my family torn to pieces by these furry bucked toothed demons. Damn you Urby, damn you straight to hell!
__________________
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14519
OH MY GOD, THIS IS THE FUNNIEST S*** EVER!!!:rofl:
On a related note, my dad used to keep a fire extinguisher on the floor in the back seat of his car. When I was a teenager I borrowed his car for a date one night and we ended up engaging in some "backseat olympics" :eyebrow:. Things were getting spirited and the extinguisher was kicked or something, causing it to discharge it's ENTIRE contents (which did a very effective job of extinguishing the evenings passions). I dont remember what story I made up to explain how the extinguisher went off, but I do remember my parents didnt buy one bit of it. My punishment was having the pleasure of cleaning and re-cleaning the entire interior by hand until it was completely free of dust. I'm telling you, that s*** gets EVERYWHERE! I remember finally thinking I had cleaned everything, only to have my dad come out and turn on the a/c and radio - dust was flying out of the air vents and grills over the speakers!
Dennisscars 10-16-05, 10:49 AM How dare you post a picture of a bunny. Have you no soul!? My entire family was wiped out by a rabid pack of bunnies wielding pick axes and pez dispensers. Imagine the horror of watching my family torn to pieces by these furry bucked toothed demons. Damn you Urby, damn you straight to hell!
So it IS true!?! I thought it was only a myth, the thing of garage sales and bar bets. Sorry man..
http://junior.apk.net/%7Emnovak/jackalopes/pics/lope20.jpg
Dennisscars 10-16-05, 10:51 AM Laugh all you want. One day they will come for you. One day they will come for us all. :nono:
AHHHHH!! they are doing a google search on us all!!!!!!! or maybe it's just bunny porn...
http://junior.apk.net/%7Emnovak/jackalopes/pics/lope26.jpg
AHHHHH!! they are doing a google search on us all!!!!!!!
http://junior.apk.net/%7Emnovak/jackalopes/pics/lope26.jpg
You guys need serious help!!:histeric:
Harley Guy 10-16-05, 11:33 AM Wait a minute.... Wait a minute. The situation in this tread is very serious, we all agree. However, everyone got out OK. Only "stuff" was damages. It is kind of an American tradition to make lite of this type event after the smoke clears (sorry I could not resist) and evryone is OK. Lets lighten up, learn from the situation and yes, maby have a laugh or two.:yup:
Dennisscars 10-16-05, 11:57 AM Agreed, since it’s “only stuff” it is precisely the reason it can be made fun of.
Plus the bunnies/kitties are Urby’s antidote to wildfires and we all feel obligated to pitch in. So think of urbanski as the Sikorsky helicopter dropping fire retardant on a wild fire rapidly approaching a car lot of V's…:D
urbanski 10-16-05, 12:35 PM Agreed, since it’s “only stuff” it is precisely the reason it can be made fun of.
Plus the bunnies/kitties are Urby’s antidote to wildfires and we all feel obligated to pitch in. So think of urbanski as the Sikorsky helicopter dropping fire retardant on a wild fire rapidly approaching a car lot of V's…:D
http://i4.cashmoneyuploads.com/img/orly_owl146.jpg (http://www.cashmoneyuploads.com/)
:histeric: Stop it! Just stop it!:histeric:
Denisscars and Heavymetals,
I'll post some pics this week. The car currently sits in the garage taking a break. I drove it for a month while putting some serious miles and boost abuse. However, I did notice the screws to those clamps that tighten the air intake to the throttle body, are on top and rub against the pad under the hood. That is why I see that black powder. Either way, I'll take some pics of the harness and the powder I'm talking about.
If the car did have an electrical problem because of the pulley melting or slicing through the harness, the dealer would still cover it. They installed my "Maggie." ;)
Dennisscars 10-16-05, 11:26 PM Velose,
Mine did too even though I had the worm gear to the side. The forward clamp band still rubbed the hood liner but not through. If the dealer put the worm gear on top I would ask for a new hood liner.
One advantage to the dealer installing things is that you shouldn't have the usual urinating contest on who did what.
http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/img/maggie/4.jpg
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