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Tonight my neighbor pulled out of her driveway and got about a block down the road before her car started to smoke.
She got out and turned it off, but it only got worse... we stayed away from it and called a fire truck... by the time they got there it there was a ton of black smoke and a lot of fire under the car...
It's a total write-off.
It seems weird that this would just happen for no reason...
Has anyone heard of a fire hazard recall, or anything like this happening?
She has a 1996 Toyota Camry (not sure if it's the 6cyl or 4cyl).
Honestly, this is why you need a fire extinguisher in your car. Preferably one that can tackle both chemical and electrical fires. It's not just for ricey looks.
Contrary to what you see in the movies, cars *rarely* blow up. Even if the fire reaches the gas tank, you'll just get a neat flame thrower effect. Ask any firefighter. Gasoline is not like C4.
So if the fire is not too hot as to be unbearable, you can still pop the hood and put it out before it gets too bad.
As for what started the fire...hell if I know. Those things don't just burst into flames for no good reason. The cars that are prone to fires are usually the ones that have some nasty defects. The Pontiac Fiero, for instance, had a poorly designed exhaust manifold placement and faulty rod bearings on the earlier models that could cause a fire in the engine bay.
It is possibly that some combustable materials got near something hot (like an exhaust manifold), but that would likely be more as the result of something not being maintained right or fixed wrong, rather than anything on Toyota's part. Toyota even warned GM about the issues with the Fiero, but GM ignored their pleas to do something about it.
Friggin' GM....I swear. Only Ford can manage to build a crappier car.
My Lincoln Mark VII LSC started on fire when I slammed on the brakes which caused me to burst a brake line shooting brake fluid on my header... Freak things happen..
I have no idea why the Camry burned. I saw a car get hit from the side. The full gas tank leaked and ran down the gutter. No problem until it reached the local sheriff's flare. The gas hit that flare and flashed in an instant 50 feet in the air. People 1/2 mile away saw it and came to see what happened. Sorry, I'm no help but, I couldn't resist telling that story. Mr. duputy sheriff is still employed!
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Labor rates:
$50 per hour.
$250 per hour if you worked on it first.
91's have a recall on their radio because the car can spontaneously burst into flame because of the wiring...I suppose I should get around to taking mine out.
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-Eric
1991 SV21 DX - The slow
1990 FC3S GXL - The go
Mine caught fire... I smelled an electrial fire and heard sparking. Next thing I know there's smoke around my feet.
Turns out my clutch had sawed partially thru my amp's 4ga power line and every time I pressed the clutch in it was sparking til it caught the carpet.
__________________ 06 NB tC - OG Team HAMSTER - SUPERCHARGED
Originally posted by Kensuke
Contrary to what you see in the movies, cars *rarely* blow up. Even if the fire reaches the gas tank, you'll just get a neat flame thrower effect. Ask any firefighter. Gasoline is not like C4.
So if the fire is not too hot as to be unbearable, you can still pop the hood and put it out before it gets too bad.
- John
True. Gasoline only combusts, you need pressure to create an explosion.
__________________ 06 NB tC - OG Team HAMSTER - SUPERCHARGED
How many people have had their camry's catch fire? Mine randomly burst into flames this morning at a stop sign...just trying to see if anyone knew about this. Thanks
Last edited by BLUEMEANIE; 11-23-2004 at 12:11 PM.
On the topic of spontaniously combusting cars and bad design. You've heard of the Honda CRV (or something) where the oil squirts out from around the oil filter and on to the exhuast manifold. I don't know if they've even figured out why yet.
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1999 Camry TRD S/Ced V6 MT
TRD strut and rear sway bar
...
Sold it and regretting it
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Camry fire hazard? / Camry's Catch Fire
Camry's Catch Fire
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