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A car fire destroyed my '89 900S Saturday afternnon.
Washed the engine with engine cleaner early afternoon. There was a lot of grime around the distributor and the surrounding block. So I opened the distributor and used a tooth brush to clean it and the block of gunk. Afterward the entire engine was sprayed with water using the garden hose.
It started fine. But I didn't let it run at all. Just back it out of the drive way to park on the street and then shut the engine. Two hours later I took the car out. 500 feet from home it started to idle very rough. There was very little power. Regardless I pushed the gas pedal and kept driving. About a mile and a half from home, still running extremely rough, I shut the engine off on the side of the road. When I open the hood, I saw smoke. But it's not from the engine. Went to the back of the car. There was fire near the driver side wheel. Where the fire is from I have no idea. But My immediate reaction was to save the four 32x58 replacement windows I bought yesterday from Home Depot. So I opened the trunk and took the windows out and laid them on the sidewalk about 5 feet away.
Then I realized the fire was near the gas tank. That's when I left the smoldering SAAB alone and run to like 50 feet away. A passer by called 911. By the time three fire truck came to the scene, a not so small flame has engulfed the whole car. They didn't go near it right away, for the concern of a gas explsion. The driver side rear wheel flattened first. Then the gas tank punctured. That's when the fire fighter started to pour water and chemical on the car.
In a matter of minutes, the SAAB was gone. The cell phone lying on the passenger seat is nowhere to be found. Not even a trace. The keys on the ignotion were reduced to charred metal. My effort didn't save the windows either. Lying only five feet away, the PVC windows were reduced to a rubble of charred pile.
At 155k miles, the 900S was running fine. Just passed NJ inspection three days ago without a single problem. The body was flawless. I had it for three years. Bought at 110k miles. Planned to keep it for many more miles.
On hindsight, my own stupidity destroyed the car. My guess is water got into the system, either fuel or oil. It retarded normal engine running. By pushing the gas pedal, it forced fuel into the exhaust and the cat, resulting in the fire. If I had a fire distinguisher, it would've saved the car. Because it was a smolder to start. Strange thing was. The head lights were on after the fire was distinguished. The firemen have to cut the cable to turn off the headlights.
My first car fire experience. Hope to be my last.
posted by 24.6....
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