Member Since: 17 Feb 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 29
Burning it up on the Autobahn.... the D3 was really smoking.
Our weekend…….
The Discovery has just had it 2 yearly roadworthy inspection done last month, in conjunction with new back brakes, new tie rods and tie rod ends, and a handful of minor things to keep the inspector happy. It was running well, and were looking forward to our upcoming road trips to the UK in May and the Nordic countries over summer.
Yesterday we travelled to Munich for the day, we were trailing the new car fridge for the first time, at had a great picnic lunch, even though the English weather was persistent it didn’t rain at least!
After a good day in Munich we were driving home along the Autobahn at about 160 kmh, and we were about 60 km from home when I noticed what looked like a haze behind the car. I checked the side mirrors and I could see a trail of smoke behind us, I quickly pulled over to the side of the road just as smoke was starting to enter the front of the cabin from under the dashboard.
We told the kids to grab their jackets, and leave everything else behind. We exited the car quickly and moved some 200m behind it, and then further back. Another car had pulled over in front of us and the driver come over to see if we needed any help – we said yes of course!!. It turned out this guy was a rescue service coordinater, and he quickly informed the Feurwehr and Polizei (Fire brigade and Police). Within a few minutes smoke was billowing out of the car and we spotted flames under the car. The fire had burnt through part of the cooling system and the spilled coolant put out the initial fire under the car. A few minutes later there was flames peering above the roofline.
The Fire fighters arrived in quick time, probably about 8-10 minutes after we stopped the car, and spent the next 20-30 minutes dousing the car with foam.
All up I think the kids counted 6 fire vehicles, 1 police helicopter, 1 police car, 1 rescue service coordinator, and some 20-25 emergency workers.
After the car was secured we were able to go and have a closer look and salvage what was left in the car. We were able to recover most of our stuff from the car although it now stinks of an acrid burnt electrical/plastic smell.
My wife asked the tilt-tray driver how often he picks up burnt cars, which he replied that an hour or so earlier he had picked up a Bentley Cabrio that had caught fire on the Autobahn too – they cost 200,000 Euro (ouch).
We are all ok, a bit shaken by the ordeal, but not hurt at all, not so happy to see our car go up in smoke, but such is life.
Now comes the fun part – dealing with insurance, and searching for a replacement Disco.
So how was your weekend???
29th Apr 2013 1:21 pm
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1790
Glad you all got out ok, let us know if the cause is identified
29th Apr 2013 1:31 pm
Andrew.w
Member Since: 17 Feb 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 29
Biffysun wrote:
Glad you all got out ok, let us know if the cause is identified
Ill be interested if they can find the cause. Ill certainly post it if/when I find out.
It is frightening just how quick the fire spread.
The car is replaceable, the cargo is not.
Kids were a bit shaken initally, but then more entranced with all the activity from the fire crew and police.
Andrew
29th Apr 2013 1:40 pm
crews control
Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
Good to hear you're all okay. Scary how quickly they go up.
29th Apr 2013 1:51 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73125
Scary!!
29th Apr 2013 2:29 pm
Macpic
Member Since: 28 Apr 2013
Location: Rambouillet
Posts: 167
I'd be fuming !
No, joking set aside, material damage is not important ; just a fantastic occasion to get a new one as you said !
Good to know everyone is safe
29th Apr 2013 2:48 pm
dangerdave
Member Since: 23 Nov 2010
Location: <>
Posts: 4495
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29th Apr 2013 2:51 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73125
ISTR a good few years ago an Aussie D3 caught fire & was completely burnt out. If memory serves me right it was down to the fridge in the boot that was jammed in with bags and clothes. That meant the fridge couldn't loose heat and was drawing more and more current trying to kerp to temp to the point the wires caught light and set the car alight. Reason I thought of this is that you were driving with a new fridge. Is that the cubby box type or Engel/ARB type?
Wow, what an ordeal. Glad your all safe. Interested to find out the cause.Club N.E.R.D's
Narpy Grill Mod
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29th Apr 2013 3:34 pm
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
Very scary, glad you all got out OK Cheers Ian
--------------------
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29th Apr 2013 5:03 pm
Dizzykebab
Member Since: 23 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 389
Glad to hear you and your family got out safely -very scary
29th Apr 2013 5:56 pm
Andrew.w
Member Since: 17 Feb 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 29
Macpic,
Love the sense of humour, yep good excuse to look for a newer, better, shinier one
Its funny, Im more about loosing the car today that I was yesterday watching it burn.
DSL,
I am aware of the Aussie D3 that went up in smoke too. My fridge is a Waeco, it was plugged it but wasnt turned on for the trip home.
The back of the car was pretty much empty, my son was sitting in the rear seat next to the fridge, with a shopping bag of supplies behind his seat. The fridge was not packed in.
Insurance assessor should be looking at the car tomorrow - hopefully he is able to shed some light on the cause.
Ill post any updates to the forum.
Thanks for the well wishes.
Ive already talked to the boss about getting a Defender, but SWMBO just wont have a bar of it - so another Disco it is.
Andrew
29th Apr 2013 6:23 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73125
it was just a thought, obvious but wrong conclusion.
29th Apr 2013 6:25 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Just been out to put a VW Golf diesel out, Fire started after the turbo let go and damaged an oil pipe which sprayed onto exhaust manifold, Car was doing about 50 at the time and went up quick, we were there within 4 minutes of the call. Will post a couple of pictures later.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
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29th Apr 2013 6:31 pm
geoff.
Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
Location: West kent
Posts: 8531
Andrew
most important your all safe
like you say the D3 can be replaced the rest doesn't even bear thinking about
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Glad you all got out ok, let us know if the cause is identified 
about loosing the car today that I was yesterday watching it burn.
