Fire

[kettlesimon]

Bit of a disaster this morning. Driving to work, no problem, then suddenly warning message said Serious Suspension Fault. Pulled car straight over. By the time car was stopped smoke billowing from under the bonnet. Opened it and within a minute flames were jumping from the area behind the offside headlight. Luckily i had a fire extingher to hand and put the flames out before it caught hold to badly. Still alot of damage in that area, with the wiring melted and other plastics damaged. car was recovered and now with a garage to assess damage. Anyone had anything similar in the past ?

[Xaccers]

Thank goodness you are safe.
What car was it?

[charentejohn]

Just thinking that, at least nothing serious behind there ?
If only lighting wiring should be repairable without too much trouble, 10/10 for carrying a fire extinguisher.
One of those things we all mean to do but don't. I should as an ex-electrician I know that it is not easy to put out an electrical fire and these are most likey type to occur in cars ?

[Northern_Mike]

I was a Fire Warden in our office back in the nineties, when training included playing with various fires in the car park and various extinguishers. Great fun. I did ask the one of the Firemen who was conducting the training what steps I should take with an underbonnet fire.

"....ing great big ones, in the other direction, and call us" was his reply.

On the one occasion that I thought I might be on fire since, I've heeded his advice.

[myglaren]

Sounds like the suspension pump motor has burned out and probably ignited the LDS in the reservoir above it

[Xaccers]

Sounds like the suspension pump motor has burned out and probably ignited the LDS in the reservoir above it

That reminds me of an old Top Gear episode (back when it was worth watching) where they were showing that many engine fires were caused by brake fluid spilling onto a hot engine and igniting, which they demonstrated by a fireman with a cup on the end of a long pole pouring the brake fluid onto a hot engine.
They then poured LHM onto the flames which extinguished them.
So LDS must be what they call "progress"

[kettlesimon]

Car is a 2004 C5 2.0 HDI

[citronut]

Sounds like the suspension pump motor has burned out and probably ignited the LDS in the reservoir above it

That reminds me of an old Top Gear episode (back when it was worth watching) where they were showing that many engine fires were caused by brake fluid spilling onto a hot engine and igniting, which they demonstrated by a fireman with a cup on the end of a long pole pouring the brake fluid onto a hot engine.
They then poured LHM onto the flames which extinguished them.
So LDS must be what they call "progress"

i have had spurts of flames spiting from the ends of brake/hydraulic pipes whilst warming flare nuts to get them moving, this has been with brake fluid and citro blooded cars

[kettlesimon]

Any ideas on sourcing, a reasonably priced, suspension pump if that turns out to be a problem.

[myglaren]

Someone is breaking a C5 in the For Sale & Wanted forum.

[Xaccers]

i have had spurts of flames spiting from the ends of brake/hydraulic pipes whilst warming flare nuts to get them moving, this has been with brake fluid and citro blooded cars

Using a blow torch which is already alight and gets a heck of a lot hotter than an exhaust manifold I would imagine.

[CitroJim]

Yes, I've had LHM burn very nicely at the end of a blowtorch admittedly... Sadly not with a green flame...

A burning pump motor can produce plenty of heat and enough to ignite oil I'm sure...

[horsedentist]

Someone is breaking a C5 in the For Sale & Wanted forum.

That would be me!

[DickieG]

I was a Fire Warden in our office

I notice that you didn't wear glasses in those days Mike

[Citroenmad]

Well, i'm glad that is not a common problem!

Im glad your ok and the car hopefully repairable, lucky that you carry a fire extinguisher.

Any ideas on sourcing, a reasonably priced, suspension pump if that turns out to be a problem.

The breakers in Peterlee had/have three first generation C5s in, you should find one there.