She's gone, up in smoke

poohbah · June 02, 2015, 11:20:39 PM

Bit in shock tonight. My pride and joy, my 156 V6 burst into flames on the way home from work tonight and is now a smouldering hulk in the towies yard. No idea what happened, just lost power as I was cruising along, I started to pull over and then I noticed the orange glow. Within 5 mins she was gone.

Garibaldi · June 03, 2015, 08:58:01 AM

Sorry to hear that. Talk about your all time bad luck.

V AR 164 · June 03, 2015, 11:06:17 AM

So sorry to hear that, are you ok?

I'm wondering about what could have happened.
Maybe a fuel line popped off, causing a lack fuel therefore a lack of power. The fuel could have then squirted over the hot exhaust manifold causing it to ignite.

Anyway sorry again,

Andrew.

poohbah · June 03, 2015, 11:50:42 AM

Cheers guys, no idea what caused it. Definitely started under the bonnet, and then spread along the fuel line.

Wasn't anything I could do to stop it. Best car I've ever owned. And one that over the last 3 years I've progressively replaced most key bits from suspension, through brakes, exhaust and so on like repainting the Harbour Bridge.

Just hope the insurers pay a fair price - I could only find one other private sale V6 in WA as a comparison, so I fear they will try and low ball me.

On the upside, I'm already excited about getting a replacement. Looking for something slightly older - a 75 3.0L maybe. But not many of them around either.

Evan Bottcher · June 03, 2015, 02:57:12 PM

My commiserations :-(

Alway Look For Another.

poohbah · June 03, 2015, 08:23:45 PM

Cheers Evan. Will be checking out a tidy sounding 81 GTV on Saturday. Would prefer a GTV6, but getting hard to find.

The 75 3.0L I had my eye on is no longer available. Bugger!

Here's a pic of my former love, being loaded up and taken away.

colcol · June 03, 2015, 08:26:09 PM

Next car, have a fire extinguisher on board, have seen a few burnt V-6 motors in wrecking yards.
Also, seen a few JTS, 156's burnt out in wrecking yards...apparantly, they run the fuel injection at high pressure, always good to have agreed value with your insurance company, so they don't give you an unrealistic low price.
When i applied for insurance for the 156, they asked, had i ever claimed for a burnt out car, as it stays on your record, Colin.

poohbah · June 03, 2015, 08:40:49 PM

Good advice Col. Though even if I'd had one yesterday, it would have been too little, too late. Took the firies about 4 attempts to put it out - kept on reigniting.

Kulwinder · June 03, 2015, 09:55:55 PM

Sad.

Kulwinder Singh

Paul Gulliver · June 04, 2015, 08:39:18 AM

Very sad. Just one thing , how did the bonnet manage to come off the hinges at the fire wall and become front hinged on the locking mechanism , explosion ??

Jekyll and Hyde · June 04, 2015, 04:56:39 PM

Quote from: Paul Gulliver on June 04, 2015, 08:39:18 AM
Very sad. Just one thing , how did the bonnet manage to come off the hinges at the fire wall and become front hinged on the locking mechanism , explosion ??

I would be guessing fire brigade. The bonnet cable would probably have melted and jammed... assuming they even bothered trying to open it normally.

stustustu123 · June 04, 2015, 09:41:53 PM

Oh no, I really feel for you as I had a similar incident with my 24v 164 a few months ago. Also fuel rail related but didn't get into my car luckily, and only destroyed plastics and wiring as fire never really took off. Anyway, I've decided to attempt to repair my car when time & budget (& wife) allow so it's sitting in my shed. Hope your insurance co treats you well (I was with Shannons) & somehow you end up with a nice replacement.

V AR 164 · June 04, 2015, 10:28:35 PM

Hi stustu,

What happened with your 164? Is it a common fault and if so can it be prevented?
Don't want my 164 burning to the ground either 😟

Thanks, Andrew.

Craig_m67 · June 05, 2015, 09:06:36 AM

Less an Alfa V6 issue and more an age of any vehicle that uses fuel, especially one with a high pressure fuel rail... That said ever seen a kombi burn, it's impressive.

It's more probable the older any car gets and the less maintenance or checks it has. Go open the bonnet and check the fuel lines, rails, connectors etc., cheap and easy peace of mind. If they look frayed, weepy, nicked, dodgy in anyway - get them replaced.

poohbah · June 05, 2015, 12:17:23 PM

Quote from: Craig_m67 on June 05, 2015, 09:06:36 AM
Less an Alfa V6 issue and more an age of any vehicle that uses fuel, especially one with a high pressure fuel rail. It's more probable the older any car gets and the less maintenance or checks it has.

Coincidentally, I had just that morning booked it in for its regular 6 monthly service, and 3 year cam-belt change (I have always followed the recommended maintenance schedule very closely). Would have been in the workshop next Tuesday. Missed it by that much...

No point crying about it now - I'm checking out an 81 GTV tomorrow!