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Burning it up on the Autobahn.... the D3 was really smoking.
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Andrew.w
 


Member Since: 17 Feb 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 29

Australia 2005 Discovery 4 TDV6 SE Auto Rimini RedDiscovery 4
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??? Smile











  
Post #109604429th Apr 2013 1:21 pm
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Biffysun
 


Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1786

Scotland 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Tech Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

Shocked Glad you all got out ok, let us know if the cause is identified Confused
  
Post #109605029th Apr 2013 1:31 pm
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Andrew.w
 


Member Since: 17 Feb 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 29

Australia 2005 Discovery 4 TDV6 SE Auto Rimini RedDiscovery 4

Biffysun wrote:
Shocked Glad you all got out ok, let us know if the cause is identified Confused


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
  
Post #109605829th Apr 2013 1:40 pm
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crews control
 


Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Waitomo GreyDiscovery 4

Good to hear you're all okay. Scary how quickly they go up. Shocked
  
Post #109606429th Apr 2013 1:51 pm
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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin 


Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
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Ukraine 

Shocked Shocked Scary!! Shocked Shocked
  
Post #109608129th Apr 2013 2:29 pm
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Macpic
 


Member Since: 28 Apr 2013
Location: Rambouillet
Posts: 167

France 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

I'd be fuming ! Very Happy
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
  
Post #109609029th Apr 2013 2:48 pm
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dangerdave
 


Member Since: 23 Nov 2010
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Admin note: post content removed at user request
  
Post #109609229th Apr 2013 2:51 pm
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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin 


Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72740

Ukraine 

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?

PS Here ya go: http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic30063.h...ge+%2Bfire
  
Post #109609729th Apr 2013 2:58 pm
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Garym2000
 


Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: Carlisle, Cumbria
Posts: 1398

United Kingdom 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 XS Manual Stornoway GreyDiscovery 3

Wow, what an ordeal. Glad your all safe. Interested to find out the cause.
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Post #109612429th Apr 2013 3:34 pm
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Hairy Dan
 


Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 Landmark LE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

Very scary, Shocked glad you all got out OK Thumbs Up
 Cheers Ian
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Post #109618429th Apr 2013 5:03 pm
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Dizzykebab
 


Member Since: 23 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 389

England 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

Glad to hear you and your family got out safely -very scary
  
Post #109622129th Apr 2013 5:56 pm
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Andrew.w
 


Member Since: 17 Feb 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 29

Australia 2005 Discovery 4 TDV6 SE Auto Rimini RedDiscovery 4

Macpic,
Love the sense of humour, yep good excuse to look for a newer, better, shinier one Very Happy
Its funny, Im more Censored 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
  
Post #109623929th Apr 2013 6:23 pm
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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin 


Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72740

Ukraine 

Thumbs Up it was just a thought, obvious but wrong conclusion. Embarassed Thumbs Up
  
Post #109624129th Apr 2013 6:25 pm
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Russell
 


Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564

United Kingdom 

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.
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Post #109624429th Apr 2013 6:31 pm
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geoff.
 


Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
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England 

Andrew

most important your all safe Thumbs Up

like you say the D3 can be replaced the rest doesn't even bear thinking about Sad
  
Post #109624629th Apr 2013 6:31 pm
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