I took the mini out today to get some parts for my daily driver. About 10 k's from home I could smell something burning and this is what I was left with.







I am so lucky that a fire extinguisher was the first thing I bought after buying this car, hope this is a lesson for everyone. I am sure there is nothing worse than standing by while your pride a joy burns to the ground. Also a big thanks to the RACQ guys that towed the car home, I really appreciate their effort.

Lucky!
But what was the cause of the fire can you tell us?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

not 100% sure on the cause yet I will pull it apart tomorrow for a closer look (I was too depressed to start tonight). It seems like it was one of the fuel lines in behind the radiator as that's where all the fuel was still coming from once the fire was out.

Ah mate thats no good at all. Hope its not to expensive to fit, and your back on the road soon.

Oh, and buy another fire extinguisher.

I had a small fire in my mini once, My battery cable melted on the extractors, and set fire to the wires under my bonnet. I used three cans of beer to put it out.

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Christ man. Lucky as hell. **** very close to the fuel tank.

I guess we'll wait for the analysis of the cause before I start bagging Mr Enforcer.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

bugger hope you get it sorted quick.

i've had two fires in my minis

one was a back-fire on a cold wet night, and my air filter caught on fire.. put that out with some wet grass....

next one was my coil falling off and shorting out between positive on the alternator and the engine block... ammeter wires went up in flames, but lucky I had bought a fire extinguisher since the previous incident!

tim.

Lucky the extinguisher put it out before the fire really got a hold of her... Hope its not too much to fix it all up

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If you want more inches, stroke it
Life's a garden.... Dig It!
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20746

lucky there wasn't to much damage caused but still thats a bummer. hope you get it fixed up soon.

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Cheers Dan

FIRST COMES THE MONEY, THEN COMES THE POWER, THEN COMES THE WOMEN.!!

Man, you are one lucky Dude!

That should teach us all a lesson in the mandatory carrying of a fire extinguisher,

Mr Enforcer strikes again....????

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"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

What was on fire exactly? I've had a few electrical fires over the years as I'm sure others have as well

Daniel

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Videos - Turbocharged A-Series on Dyno & at Wakefield
Mafs waz not my strong subgeckt at skkol

I've been carrying one for years, I used it once but not on the car (kitchen caught fire and the mini was easy to get to) Their only really good for small fires but it's still better than nothing.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Well I finally got around to pulling everything out of the boot and have found the problem. It seems the balance line between the fuel tanks was rubbing on a bolt at the back of the boot and has worn a pretty big hole through the braided line. The fuel must have leaked through the radiator scoop in the floor and ignited on the exhaust. At least it shouldn't be too much effort to fix. Looks like the radiator fan has copped some damage from the fire as well. Anyway here are the pics...

BUGGER mate....yeah ive made a habit of keeping a fire extinguisher in my mini after the mini club nearly slapped me when i told em i didnt

glad it looks like a relatively easy fix, lucky you saved the car though before it got a lot worse

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00' Forester GT

The armour flex fuel line didn't seem to do you any favors. It may as well have been plain rubber.

Braided hoses I typically see in marine applications can be taken to with a tomahawk, and still perform their duties up to the last due to substantially sized stainless bindings.

I wonder if this stuff you used is all bling and no real protection?
Is it Earls?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I wouldn't be so quick to go blaming the hose.

Any hose put in a situation where it will rub against an abrasive surface will break down and fatigue over time.I think all a thicker braid (or teflon cored hose) would have done is buy a bit more time before failure.

It is unfortunate that this has happened, but I think an excellent reminder for people to buy an extinguisher. You have got out relatively unscathed when compared to the alternative if it had have really taken hold.

Although it probably pains you to look at it, it is critical you get the powder from the extinguisher off your components ASAP as it is extremely corrosive and will rapidly eat away at them (paint and bodywork included).