Car catches on fire!

GunnyIa · Jan 9, 2015

Quite a morning! Got the 8N started, and put in some seat time plowing the road of snow. Chains go on in the morning.

Granddaughter leaves for work in her Toyota Yaris. Few minutes later, she charges into my bedroom (5:00 am) saying her car was on fire! She was plowing through snow, saw smoke coming out around the engine hood, followed by flames. She jumped out of her running car and ran back to the house (the car still running in the middle of the road).

I sprung out of bed like a jack rabbit (yea, sure). Threw on some clothes (it was -7 degrees outside), and walked to her car. Opened the engine hood, could smell plastic burning but could not see where it was (forgot a flashlight). Drove the car back to the house, no flames were visible.

Anyone experience a flaming Yaris?

Gunny, in Iowa

Brendon Warren · Jan 9, 2015

No but my sister in law had flaming Nissan Juke

John_PA · Jan 9, 2015

No, but I have experienced a Yaris flaming.

You know why they named it a Yaris? Because the name "go-cart" was already taken. Nothing on that car would surprise me. I worked a Kia once, that if you rolled up all 4 windows at the same time, it would blow a fuse. Consulted other mechanics and finally a dealership who told me to check the owner's manual. Sure enough it says in the owner's manual not to roll up all 4 windows at the same time or it will blow the fuse.

Simple fix...

onefarmer · Jan 9, 2015

Did the snow jamb any plastic into the exhaust?

john in la · Jan 9, 2015

Toyota sent us a recall on our 2008 Yaris for plastic melting with possible fire but it involves the switch for the power windows.
Really doubt that would be your problem.

But plastic smell and flames sure sounds like snow pushed something against exhaust.
Could also be shorting wires in engine compartment.

Sparktrician · Jan 9, 2015

I a guy who has a yaris......but I don't think it's
the car that's the "Flamer" lol

Dblair · Jan 10, 2015

I haven't had any problems yet. 140000 miles so far
at 40 to 45 miles per gallon . that's what I bought
it for miles per gallon . it' a 2008 . 12000 out the
door, plates , taxes, air conditioning , a hatch
back to throw your junk .

hd6gtom · Jan 10, 2015

I think toy is aware of the problem, call them.

lenray · Jan 10, 2015

Many of my rich amish neighbors are buying stock in Toyota--and we are hearing they hope to rename--Toyoder.............

IH2444 · Jan 10, 2015

Perhaps the snow pushed a plastic cover against an exhaust pipe or something. Look for signs of that.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Jan 10, 2015

Or possibly pushed a vacuum line against the manifold.

Mark - IN. · Jan 10, 2015

I didn't want to go there, but thought about it. Thanks for doing my dirty work for me. This time I can walk away with my hands in my pockets, whistling, with a clear conscience and knowing that for a change...I'm not the one that did it. Grin.

Mark

Car catches on fire!

GunnyIa

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Brendon Warren

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John_PA

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onefarmer

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john in la

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Sparktrician

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Dblair

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hd6gtom

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lenray

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IH2444

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john .?-!. cub owner

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Mark - IN.

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