02 Aurora caught on fire 3 months ago

[tim1993]

So this is what my 2nd gen Aurora looked like after it caught on fire 3 months ago. I posted pics on facebook but I'm posting on here for the people who didn't see. I been trying to post pics but I couldn't until now.

[plato442]

That truly sucks. I'm sorry to see that happen

[genedjr]

Do you have any idea why it caught fire?  Maybe there is something the rest of us need to watch out for.
And yeah, that truly sucks.
...gene

[Marc]

Nov 14, 2014 8:58:06 GMT -6 genedjr said:

Do you have any idea why it caught fire?  Maybe there is something the rest of us need to watch out for.
And yeah, that truly sucks.
...gene

My guesses:

1. Loose connection in the fuel rails.
2. Very bad valve cover oil leak.

[tim1993]

Nov 14, 2014 8:58:06 GMT -6 genedjr said:

Do you have any idea why it caught fire?  Maybe there is something the rest of us need to watch out for.
And yeah, that truly sucks.
...gene

To be honest I'm not sure. I know I had to get my alternator rebuilt about a month before the car caught on fire because the alt went bad on me. But I hear people saying the gas rails could have been the problem but I'm not sure. I was still trying to figure that out myself.

[tim1993]

But I really do miss that car. Might end up getting another one day but until then I'm enjoying this first gen Aurora.

[sempar]

Fuel rails? I doubt it. Look at the beauty cover, it's melted, not burned. Look at the burn area on the hood, well away from any fuel rail. I wouldn't be surprised if the fire and your rebuilt alternator are connected. Did you have the alternator R&R and rebuilt at the shop? If so, my first inclination was a short in the alternator or the wiring for it or around it. Poor connection, pinched wires. A quick look under the car on that side will indicate if the fire started in / around the alternator and not on top of the engine or fuse box.

John

[tim1993]

Yes they rebuilt the whole alternator cause the parts were new when I looked at it. Previously the alternator had burnt out. ONe day I was at a stop light and it just started smoking and I saw that it had black stuff on it but when i got it rebuilt i didnt see none of that stuff and it looked like new parts. Around 2-3 weeks later it completely stopped working and took it back to them they "fixed" it again and a month later I started the car and saw smoke and next thing I know it turned black. Got out the car and saw the fire under the car so I'm leaning more towards the alternator messing up.

[phydeaux]

*******'ll buff out.

[danjc]

I posted a few years ago, my alternator caught fire and started the nearby plastic (and I am sure some oil droppings) on fire. I had just gotten home from a 13 hour journey, and parked in the garage. Went to bed to grab a quick nap, and about 20 minutes later the smoke alarms went off. Lucky I got it out of the garage, and had a fire extinguisher in the garage - turned out I had to replace the alt, radiator, and a few minor plastic pieces. Not too bad - but it was going to get much worse! I think i still have that old generator around here somewhere... It was the factory original alternator (actually ours is a generator).

Anyway - that is always sad to see one go this way! Sorry for your loss!
Dan

[tim1993]

Thanks and yes everything under my hood was done for as you could see in the pics I didnt even know how to react to it.

[elgato]

I had a 96 LSS 3.8 that caught fire. The fuel pressure regulator diaphragm started leaking gas onto the engine and into the vacuum line. It shared a vacuum line with the transmission so the transmission also had a lot of gas in it. Great design! Lucky it did not explode.

[kaytrox]

I just lost my 1995 Olds 88 to an under the hood fire. That's how I wound up with my Aurora. Funny thing is, I was actually looking at the Aurora when my 88 was doing just fine. It was at a dealer right at the corner of my alley. I am going to buy an extinguisher tomorrow, and keep it in the trunk at ALL times. Thanx for the heads up!