Thread: Burning it up on the Autobahn.... my 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???

Originally Posted by Andrew.W

Yep makes you wonder doesnt it??
The went through it with a fine tooth comb, especially as D3s are quite rare where I live the inspectors are not familiar with it.

We shall see if they can determine the cause.

Andrew

Pure speculation, but there is always the possibility the inspector disloged/damaged something, or left an oily rag in the engine bay...

However it could just be a coincidence...