Lttlecote Adventure

[tippers]

I ventured North on the M5 crossing onto the M4 without problems heading towards junction 14 Hungerford.
I thought I could smell something amiss but put it down to the car in front,however when I had to stop in a jam smoke billowed from the rear wheel arches.
Ah I thought rear caliper problems as before on all my Pre HE`s.

I went about and headed home ,the smoke got worse and I had to stop and call the Jag mans freind, AA assist,they said about an hour away,I said no problem all in a days work for a Jag Owner.

Keeping a fair distance from the car I noticed a considerable amount of smoke coming from the cockpit and with a full tank I rang 999.They were great and arrived in five minutes.

The rear seat had caught fire.

The heat from the brake problem must have been so hot it ignited the rear drivers side seat trim.

The AA arrived and returned me to Classic Motors ,Milverton.

I can only presume the master cylinder failed as there is still fluid in the system.

Car 1978 V12 6.0Litre 6 Twin webbers Kerns Richards Manual.

Any ideas?

Better to have set off than never to have tried.

John

[dhdove]

John

Sorry to hear that sorry tale.

In the aviation world they say NEVER use the fire extinguisher - it makes insurance claims more complicated..........

ie
Keep a can of lighter fluid in the car to ensure that the whole lot goes up

Saves on insurance arguments..............

Had you been able to pursue your journey the rain at Littlecote would have extinguished your fire.......

Hope you and yours are all safe and sound.
DH Dove

[Hosier77]

Sorry to hear that, especially on such a rare car.
On the racers, the heat from the rear inboard brakes tends to cause the diff oil seals to fail. This results in diff oil leaking out.
If your rear calipers are binding, or maybe the handbrake has got stuck, then it could get hot enough to start a fire.
So if you still have all your brake fluid, it might be worth checking your diff oil.
Hope it gets sorted soon.

Ralph.

[kelsham]

Hi sorry to hear your story. A friend of mine lost his car in Lymington car park in the same way.The leaking oil from the diff ignited when he had rear brake problems. Some time later I experienced the same problem and panicked when I smelt burning from the rear axle area. After replacing both calipers as it turned out wrongly. I discovered the rear flexible brake hose was internally damaged which allowed the brakes to come on but not release. regards Kels

[tippers]

Hi Kels you could be right as the last car I had the rear calipers done after removing the axle,only to find the flexi was clogged .
A very expensive repair.

Thanks John

The isurance man cometh!!