pysop7

First off, I should say that the day didn't end like I thought it would; in a China Buffet talking to my buddy about why my Rx7 had to die...by fire.

To make a short story long, I just arrived back in country two days ago from a deployment to Afghanistan, I only include that detail because of the anxiety I was feeling after paying a reputable tuner in North Carolina to install a few performance parts on the car while I was gone.

When I say I looked forward to nothing more than seeing and driving that car after being away from it for so long, especially since it was completely stock when I left it, I mean it. It was the only thing I looked forward to. My wife left to take care of her Grandmother (BTW: the coolest old lady i've ever met) in Reno, unfortunately taking our 4 kids with her. She's unable to move back until I get back from my next deployment. I know I know, pitty me. All these details are added to show you guys how much of a tragedy the loss of my Rx7 was to me. It was all I had of value here.

The day started out shitty, I should add. But I didn't really mind because my buddy and I were going to drive up to a certain place and pick up the car... the day was finally here. I was going to actually experience a Holly RacingBeat Carburetor, with the Holley fuel pump, regulator, and all the supporting parts to go with it. Someone, literally, could have pooped on my face and I wouldn't have been upset. This day was that special.

After talking to the mechanics of the shop, the owner (and main mechanic) was on vacation, I asked them if there was anything I should sign. Payment was taken care of over the past three months. It almost seemed too easy just going there, picking up the ca,r and driving off.

Understand this: I have never modded any of my cars...EVER! For the simple reason of realibility. I never wanted to take the chance. Engineers spend countless hours working with complex formulas getting ever piece just right. Even with all the faults from the cost cutting measure of Mazda, the Rx7 is a fantastic machine, and I've never had issues with the two "STOCK" cars i've owned in my life.

UNTIL TODAY. 5 miles into driving my newly equipped RX7 from the tuning shop died on me. I, honestly, expected that much. The work was finished in March sometime and I was sure there'd be bubbles in the fuel line or something that would make it bog down and die. It did just that.

I leaned down and popped the hood. The moment the hood came up just that 1/2 an inch I saw FIRE coming from the carburetor side. Time seemed to slow down in my mind. I had a volume full of thoughts before I managed to reach for the hood and open it up, but everything happened a lot quicker than I was imagining it.

I couldn't believe what my eyes were witnessing. My car, my rx7, the car I told my oldest daughter she'd be driving when she was old enough was burning right in front of me. This was the car that meant so much more to me than the money I put into it. I truely found a diamond in the rough. It wasn't perfect, but it was completely stock. As well as being maintained EXTREMELY well by the family that owned it before me. Mechanically, it was sound. Cosmetically...not so much on the interior. but the body was straigt as an arrow.

I started this thread to share a few of learned lessons and insights, especially to newbies:

#1 Modifying a car isn't as easy as just adding parts on that car.

#2 The amount of money you spend should always be disproportionate to how that mod will make you feel when you get behind the wheel.

#3 Enjoy the good times with your car, Like a marriage, You have to experience the rough times to appreciate the better ones.

#4 Start with suspension.

I honestly don't know what my next step will be to remedy this void I have. A good RX7 was lost today, not by some teenage driver doing donuts in a walmart parking lot, but by someone's negligence. Failing to do a job good enough and cutting corners. I'm not sure what those corners were, but they were cut. Now someone must make amends.

I will be updating this thread. As stupid as this sounds, I am chronicling the actions taken by myself and the shop who did the work. I want you guys to know your rights if you have issues as catastrophic as mine were, and what you can do.

A Frivolous lawsuit is not coming. My first move is to contact the business owner and come to a monetary agreement/arrangement. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt my pocket book. I will say that if at anytime he stops being "COOL" and tries to escape his responsibility I will file a lawsuit in small claims court.

Everyone must be held accountable for every decision that make. I just want to see if he will step up to the plate and play with the big boys.

Roop

7aull

iTrader: (2)

well isn't THAT a helluva Welcome-Back!!
To say this Blows is of course an understatement - and putting myself in your shoes I can only begin to imagine the frustration and disappointment. We all cherish our little rotary chariots!

Tho you didn't say, I am assuming the fire didn't stop at the carb and so the whole car is gone - or at least enough to write it off. I guess the only silver lining here is you weren't hurt. Live another day to ride again! Damn - and this is after HOW long dodging gawd-knows what in friendly Afghanistan?? I hope the shop treats you right. Either way there are still a LOT of RX7s out there so you WILL be back in the saddle again soldier-

Thanks for everything.
Keep us posted.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

first off, thank you for your service to our country and for risking your life in enemy infested territory.

my first question is how far gone is the car? what do you suppose caused the leak? definatly glad you were unharmed.

pysop7

Thanks Stu,

Fortunately, the firefighters got there quick. Besides the carpet getting soaked from the water, the fire was isolated under the hood. I'm going to have it towed back to the shop today.

Probably the most ironic thing from this whole situation is I used to be a wildland firefighter in NV with a hotshot crew out of Elko before I joined the Army. Specializing in putting out forest fires without water

So to have to sit there and just watch it burn until the fire dept. got there; i felt powerless.

pysop7

Thank you,

To answer your question: The rest of the car is unscathed. The car's mechanics (ie. tranny, diff, etc) are intact.

As far as the fuel leak, I'm not sure where it started, I only remember seeing the flames coming from under the filter; probably starting from the Venturis.

Chris

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

sorry to hear bout the 7. i'm sure there was something the mechanic did, or didn't do, that caused the fire. but u know they'll claim it wasn't their fault.

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

yet another reason why I do all of my own work....

Boriquaguerrero

iTrader: (18)

that sucks!!! thats why i keep a fire extiguisher on mine. probably the mechanic didnt tight the fuel hose

lucky1

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for your service. I hope this all works out for you and the Shop does the right thing. In case they don't and go into" cover their ***" mode, you need to start keeping a record of what happended and Preserve your evidence! The car is the prime piece of evidence. I would "NOT"!!! take it back to that shop until another reputable shop has a look at it and determines the likely cause of the fire. That will ensure you get a professional and impartial determination of the likely cause. You don't need much of an imagination to come up with some of the possibilities that can happen if the "guilty" parties gets thier hand on the evidence first. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and the shop deserves a chance to make it right. BUT protect your self from getting burned again --Protect and Preserve your evidence and get an impartial determination First! Good luck.

lucky1

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for your service. I hope this all works out for you and the Shop does the right thing. In case they don't and go into" cover their ***" mode, you need to start keeping a record of what happended and and Preserve your evidence! The car is the prime piece of evidence. I would "NOT"!!! take it back to that shop until another reputable shop has a look at it and determines the likely cause of the fire. That will ensure you get a professional and impartial determination of the likely cause. You don't need much of an imagination to come up with some of the possibilities that can happen if the "guilty" parties gets thier hand on the evidence first. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and the shop deserves a chance to make it right. BUT protect your self from getting burned again --Protect and Preserve your evidence and get an impartial determination First! Good luck.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Thank you for your service, and congratulations for returning home safely. You deserved a better welcome than this.

Truly a tragedy, but thankfully no one was hurt. I can only imagine your disappointment, but take heart - - you're still alive, and the car may well be quite salvageable. Engine fires are nasty, but they are the reason there's a 'firewall' between it and the interior.

Soaked carpet, if allowed to air, can be okay.

I hope they treat you right.

dream36realms

iTrader: (4)

welcome home. Many of us waited many months to get home to our 7's. I got ome and mine ran perfect. I drove it for 2 weeks before leave. now I am on leave and 800 milesaway from her and feelthe pain again. I am sorry about your situation. I am sure you will get her running again.

pysop7

The wrecker has already told me that he'll get me an estimate of the damage (he owns a bodyschool). I want to get one more estimate from a different bodyshop as well as an estimate from a different mechanic.

After thinking about it I decided not to bring it to the shop where the work was done for the that very reason. Honestly, I was going for a psychological "Shock and Awe" effect. I wanted him to see his negligence.

So thus far by weds next week I will have two estimates of the body damage, and at least one estimate of the mechanical damage and a statement of origin of the fire.

I don't know what else I should prepare. I have plenty of pics, and with the estimates I should have everything I need to sway a judge.

If you guys have any advice] at all on aproaching this situation or preparing for a lawsuit I'm all ears. I hope it doesn't come to that, The guys at the shop were nothing but helpful the entire time I was deployed. I really do not like the position i'm in. No car with a possible lawsuit. This sucks: two thumbs down

pysop7

http://hcwlaw.com/auto-mechanics-lia...epairs-ct.html

Simple explanation of the resposibilities a mechanic has to the customers

bad 83

iTrader: (3)

Damn that sucks man. I hate to hear these type things. My older brother is currently deployed to Afghanistan, so I'm glad you have returned safely. Just out of curiosity, what was the shop that worked on the car? I only know of one in NC, and I would hate to think it was that one.

pysop7

Thank you.

I'd rather not say RIGHT NOW. I will wait for his reaction before I put his business on blast on a public forum. He does good work, and I've never heard or read anything bad about the shop. So that information will have to wait, but seeing where you're from you can probably guess.

I think we can come to a reasonable agreement before it ever goes to court.

How he handles this will tell me a lot about his character, but I do understand he owns a business in a shitty economy, and i'm ready for any reaction.

jim_chung

iTrader: (2)

So sorry to hear about this, you have my complete sympathies and best wishes for a good outcome. Safe return from your next deployment.


Jim

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Sounds like you're fully prepared for the Gen. James Mattis "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery... BUT..." approach.

Good luck.

che'srx-7

iTrader: (5)

hey brother you're in Bragg, have you heard of JOE? i don't let anybody work on my car unless rotaries are their speialty.

che'srx-7

iTrader: (5)

hopfully you get the car out soon, i have only seen 4 other FB's in bragg and i know them all but one.

pysop7

LOL good analogy. I'll put it this way, I'm willing to negotiate a reasonable offer, but although I didn't bring artillery I have close air support .

In the words of Charlie Sheen "WINNING!"

pysop7

Can't say I have of anybody by that name. I've seen a red FB near Butler rd.

The only thing the shop does is rotaries.

pysop7

UPDATE:
-Hasn't responded back after numerous messages and an Email.
-the body shop is dancing around giving me legitimate estimate on the body damage...Good 'ol boy working in full effect?

bad 83

iTrader: (3)

I really would hate to think that if it is the shop that I am thinking about that the owner wouldn't try and make a mends.

pysop7

As of 8/1:

A JAG attorney helped me out, the owner of the shop said he wanted to come to an agreement, but not before talking to the attorney. What I don't think a lot of business know is that stuff like this is considered a business loss, which means it's a tax ride off. So besides getting his ego hurt and realizing that sometimes things like this happen, there's no reason to not take full responsibility.

When I talked to him he told me he looked at the car and concluded that the battery caught fire. I almost started laughing when he said. I wish I started recording as soon as I saw smoke. But he knew it while he was giving me that as an excuse that he was full of crap.

However, I know a lot of people had good work done by this shop. It's an unfortunate event, but mistakes happen. Even the best shops mess up on occasion. I wasn't that mad at the situation until he denied responsibility (more sad than anything). And since the burden of proof fell on me, I was very careful getting my paperwork straight with the fire dept. and the police station that showed up to the scene.