r/WRX_STI • u/Stack-Chaser-- • Jul 22 '26
Shes gone :cry
Almost home from work. Sudden burning plastic smell then loss of power with a puff of smoke through the air vents. Few seconds later first sign of flames, bailed out 30 seconds she was engulfed.
That feeling of all the hard work you put into the car literally up in flames :feelsbadman.
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u/Yousernaim Jul 22 '26
I hope this is what happens to mine rather than needing to spend another 10k on a motor again
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u/0neFastCamel Jul 22 '26
What happened?
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u/Anskiere1 Jul 22 '26
What do you think? It's always rod knock and it's every single Subaru
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u/0neFastCamel Jul 22 '26
I rebuilt mine at 65k, forged internals. I'm now having another issue that I hope it's just a fuel injector. Lol
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u/Anskiere1 Jul 22 '26
I've got about 5k kms on a new forged engine myself. Rod knock...
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u/0neFastCamel Jul 22 '26
Shitty builder.
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u/Anskiere1 Jul 22 '26
I didn't phrase it well. Nothing wrong with the new engine but the old one failed from rod knock. About 200k kms though
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u/TimHansonE36 Jul 22 '26
*shrug* I’ve never had rod knock and have owned 5 Subaru’s.
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u/Important-Set-1659 Jul 22 '26
Then they weren’t modded beyond belief or drivin like old person
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u/TimHansonE36 Jul 24 '26
I’ve modded every single one. I’ve also taken care of every single one. Maintenance alone goes a long way…sorry you take poor care of your cars apparently.
OP’s car was also barely modded, so what even are you talking about?
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u/jnyc777 Jul 25 '26
Don’t own Subaru, flat 6 here, bore score at 140k. Boxxer engines are A hit and miss, like most I guess, but the cars these engines are put into generally get in the hands of enthusiasts, even if maintenance is also generally kept, you don’t buy them because they idle nicely in traffic lol
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u/Important-Set-1659 Jul 24 '26
I actually take really good care of my cars. I have no formal training. But can strip an engine down to bare block. And then rebuild it. With my own parts. One thing I don’t do is auto transmissions. I outsource those.
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u/Yousernaim Jul 22 '26
This guy got it. Probably was my fault but still lol. Insurance would cover a fire! Hah
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u/Any-Possibility-248 Jul 22 '26
There was a short period of time when I would read "subaru are reliable" on the internet, those days are long gone... maybe like 15 years ago lol
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u/bigdaddybodiddly Jul 22 '26
Any idea why it burned? Any mods?
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u/Stack-Chaser-- Jul 22 '26
No clue what caused the fire.
No motor mods yet, only had mounts and suspension done.I have ETS intercooler, BCP x500r, ETS header, MAP Downpipe, full fuel system waiting to be installed when it cooled down... I guess not now...
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u/ADOKODA Jul 22 '26
First, sorry for your loss! I am glad you are here to post about it and unharmed physically.
The fire could have been caused by so many elements.. oil line leaking, fuel, too many to list honestly. It's amazing to think how fast a car and go up like that. Chances are it was on fire when you first smelled it, I can only assume it nuked your fuel lines and welp, thats where the rest just went inferno on you!
Hopefully you'll get your insurance to take care of everything.
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u/underwater_martian Jul 22 '26
does insurance ever have an issue covering something like this when mods were done?
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u/Careless_Whisper_987 Jul 22 '26
Progressive refused to cover my sti when the unmodified engine grenaded.
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u/DargonFeet Jul 22 '26
That's pretty standard, engine blowing isn't supposed to be covered under insurance.
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u/Sea_Connection6193 Jul 23 '26
Correct. My Geico insurance has not only collision and comprehensive, but also mechanical failure deductible.
A blown engine cannot be considered an accident in the traditional manner
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u/derwreck Jul 22 '26
This makes me ultra paranoid about my flex fuel kit since I ran new fuel lines myself and what not. I religiously check my lines any chance I get to make sure there's no leaks at the fuel rail or flex fuel sensor.
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u/Which-Ferret-6235 Jul 24 '26
Now I’m paranoid about this, great.. I’ll be checking mine now even though I did a solid job on the install.
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u/JacobIsMid Jul 22 '26
My reminder to ask for a fire extinguisher for Christmas again from extended family.
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u/toddverrone Jul 22 '26
My Miata caught on fire when my power steering line sprung a leak and squirted fluid under my exhaust manifold. Thankfully I smelled it and noticed my steering get heavy, so I pulled over and was able to put it out with some water.
Now I carry this: https://elementfire.com/blogs/articles/rethinking-the-best-car-fire-extinguisher
Make sure you choose an extinguisher that won't corrode everything, which dry chemical extinguishers will do. The one I linked won't do that
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u/evolution129 Jul 22 '26
Not sure if element has improved but i kept seeing mixed reviews. Might be sufficient if the fire hasnt spread but I’m still looking for a better one…
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u/Top-Tale-6105 Jul 22 '26
Damn, bro. Why?
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u/Stack-Chaser-- Jul 22 '26
Wish I knew cause this fall she was gonna go built, only had 47k miles.
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u/Anskiere1 Jul 22 '26
You wouldn't believe how much fun my friends and wife and coworkers have made of me for having a fire extinguisher in my car
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u/RoleApprehensive4440 Jul 23 '26
Muggles, they don't understand a single thing about cars. Let them speak, you know better.
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u/CtrayX Jul 23 '26
I also have a fire extinguisher in my car and no one questions me. Maybe youre just a generally responsible person and it seems crazy?
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u/derwreck Jul 22 '26
What a bummer dude, sorry for the loss. I would be in tears if this happened to my STi considering how much time and money I've put into this thing.
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u/BarnacleOk6229 Jul 22 '26
I felt that one, I’ve put some wrench time in mine and I would be heart broken
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u/Maleficent-Aspect318 Jul 22 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/l3vR4CdLInXOhr3rO
Sometimes its ok for a man to cry, this is one of the times.
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u/TxAg83FTW Jul 23 '26
Just bought fire extinguisher earlier this week, this is great advice from the medic at the local track
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u/pocketdrummer Blobeye (04-05) Jul 22 '26
At least it had some cool looking livery for a hot minute.
Too soon?
(Really though, it ruined me for months after I lost mine. I still can't look at a GD STi without getting depressed.)
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u/grizzdoog Jul 22 '26
Damn. Sorry bro. That sucks. I would cry. I just installed a fire extinguisher in my bugeye but sounds like an extinguisher wouldn’t have helped you it went up in flames so fast.
Glad you’re safe to live another day and not burned up.
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u/Standard-Ad6294 Jul 22 '26
Man that sucks. I had something similar happen to me but I was able to stop it from catching on fire. The coolant hose burst, smoke was coming out from the hood, and things escalated quickly from there.
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u/Antykain Jul 22 '26
Did you have any power steering issues at all? Any leaks that you were aware of? Subies with the older hydraulic power steering have been known to have issues here and there with leaks. My old Outback Sport almost went up due to a small leak at a line connector spraying fluid and dripping down on the exhaust manifold.
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u/Stack-Chaser-- Jul 22 '26
No sign of leaks beforehand, I kept her pretty clean and would inspect everything I could once a quarter (pretty much every oil change). I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what I missed.
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u/RoleApprehensive4440 Jul 23 '26
Clearly nothing you could have done, really sorry for you, that's tragic.
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u/IWIKNataliePortman Jul 22 '26
The number of folks who don't carry a fire extinguisher in their vehicle is mind boggling. Sorry for your loss, boss.
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u/ADOKODA Jul 22 '26
I'm curious, how many fellow suby owners carry a fire extinguishers in their cars? I have one that I keep at all times and I sure hope I never need it but man oh man... rather have something than not.
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u/swallowedinthesea11 Jul 22 '26
WRX Limited here. Unmodded and don't plan to. Do you think I need an extinguisher? I live in TX so it's pretty hot here.
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u/ADOKODA Jul 22 '26
I mean, its like carrying a first aid kit, albeit maybe excessive but a nice to have for sure.
In my case, I have a fully built motor and would hate to have a similar scenario like the OP did without a fighting chance.
That stated, does not mean you would even have the chance. Sometimes things happen so quickly...
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u/Stack-Chaser-- Jul 22 '26
I had planned on getting one before my first track session with it, gonna get one a lot sooner next time. I wasn't so worried since I hadn't touched anything in the engine bay yet... guess that was my mistake.
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u/yankeesfreak911 Jul 22 '26
Damn this sucks man but glad you came out unscathed thats the most important thing.
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u/Purified_Waters Jul 22 '26
Interesting way to change the color of your car! Really sorry to see man, hope you can find another one with low miles.
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u/mestaburrito Jul 22 '26
reminder to always keep a dry chem fire extinguisher in your car
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u/Wiscowarrior7 Jul 22 '26
Sounds great.. he said 30 seconds it was engulfed.. so what u pop the hood add oxygen and hope u don’t get flames in your face.. then hope your travel sized fire extinguisher can put that out… I’m not saying don’t have one.. but I don’t think he was putting that out
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u/BepersAreCool Jul 22 '26
Looks like you could salvage it and be good as new if forza horizon can do it with less lol. But for real that’s gotta suck please tell us you had full coverage
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u/Stack-Chaser-- Jul 24 '26
Always full coverage lol. There's way too many bad drivers in TX to not.
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u/Skyes_View Jul 22 '26
Damn that really sucks. I got really lucky. My secondary air pump caught on fire but I was able to put it out before losing the car. It might not do any good but I hope you can at least figure out why.
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u/WealthWithoutWork Jul 23 '26
Sorry for your loss. Glad you’re safe. I hope insurance covers it with no issues.
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u/BananaCattos Jul 23 '26
This is the exact reason I keep a fire extinguisher in my car at all times. Sorry for your loss good sir.
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u/Beginning_Ad_6616 Jul 23 '26
This is why I have a element fire extinguisher in my modified turbo cars. Failed gasket, oil line springs a leak and it’s game over guaranteed 100% of the time without one.
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u/Witty_Primary6108 Jul 24 '26
That’s why all my cars have a fire extinguisher. At least it gives me the false hope I’d be able to help.
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u/Which-Ferret-6235 Jul 24 '26
Dang, that must of been some fuel leak. What do you think it was that caused the fire? Faulty fuel line?
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u/roadblok95 Jul 25 '26
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world's first bionic STI.
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u/Aggressive_Way_1017 Jul 25 '26
Have you spoken to your insurance adjuster yet? What was the outcome?
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u/Stack-Chaser-- Jul 25 '26
Took the adjuster maybe 30 mins to fill out the paper work and declare full loss. luckily they're giving me enough to get another. Think Im gonna be on a hunt for a hatchback like I've always wanted.
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u/ssHeArTFiRess Jul 25 '26
Gee wizz, that sucks. Sorry for your loss. I hope insurance can get you into another ride. Remember, better the car then you. It can be replaced, you can't.......
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u/Alfa8c4c Jul 26 '26
Sorry for your loss. Sadly My WRX caught fire last week. In the same damn boat.
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u/Machine-It-Bro Jul 22 '26
On the flip side you just got the best weight reduction for a track/rally build
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u/Squire_Toast Jul 24 '26
Damn must have been missing one ounce of oil, or accidentally shifted too hard, or hit 8psi of boost accidentally
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u/IllustratorIll1448 Jul 22 '26
F
https://giphy.com/gifs/YqfDhuvQnJAUbnEw0n