Originally Posted by W0Pdego

That does sound odd to me that the gauge read HOT before the OP noticed smoke/flames. Nothing in the engine bay would ignite at temperatures that would overheat the car without an outside source of ignition or unless it touched the MUCH hotter exhaust manifold. While tracking the car, it's not uncommon to see oil temps around the 280's. Coolant temps around the same temp range will max out the gauge, as it peaks at 273 degrees. Before that point, I'd imagine that some signs that something was amiss would have presented themselves if an overheat alone caused this. (I.E. steam coming from the radiator, that burnt coolant smell, reduced performance). The only way for the overheat to actually cause the blaze is if the head gasket failed from the extra heat and pressure causing oil to come in contact with something in the combustion chamber or something outside of the engine that was hot enough to spontaneously ignite it (exhaust manifold).

There had to be something else going on there, as the most flammable substance in the engine bay (gasoline) has an autoignition (min temp to ignite without spark or flame) temperature of 475 degrees on the low end, which should only occur inside the engine and in/on the exhaust manifold and piping in the immediate vicinity to include the catalytic converter, which gets VERY hot.

Originally Posted by W0Pdego

100% it's a total loss. You have an '03, which even in great condition have been totaled out when some dirtbag slashes the top and steals the seats. Considering that you're out everything in the interior/engine bay, plus the front suspension, bumper, hood, fenders, underbody plastics, I'd say it's totaled. I just hope that the insurance company doesn't dick you around with the payout. Don't settle for a lowball offer. Good luck.

Originally Posted by W0Pdego

That does sound odd to me that the gauge read HOT before the OP noticed smoke/flames. Nothing in the engine bay would ignite at temperatures that would overheat the car without an outside source of ignition or unless it touched the MUCH hotter exhaust manifold. While tracking the car, it's not uncommon to see oil temps around the 280's. Coolant temps around the same temp range will max out the gauge, as it peaks at 273 degrees. Before that point, I'd imagine that some signs that something was amiss would have presented themselves if an overheat alone caused this. (I.E. steam coming from the radiator, that burnt coolant smell, reduced performance). The only way for the overheat to actually cause the blaze is if the head gasket failed from the extra heat and pressure causing oil to come in contact with something in the combustion chamber or something outside of the engine that was hot enough to spontaneously ignite it (exhaust manifold).

There had to be something else going on there, as the most flammable substance in the engine bay (gasoline) has an autoignition (min temp to ignite without spark or flame) temperature of 475 degrees on the low end, which should only occur inside the engine and in/on the exhaust manifold and piping in the immediate vicinity to include the catalytic converter, which gets VERY hot.

Originally Posted by soon2bspooled

Yeah i honestly have no idea what im going to get. i may look for a very clean type r. not sure yet.

and the majority of the heat from the flames was on the fuel side.