Date:         Thu, 14 Sep 2000 16:58:12 -0700
Reply-To:     Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      HOT engine comp.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Honorable listees,

I have recently noticed, after driving my '90 Westy even a moderate
distance, that the engine compartment is very hot, especially towards the
rear. The license plate door is almost too hot to touch. Even the rear
bumper is hot. It has been around 100F here in central Arizona, but I don't
think that is the problem. The heads were done back in March of this year
and a new temp II and thermostat installed. There is no loss of coolant and
the temp guage is just above the LED and the van runs fine. There is no air
visible in the expansion tank. I seem to recall a while back something on
the list about the catalytic converter going bad. Could this be the problem?
My muffler is still mostly silver color, but I have noticed the cat is dark
blue. If it is the cat, am I looking at something serious happening soon or
do I have a little time??
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jerry