Date:         Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:09:56 -0400
Reply-To:     John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Wire fire in the Engine Room
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Esteemed List ~

So I leave for work and around a curve in my road I notice the brakes had
no power boost. Drive a bit more to see just how much stopping power I had.
It was not much! Guess I'll turn around and head home. Check my mirror for
following traffic and HOLY CRAP!! Smoke and flames out the driver's side
rear vent grille. I grabbed my halon extinguisher (reachable from driver's
seat), leap out and put a shot down the vent, open the license plate door,
put a shot in there then pull the lid. Some smoldering but the fire was
out. No melted lid. Thanks Halon!!

Towed home and started the clean-up. Looks like a lot of insulation burned
off the wiring, especially around the distributor and alternator with the
spark plug wires laying there bare. Most vacuum lines are melted so I've
got my work cut out for me.

Guess I'll finally learn how to read Bentley's wiring diagrams ;-)

Keep those fire extinguishers ready to grab.

John Meeks
'91 Vanagon MV
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com