Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 19:26:53 -0500
Reply-To: Mark Hudgik <mhudgik@THE-SPA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Mark Hudgik <mhudgik@THE-SPA.COM>
Subject: Re: Smoke coming from under the van
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Joe,
That "bulbous fixture" caused my '81 van's paint job to turn from ivory to
black. I would strongly suggest not using it until it has been thoroughly
checked out.
From your description, it sounds like you are referring to the auxiliary
heater. It is controlled by the green backlighted knob. If I remember
correctly, the push-in timer allows for up to 10 minutes of heater run time
without starting the van. This is great for preheating the interior first
thing on a cold morning. Turning the knob without pushing it in adjusts the
interior temperature setpoint (thermostat). I'll let others that haven't
yet blackened their exteriors correct me or elaborate.
I would suggest to anyone who owns a van with an auxiliary gasoline heater
to check it thoroughly. This should be done at least once a year prior to
the heating season, similar to checking/servicing a home heating system. A
thorough check of hoses, wiring, sparkplug and combustion chamber will
insure a safe and troublefree heating season.
My experience with the aux heater ended in an empty lot next to a
convenience store. I was backing out of the parking area of a local
convenience store when the clerk came running out frantically pointing at my
front bumper. I stopped in front of the row of gas pumps and started to get
out to see what the problem was. The clerk started shouting and was now
pointing to my bumper AND the rear of the van. That's when I noticed the
small trail of fire from the front of the store that continued under the
van... and that I was stopped 3 feet from the pump island! I quickly jumped
in the van and drove it into the empty lot next door figuring that would be
a safe place to find out what was happening. When I jumped out, flames were
curling up the bottom edges of the side panels and by the time I ran the 200
ft back to the store, the interior was completely filled with black smoke
and the flames had reached the roof drip edges.
I had left the heater (but not the van) running while I went into the store
and must have had a leaking fuel line. It probably was due to using, but
never servicing the heater over the previous 5 years. The unit's location
allows for all sorts of road grunge to wash over it and needs to be
maintained, not neglected.
- Mark *** 91 Carat ***
- Granby, MA
Joe Denison wrote:
> Dear List,
>
> This morning when I started my '81 Vanagon L, I noticed a foul smelling
> smoke coming from under the vehicle. It appeared to be coming from a
> bulbous fixture just in front of the rear axle. It smells vaguely like
> burning rubber. I've noticed that this only happens when I turn on this
> small knob next to my regular heating controls. It has a small green
> light inside of it and it can be pushed in and turned so that it appears
> to behave like a timer of some sort. I know I probably sound like a
> gibbering idiot who never should have bought something I didn't fully
> understand, but I already love my bus and I'm determined to get it
> working properly so that I can take some trips I've been dreaming of for
> a long time.
>
> Any help appreciated,
> Joe Denison
