Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1998 10:42:29 -0700
Reply-To:     John-Reed Maffeo <rlpa80@EMAIL.SPS.MOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Comments:     ( Received on motgate2.mot.com from client mothost.mot.com,
              sender rlpa80@email.sps.mot.com )
From:         John-Reed Maffeo <rlpa80@EMAIL.SPS.MOT.COM>
Subject:      Rear Wiper Motor Burnout - replacement and advice needed
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The Leonoid Meteor Shower was beautiful. I had driven out to a dark
spot in the desert and spent the night on the bed in the back of my
Syncro.

When I started to leave I thought I smelled smoke. OHMYGODNO, my
engine is on fire! I jumped out, fire extinguisher in hand, and ran
to the back. No smoke, no fire. Hmmm, maybe it is some creosote or
something hung up on the exhaust.

I continue down the road. Sniff, sniff I know I smell smoke. Maybe it
is comming from the heater. Yea, that must me it. The smell was not
overpowering but quite unpleasant.

This went on through several iterations. I stopped two more times
trying to sniff out the source. I finally figured out that the smell
was comming from behind the panel on the rear hatch and I assumed that
it was the wiper motor. After removing the panel visual inspection
confirmed it.

The motor had burned up and the smell was the smell of burnt motor.

Now I need some advice about:

1. Rebuild or replace the motor? Anybody got one?

2. How do I get the horrible smell out of my van?

3. What should I do about the plastic retaining pins that broke off
        while removing the panel?

4. Can I add some insulation to the space behind the panel? What kind?