Date:         Tue, 21 Sep 1999 17:37:44 -0400
Reply-To:     Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Subject:      Saw the Damage Today on MY EV
Comments: To: ev_update@maller.com
Comments: cc: langdon.hill@hilleuropa.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi All,


I finally got to see the fire damage up close today. Actually I saw the
damage the day of the fire, but the entire engine compartment was covered
in fire extinguisher powder. The dealer steam-cleaned the engine so the
insurance adjuster could see the damage.

The primary source of ignition was the fitting on the large fuel line that
comes from the fuel tank and is then capped into a smaller blue line which
eventually feeds the fuel injection rail. The area around the fitting is
severely burnt while the rest of the fuel lines are intact. One of the
lines that feeds the fuel injection rail is aparently broken off. It is not
burnt, nor is the injection rail burnt, so I am assuming in the excitement
to put out the fire it got broken off.

While at the dealership, I mentioned to the parts department manager about
the Canadian recall as well as the other fires on the NHTSA/DoT website,
and he said that there was another EV at the dealership about six months
ago. It too suffered from an engine fire.


REMEMBER: Check your fuel lines...log your complaint on the NHTSA/DoT
website....Call VWoA.


Ric