Well, I never got to get a real close look, with all the excitement, but the
flames were coming from between the valance below the bumper and the exhaust
system, in addition to the license plate opening.  I knew that if I opened
the license plate, flames would come jetting out and I would probably just
oxygenate the fire, so I attacked it from under the bumper.  I never really
thought about all that shrouding in an air-cooled motor.  I just kind of
knocked down the initial flames from a distance of about 18 inches, then
jammed the  nozzle under the bumper and sprayed from each side.  Then I got
in through the license plate opening.  That really seemed to do the trick.
I'll be real interested to take a look at an airhead now to see the layout
of that shrouding.

The fire was caught fairly early -- the flames had not engulfed the entire
rear of the van, as you see in some fires.  (One problem with being in
*front* of the engine while driving...)  If this had been the case, I doubt
I would have been much help.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Shea [mailto:shea@GTSDESIGN.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 10:59 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: FIRE!!! (True story from this morning)

On Tue, 25 Jan 2000, BRENT CHRISTENSEN wrote:
> Well, ironically after all this discussion about fire and Halon vs. PKP,
> etc.  I had the opportunity this morning to put the theory to practice...

First off, bonus points to you for saving that van, and I bet it
does feel good.  Nice work ;)

What I want to know is how, on an '80 vanagon, could you get to the
engine compartment from below?  Was all the sheet metal gone?  I
have never thought about this before and it's time I did!!!  I read
your description and all I know is that there's no real gap there
on my '81.

        Gary