Eric,

Did you get the ignition wires back on the correct spark plugs? If not, fuel
might not be burning in the cylinder. Instead, it is getting blown back into
the cat where it is burning. Fuel burning in the cat would explain the heat
in the exhaust. If all of the ignition wires are on the correct plugs, maybe
you have one or more of the ends of the wires loose.

Just a thought.

Bruce

>From: Eric Unrau <eunrau@YAHOO.CA>
>Reply-To: Eric Unrau <eunrau@YAHOO.CA>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Loss of power - super hot muffler
>Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 11:44:56 -0800
>
>Hi folks.  I drove my Westy today for the first time in a couple of
>weeks.  Oil level was ok, coolant level was ok - started up fine.  As we
>drove to the airport, about 10km, the engine seemed to lose some power,
>but I wasn't too concerned - just thought it might be time to swap in a
>new set of ignition wires.  On the way home from the airport the power
>loss worsened until we were barely able to hold 40kph.  Noticed that the
>muffler was really hot, in fact so hot that the body coloured shield
>below the rear bumper has discoloured from the heat.
>
>In my search through the archives I've found a few possible explanations
>for these conditions:
>
>1) plugged cat
>2) slipped timing
>3) failed O2 sensor
>
>Any other possibilities or thoughts on steps toward determining the
>actual problem??
>
>Thanks,
>
>~Eric~
>'89 Westy
>Vancouver, BC

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