Temp2 sensor could have gone bad.  Fuel mixture is way too rich, catalytic
converter is burning the unburned fuel, thats why the heat. I had a similar
problem, also my van intermittently did not start when hot.

Alfred
85 Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Unrau" <eunrau@YAHOO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 12:44 PM
Subject: Loss of power - super hot muffler

> 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