In a message dated 3/1/04 1:20:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,
napszeerf@YAHOO.COM writes:

> Ive read somewhere that In the event of an engine fire
> the plastic lids have a tendancy to instantly melt and
> collapse into the engine bay. Has anyone out there
> unfortunately had this happen to thier van?
> And, in the event of an engine fire, can anyone guess
> how long does it takes before the fire burns through
> the lid and engulfs the interior? Ive seen a few pics
> of burned vanagons but its always a mystery what
> happened. Does the metal lid allow more time to remove
> and spray engine down with fire repellant? Could metal
> lids ad more danger to the person removing the lid in
> order to spray engine down with fire repellant?
>
> Thanks,
>
> 84' Westy Tiico
>
>

yes!, the metal lids will buy you more time to put out your fire, and keep
the flames from entering the van thru the engine compartment lid.  bottom line -
metal doesnt burn, plastic does.  of course you should CHANGE YOUR FUEL
LINES, thats a given, but in the event of a sudden failure the metal lid will
definately help out. gives you time to run back and shoot your extinguisher up into
your engine compartment from underneath, without having to worry about your
plastic engine lid melting and caving in, allowing flames to instantly engulf
your van's interior. .  i have a metal lid from a aircooled vanagon on my
waterboxer.. AND new fuel lines..  double protection.
once again, metal doesnt burn, plastic does.  make your own decision.
fyi, i have a metal engine lid FS if anyone's interested.
chris