>
> A list member p-mailed and suggested that rain may have entered the engine
> compartment through the air vent on the side of the van. Considering that
> the wind was strong enough to force water through the pop-top fabric, was
> easily 40 mph, and the downpour was actually a side-pour (rain was blowing
> horizontally), is it possible that buckets might have gone in the vent?
> Perhaps causing the engine to just turn over and over but not catch?
>
> The weather side was the driver's side, i.e., the side of the engine with
> the ECU, the ignition coil.
>

I could see that happening. Not so much from water  RUNNING down the vent,
but from water coming in as a fine mist, blasted in and down the air intake.
The intake comes out right next to the coil, with nothing actually stopping
air (and its liquid contents) from coming right in. On the road, any water
that gets in just runs out, and any fine mist STAYS a fine mist due to the
engine heat; but parked, in high wind.... Yep. I could definitely see that
happening.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"