I think, when extra gas is being burnt up by the catalytic converter, it
overheats to red hot, and the area is affected too.
Zoltan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl Ploessl" <karl.ploessl@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 11:29 AM
Subject: Re: Pic of melting wiring in my Air cooled '81. How's yours? ---
:^)

> there is supposed to be a heat shield above the muffler. Mine was (is
> still)
> missing. Do you still have yours?
>
>
> On 3/3/08, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Ken.
>>
>> Nope. No cat.
>>
>> I don't know what caused it. FWIW,  the section of wires in question,
>> was above the oil filler. It was secured properly.
>>
>> It looks like long term wear, as the cover around the wires was hard
>> in that section and felt crackly. This is why I had a closer look. I
>> don't think it was subjected to a sudden "blast" of heat.
>>
>> Maybe just heat from the engine over time?
>>
>> Ah I remember now.
>>
>> The perimeter seal that goes around the engine tin, was hinky when I
>> bought it. I replaced it soon after buying the van. Maybe heat was
>> leaking up from exhaust and hitting that section of wires.
>>
>> Hmmmm........
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 9:23 AM, Ken Lewis <kdlewis@northstate.net> wrote:
>> > Neil,
>> >  What do you think caused it? Was it above the catalytic converter?
>> >  Ken Lewis
>> >  http://neksiwel.20m.com/
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >  ----- Original Message -----
>> >  > Hi all.
>> >  >
>> >  > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/rearwiring
>> >  >
>> >  > Like the page says. I repaired mine with solder, shrink tube, tape,
>> >  > tape and cover.
>> >  >
>> >  > No big deal. I'm sure others have seen it before, but thought I'd
>> post
>> >  > for those who haven't inspected the wiring in their engine bay.
>> >  >
>> >  > Cheers,
>> >  >
>> >  > Neil.
>> >  >
>> >  > --
>> >  > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>> >  >
>> >  > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>> >  > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>> >  >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>>
>> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Karl
> 1981 VW Westy "Jenny"
> 2000 VW Jetta GLS VR6
> Wilmington, DE
>
>
> --
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> 10:01 AM
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>