I do have a spare. Thanks for the tip!  I bet my coil is the original.

I have seen threads on vwvortex regarding cracks on the OEM coil (age
related). I see what you mean. Too much heat would affect cracks on an
old coil.

Neil.

On Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Tom Lambas <twlambas@gmail.com> wrote:
> A couple of times over the years I've had an ignition coil fail after
> a period of driving.� After letting everything cool down for a while
> it would work again. Got one you could swap in?
>
> Tom L
>
> On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 2:18 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hey all.
>>
>> Had a great trip in and around OR. Attended the WetWestie Tinfoil hat
>> event (meteor shower) at Sheep Bridge, took off to the High and Dry
>> Blue Grass Festival, then enjoyed some great nights at other US forest
>> service CG's. Other than my cat, which snapped off at beginning of
>> trip..... � ;)
>>
>> Driving home, pedal to metal for short burst (less than 1 mile), going
>> 70 MPH up hill, van died. One of my worst fears is having my van die
>> on the freeway, but thankfully had room to pull over. It had been
>> running fine otherwise.
>>
>> My current theories as to why it died involve possible excessive heat
>> in engine bay, due to ambient heat, my tubbed engine lid, fuel lines
>> close to tubbed portion, etc. That said, the engine coolant temps were
>> always "normal"; �temp gauge needle almost always at 12:00, van did
>> not overheat at any time.
>>
>> Theory 1 : �(far fetched)
>>
>> Non stock positioned fuel hoses got "heated" up from engine block
>> heat, hotter than normal fuel returned to tank, hotter than normal
>> fuel not cooling fuel pump sufficiently.
>>
>> Theory 2:
>>
>> ECU relay got heated up and opened. ECU, fuel pump, and HO2 relay all
>> in VW black box, but box sits close to coolant "send" hose to rad.
>>
>> Theory 3:
>>
>> on this trip, the cat was welded twice. ECU was NOT disconnected each
>> time. Had read that it's good practice to disconnect ECU if welding
>> the van or parts on van. Could welding have damaged the ECU ?
>>
>> Theory 4:
>>
>> Engine bay temps too high causing hotter than normal air to be drawn
>> in the intake. �(I will be installing my intake snorkel soon!)
>>
>> After it stalled, I checked connections at relays, all good. Tried to
>> hear if fuel pump primed when key turned, but free way too noisy.
>> After van sat with engine cover off, it started. Pulled off to quieter
>> parking lot. Could hear pump prime, but priming didn't sound as it
>> usually did. Regardless, it fired up almost every time. When it didn't
>> fire, the check engine light was not on when key turned to "ign. on".
>> This is why I suspect ECU relay.
>>
>> After the event and subsequent testing, it ran fine. I kept speeds at
>> ~ 55 mph. When ambient temps cooler, ran it at ~ 60 MPH. It ran just
>> fine, with no starting issues for remaining 200 miles or so.
>>
>> < scratches head >
>>
>> All I can figure is that the hotter ambient temps and higher speeds
>> affected something. Maybe the fuel pump is on it's last legs? I didn't
>> bypass the FP relay as it eventually started and ran fine. When
>> running, fuel pump sounded normal.
>>
>> Thoughts on my theories or tips on any other causes are much appreciated!
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil n
>>
>> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly �http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>>
>> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" �http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>>
>>
>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
>

-- 
Neil n

65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly �http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" �http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines