Possibly a frozen brake caliper.  Carefully check the temperature of the wheels (preferably with an infrared gun, and then you can check the disc and caliper) next time it happens. 

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Harry Hoffman
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2014 1:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Metallic burning smell front of van.

Hi Volks,

So, after not having driven the van in a couple of weeks I hop in to go for a ride.
It had rained pretty heavily a day or two prior and while in reverse I found a bit of water come down from the passenger side around the glove box (not sure if this is pertinent but I'd like to solve it).
Get to driving a bit, on a hot day, and all of the sudden I'm smelling what I can only describe as a metallic burning smell. Not unlike that same sort of smell that is produced in a car fire.
Stop and look everything over. Temp is reading its normal mid point, there's plenty of coolant in the reservoir tank. The temp light works on startup by blinking. Switch the air controls from cool to hot and the smell lessens but doesn't completely go away.
What is going on? Is it a radiator issue? I was thinking temp would have gone through the roof if so.
And what's up with the water? Tiniest bit of rust under the pass side windshield but I've not had this happen before.
89 tintop with bostig conversion.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Harry