>Dear List,
>
>This morning when I started my '81 Vanagon L, I noticed a foul smelling
>smoke coming from under the vehicle. It appeared to be coming from a
>bulbous fixture just in front of the rear axle. It smells vaguely like
>burning rubber. I've noticed that this only happens when I turn on this
>small knob next to my regular heating controls. It has a small green
>light inside of it and it can be pushed in and turned so that it appears
>to behave like a timer of some sort. I know I probably sound like a
>gibbering idiot who never should have bought something I didn't fully
>understand, but I already love my bus and I'm determined to get it
>working properly so that I can take some trips I've been dreaming of for
>a long time.
>
>Any help appreciated,
>Joe Denison

That bulbous thing is more than foul smelling its a bomb Joe. Don't go
turning that knob till you get it serviced. Actually it is a gas heater and
has been the cause of many fire, and sometimes heat without a fire.

Seriously - Get it looked at before you try it again.
>

Alan Pickersgill
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
'85 Transporter (modified as camper) 183,000km