Another possibility is condensation.

If the distributor cap post in question is the "highest" one (since the
disc. is at an angle) it may be that scant condensation is rising to that
point, and cause arcing/corrosion. This possibility would probably be more
prevalent in vans that are driven fewer than 20 miles from a cold start,
since the condensation would rarely completely 'cook off' in these vans.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

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-----Original Message-----
From:   Cooper, Jonathan R. [SMTP:cooper@BQMLAW.COM]
Sent:   Tuesday, January 04, 2000 8:57 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: try again

I have had this happen too, even after changing plugs. I do not have a
rough
idle. I finally gave up thinking about it and it does not seem to affect
performance. Any thoughts would solve this old mystery.

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Fall [mailto:cpfall@UCDAVIS.EDU]
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2000 9:49 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: try again

Ok - the interesting question got lost in the fluff of my last question...

There's a lot of mechanical know-how here and I am wondering if anyone has
seen anything like the following:

Minor tune up on recently purchased 83.5 Westy. Noticed one terminal on the
distributor cap was highly corroded (front left cyl nearest driver).
Replaced the cap with a new one ~ one month ago. Checked again yesterday
and
the same terminal has started to corrode. Anyone seen anything like this?
The wires do not appear to be cracked...

Chris Fall

cpfall@ucdavis.edu