>i've got a few metal engine compartment lids is anyone is interested.. they
>fit ALL 80-'91 vanagons.   if your van should have an engine fire, the metal
>lids will buy you more time to put the fire out by preventing the flames from
>entering the interior..  wheras the plastic engine lids melt instantly,
>caving down into the engine compartment, engulfing your interior in flames..
>i've seen it happen, and the vans were totalled.
>
>could be a major determining factor in keeping your van from being totalled,
>in the event of an engine fire.

That's why I ordered one from Germany with my G50 trans. Especially
important with a modified van full of uninsurable alterations, as mine will
be (electronics, adapted parts from other manufacturers' vehicles etc).
Even if the engine-bay electrics are toast, the rest of the van should be
okay, and the engine-bay can be repaired. Hmmm.... maybe I'd better locate
my Link management system in the cargo bay after all.

Might be an idea to replace the neoprene rubber lid seal with a fireproof
(or at least resistant) silicone rubber, some of which are used for molding
molten metals.

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
ph   64 (3) 473-8863
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
84 VW Caravelle GL (to be fitted with SVX engine & Porsche G50 trans) RWD
87 Corolla 1.8 DX CE80 diesel sedan FWD
89 Corolla 1.8 DX CE96 diesel van/wagon FWD
89 Corona 2.0 D Select CT170 diesel sedan FWD
92 Toyota Estima Lucida (=narrow-body Previa) 2.2 turbodiesel RWD
In a world without walls or fences, who needs windows or gates?