80t-New theory

[Motor Sport Visions Photography]

First off, let me say how saddened I am to hear of your loss Alex. I am
truly glad that you and Dan are okay and didn't get hurt fighting the
fire.

In reading about this I think Javad's latest theory is sound. Back in
January my wife and I bought a 1983 Volvo 245 turbo wagon for $300.00
(aka "project volvo" that has spent more time being her daily driver and
not much project work has happened yet). We bought it with a seriously
blocked catalytic converter. There is a test port that has a bolt to cap
off the hole on the EM on this car. I heard on a volvo forum that
removal of this bolt was a good test for a plugged kitty. In this case
the car ran *much* better with the bolt removed so we left it out for
the 12 or so mile drive home from buying the car. I made it about two
miles. The heat melted a wiring loom at the firewall. No permanent harm
done, blown fuse and some burned insulation is it...but, do not
inderestimate the amount of heat a hole in a turbo car's
manifold/downpipe area can throw off.

I hope that all the thoughts and ideas folks have to help you understand
what happened help to prevent something like this from occuring to you
or someone else in the future. Again, sorry to hear of your loss but
glad to hear you're okay.

Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com