Asbestos
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:03 am
There is much fear surrounding the word, but as long as the fibers are compressed/contained/sealed then there is little concern. But when the fibers become loose, friable then there is the risk of inhalation.
Asbestos is used on VWs in the brake shoes, the insulating ring around the accordion heater tubes, and where the manifold heat riser meets the tin. be sure to check these areas when doing maintenance in the area. If the insulating ring is solid, don't worry about it. But if it's spongy or shedding fibers then it must be carefully removed and replaced. My rearmost top tin had a shredded spongy ring. I soaked it in Simple Green (like the rest of the tin I was degreasing), scraped the gray mush out with a screwdriver and wrapped it in an old rubber glove and tossed it with the trash.
If you are the paranoid sort, you can seal the rings with paint or cyanocrylate adhesive (super glue), or remove them entirely. I only removed the one that was disentegrating, the other I left alone.
I'm going to try to replace the missing ring with fiberglass sealed in place with C.A. we'll see how that goes...
Asbestos is used on VWs in the brake shoes, the insulating ring around the accordion heater tubes, and where the manifold heat riser meets the tin. be sure to check these areas when doing maintenance in the area. If the insulating ring is solid, don't worry about it. But if it's spongy or shedding fibers then it must be carefully removed and replaced. My rearmost top tin had a shredded spongy ring. I soaked it in Simple Green (like the rest of the tin I was degreasing), scraped the gray mush out with a screwdriver and wrapped it in an old rubber glove and tossed it with the trash.
If you are the paranoid sort, you can seal the rings with paint or cyanocrylate adhesive (super glue), or remove them entirely. I only removed the one that was disentegrating, the other I left alone.
I'm going to try to replace the missing ring with fiberglass sealed in place with C.A. we'll see how that goes...