is this normal or has something had a meltdown in the smugglers box?
 

Whilst working on something entirely different I decided to open the smugglers box for the first time.

This is what I found....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313437782.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313437806.jpg

It is soft like tar. Is it some kind of wrapping or is it the remains of a piece of plastic that got very hot indeed?

Also, what are these fuel lines running to? Pump is on the underside right?

Any info appreciated.

That is normal and the "fuel lines" are your air conditioning lines. The goey stuff insulates your expansion valve for the A/C

That is 100% normal. Do not clean it up!

In fact if it were mine, I would add some more to get 100% coverage.

Chit, I thought it was an alien life-form!

thanks very much for clearing that up. I didnt do anything with it. Do you know what the product is that is supposed to be on there? I could order some up and goop it on.

Glad its normal.

Must be a record, took 1 minute to get a straight answer there! Thanks!

ok, next question.

in the top photo, you can see a black wire running out the top of the photo which contains a red/white and a green/white wire. On the end of the two wires, there are connectors with rubber boots on them. They are not connected to anything. Nor can I see what they would be attached to ?

Any thoughts?

What year is the car?

It could be for the relay or the temperature switch.

What is this insulation material called?

Thanks,

Doyle

I think it is called "cork tape" or "a/c tar tape"

Expansion Valve Covering.
 

Press Tight Tape.

Andyt111-how about a few more close-up pics of those wires.

I checked my factory manual, and could not come up with anything.

good luck,

Gerry

I'll snap another pic soon.

The car is an 88.

Thanks for naming the product. As for the wires, everything on the car works, I havn't noticed anything not working. They just look like they maybe once had a purpose.

There are only two wires?

If they're hanging out in space around the steering rack, I was told they were for the alarm horn (something I don't have). Same deal, 1 pair of F spades w/ boots - but I didn't get the color.

link: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/588853-what-these-wires-pic.html

Thats them. I bet thats what they are for.

Thanks all - I appreciate the quick answers.

It's actually called Presstite

http://www.coburns.com/Images/PDFs/vk_PT1.pdf

So this stuff stops condensation forming which will eventually rust out the smugglers box?

I guess I should re apply this at some point.

throw it in the trash along with the rest of the air conditioning stuff. that's where the little battery goes.

Unless you would rather have air conditioning.