sure, air is mostly a insulator, and on the TSDz2 motor, they found that there was a poor 'thermal path' for the heat to travel to the outside, as the hot bits, did not connect to the metal case well, in this case, the parts of the motor was over heating, as it could not dissapte the heat well, in this case of the TSDz2, it would thermal regulate its self.
After heatsinking pads was added. that came in contact with the case, the issue was fixed, not saying this is happening, just it might still be a possablity till we count out.