side vents

84 westy · Post by **84 westy** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 10:43 am

this is going to sound really stupid but you have to understand i am new to the vanning community and want to learn all i can about everything. so here goes. what function do those side vents on my van do. the ones towards the back between the hatch and the side windows. thanks

wbx · Post by **wbx** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 1:47 pm

Those are the fresh air intake for your engine (well... the one on the passenger's side is... the one on the drivers doesn't do a whole ton besides give some air for the whole engine compartment). The actual air intake is kind of sealed up to the duct running from those black vents on the side to the engine compartment. Open up the engine cover and take a look in there. Get familiar with it because you will likely have some problem with it in the future (especially the cooling system).

However, i think if you are going to ask van specific questions, you will find a wider audience on the vanagon.com mailing list. http://gerry.vanagon.com/

Good luck with your '84, mine's a blast.

-Damon

84 westy · Post by **84 westy** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 4:01 pm

thanks alot for the information and fast reply. yesterday i was driving it in my drive way (not old enough to have a license) and within like 5 minutes of driving i smelled a burning rubber smell. so i turned it off and went to the back where it seemed to be coming from. it smelled like it was coming only from the rear driver's side. i will have to take a look but if anyone had a similar experience please explain. thanks alot

dr. no · Post by **dr. no** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 1:16 am

Not much information to go on. How long is your driveway? How fast can you go? Were you sitting still? Where in back did you smell it? You do know the engine is back there. A couple of hints: this is a new topic, don't bury it under this heading (which is in an engine forum, not the van forum); and join the vanagon list.