Importance/Function of rear side vents

[Robw_z]

So on my 1990 obviously the passenger side rear side vent is for the engine air intake, and it appears the drivers side lets hot air out and/or cool air in. I'm thinking of a project that would use the little cubby on the passenger side, under the lid, for storage.

What would the adverse affects of blocking flow there be? I'm talking completely.

-Rob

[Ahwahnee]

I will be interested in hearing this as I have always thought they were just vestigial parts left over from the air-cooled days.

[campism]

I believe the A/C evaporator drip tray empties into that area on the right rear corner, so blocking it may promote sloshing sounds and/or rust.

[Classicvibe]

I would not say anything is obvious about those air vents...

I noticed they did a great job of exhausting hot air when I overheated last year...otherwise, all bets are off for their functionality.

I sat down and ate like a dozen wings and a few beers to try to cool myself down after this escapade. Sooooooo cannot wait to ditch that waterboxer.
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On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[Volksaholic]

[13thstreetgti]

[Zero419]

my 10cent oil cooler sits at the bottom of the pass. vent.
cools the oil nicely.
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1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec

[Californio]

Bumping this thread with a question: are the rear vents supposed to suck air in or let the hot air out?

Reason I ask, I was think of installing a fan to direct the hot air up and out, but that doesn't make sense if the vents are sucking it in.

[Vango Conversions]

There has been a bit of discussion on this in the past but I don't think there is a clear consensus.

I believe that while you're underway, the side vents can scoop cool air in and vent out the bottom of the engine compartment. Once you're stopped, the vent allows hot air to vent up and that allows cool air to be drawn in from underneath.

Hood scoops and cowl induction cowls on muscle cars work in the same way, so long as they aren't sealed for ram air, they scoop cool air in when moving and allows hot air out while stopped.

[Timwhy]

I really believe that the scoops I have do bring in more air into the engine compartment.
I can watch my temp gauge lower once I start to drive and stay at a level under the LED. I have
seen some scoops available on a European Ebay site, just wish there were choices avaiable
for use here in North America.

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[The Raven]

The synchro and later 2.1 i think have an air intake that run right up into the passenger vent. I pulled the cardboard baffle and installed this intake on my 1.9. I figured any restriction hit is regained in clean cool air.

[alain riaud]

I own a turbo diesel. The air intake is on the driver side vent.
I put a wesbasto water heater beside the battery on the pasenger side.
It fits perfect.

[Californio]

Well, here's my particular problem.

This is an inline-4, and the air filter can completely blocks the driver side air vent. At the same time, the exhaust headers run out the driver side, so there's a lot of heat generated--enough that I've blown two OME shocks on the driver side (never anywhere else).

So I was thinking of removing the big can air filter, replacing it with a K&N, and putting an updraft fan in there.

But this doesn't make sense if it's supposed to be downdraft while driving, which is what I imagined it is.

A bit OT, but anyone have experience with engine compartment cooling fans?

[Jake de Villiers]

[Californio]

Hm, when I search I find a topic I myself started two years ago...guess I better get up off my rear and do something if it's all that important!

[danfromsyr]

not sure what or why your so hot, or I'm so not..
but the 1.8 I4 in my van handled the Florida 98* temps towing a 2nd van for many many miles w/o running or even really feeling unnecessaryily hot. heck the front coolnat fan doesn't really run that often..
I can see the coolant temp drop when the T-stat opens wide open when you are working it hard as the rush of cool coolant comes in.. (but that's limited till it's all equally hot)

my worse problem is I have a simple and small dune buggy type airfilter inside the engine compartment so far from a cold air intake it's not funny.. I keep meaning to update. (when i get a roun-to'it)

[Racerrojo]

They are good to see if your van is on fire
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Too many vans and mostly all projects

[Californio]

Well, with mine it's a combination of things. No vent on the drivers side, no heat shield over the muffler, and no clearance between the top of the alternator and the deck lid. The deck lid gets so hot you can't touch it, and it melted a noticeable space in the mattress cloth--that hot. Since then, I've put styrofoam insulation on top of the lid, but the heat still escapes into the living area. So I'd like some way to keep it cool under there.

Also, I have the spare tire, gas can, and ladder combination on the back, so it's hard to just pop open the rear door.