Re: More fumes

["Alan W. Presley" <awpresley@earthlink.net>]

Ok, here are some general stabs from a blind perspective (I don't know
your expertise with T-3's or the condition of your T-3):

1)  How is your rear hatch seal?  Missing pieces/chunks?

2)  How is your engine lid seal?  Same way?

3)  How are your heater boxes?  Have you checked them? How are the flaps
INSIDE the boxes? Do you know how to work the heater control levers? 

Here's my thinking:

Opening your windows causes an airflow through your car.  The open
window causes a vacuum pulling air through ANY opening (dash vents or
any other hole in your car, broken seals included).

This is also the best way to heat up the interior of your car in the
winter. Yes, open the window to get warmer.  This allows the air from
the heaterbox to flow into the cabin.  The air inside must escape or you
would be driving a balloon down the road.  Check in your owner's manual
(if you have one), VW states this in the book in the heater control
section. (not the part about the balloon, though)

SO,... if the seals are bad, exhaust will try to enter the back door,
lid, whenever there is vacuum from the windows.  Same is true of the
heaterboxes.  Leaky, interior rusted, heaterboxes will allow fumes
around the flaps and into the cabin.  Badly sealing control flaps will
alow this even if you know how to operate the flaps.

Like I said, these are some blind stabs in the dark though.

Hope you find it.

Big Al
awpresley@earthlink.net

*********************************


Dave wrote:
> 
> Our '71 SQB has had persistent fume problems when the windows are opened.  There
> are some rust holes on the inner fenders behind the drivers' door.  I've patched
> the holes on he passengers side pretty well, but I'm wondering if they are the
> source of the leak.
> 
> How would the fumes get from the back of the car all the way up the back seat?
> Why only when the windows are open?  I periodically check the exhaust
> connections for leaks (black soot), but even with leaks (if there are some) how
> are the fumes getting in the car?
> 
> It looks like I'll have the work on the driver's side holes this weekend,
> assuming the weather stays dry, and hopefully that will seal things up a little
> better.
> 
> Dave