Date:         Sun, 10 Sep 2000 22:00:07 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      Re: Hot air from under passenger seat
Comments: To: Todd Last <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> I noticed hot air coming from under the passenger seat of my '88 Westy,
> and after some investigation, found the source!  It seems there is a
> duct (hole) in the left front of the battery box under the passenger
> seat that is open to under the van.
>
> If your van is missing the top to the battery box, or it does not fit
> well, hot air will migrate up and out under the passenger seat.
>
> Just wanted to report my findings as I believe I saw a previous post
> describing this problem and asking what to do.
>
> I guess the thing to do is to perhaps add some weatherstripping under
> the battery door to seal it better. If you have a sealed battery, like
> an Optima, would it be okay to seal up the vent duct?

As far as I know there is NO truly sealed battery (maintenance free is not
'sealed' in my book... only if you can install a battery on its side is it
truly sealed) that will fit into the starter battery box under the passenger
seat.

Bill

>
> Do the Vanagons with a factory auxiliary battery have a similar vent in
> the battery box under the driver's seat?

In the U.S.... it is my understanding that none of the later model vanagons
except for some of the 'Weekenders' came with a factory auxiliary battery...
my 90 Westy did not and there is no vent in the auxiliary battery box under
the driver's seat... nor is the lid to the box sealed.

Bill


>
> Todd
> '88 Westy
>