Rear Vents: How do they work?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34
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Rear Vents: How do they work?
Hello all! So I was looking behind my seats last night and noticed that the rear interior vents had flaps on them that look like they are controlled with vacuume. I also noticed that the previous owner stuck a rag and a wad of paper tolwels in between them to keep them open. Any ideas as to why some one would do this, and is there any diagram online some where that shows where vacume comes from? Been snooping around the car learning finding all the little problems...........
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 344
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From: Washington DC
Great question. I have been curious about what they actually do, when they move, and why they are there. Also curious if they are the source of the water that tends to collect in the back of my vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
They are part of the "astro ventilation" system for non-AC cars.
Air is allowed into the cabin via the windshield vent and flows down to the kick panels at your feet which is controlled by the "close" lever on the shifter console and the vent ***** at either side of the dash. This incoming air is allowed to exit through the vents in the rear storage area setting up the "astro" ventilation. When you activate the heater a vacuum signal is sent to the door to close it keeping the heat in the cabin.
On AC cars these rear vents are sealed shut.
As for the water leak, there is a drain for the vents which can be seen if you look down into the exits on the rear deck. If the drains plug with leaves etc then the water will spill into your rear compartment.
Air is allowed into the cabin via the windshield vent and flows down to the kick panels at your feet which is controlled by the "close" lever on the shifter console and the vent ***** at either side of the dash. This incoming air is allowed to exit through the vents in the rear storage area setting up the "astro" ventilation. When you activate the heater a vacuum signal is sent to the door to close it keeping the heat in the cabin.
On AC cars these rear vents are sealed shut.
As for the water leak, there is a drain for the vents which can be seen if you look down into the exits on the rear deck. If the drains plug with leaves etc then the water will spill into your rear compartment.
Last edited by Hammerhead Fred; Feb 28, 2006 at 01:41 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Interesting. Are the "close" levers supposed to stay in the closed position? When I push on them, they just snap back into the original position.
So, when I turn on the heater, they should close?
Thanks!
So, when I turn on the heater, they should close?
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by mensch53
Interesting. Are the "close" levers supposed to stay in the closed position? When I push on them, they just snap back into the original position.
So, when I turn on the heater, they should close?
Thanks!
So, when I turn on the heater, they should close?
Thanks!
While we are at it, your fan will also run all of the time - this is normal.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: edinburg VA.
No, when you close the vents on the console they should remain closed. The clips that hold the cable are probley not holding it, and letting it spring around like the throttle on a push mower without the clip to hold the outside cable firm so the inside cable can slide back and forth. Does that make sense? Kinda like hand brakes on a bicycle. The inside cable won't push or pull unless the outside one is secured.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
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From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
About the water leaks. There is a nipple and hose on each vent compartment that exits into the wheel well. I think its a 5/8" diameter. If the hose is broken you will get water inside.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 1
These rubber tubes are lotsa fun to replace. You can find them by reaching waaay up and above the rear wheel well. If the tubes feel brittle or rotted, then you've found your problem. I got a replacement pair from Doc Rebuild but could not get the flanges to properly connect to the outside of the wheel well. Ultimately used silicone sealent to bond the tubes to the original flanges and taped them in place until the seal cured. Prepare to go where no man has gone before, or get your nine year old son to crawl back there to work on it for you with the promise that he can do the same with his son someday, too!
Oops, forgot to to clarify that you're working inside the car behind the seats doing all these great acrobatics.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
This is from my 69 owners manual:
"The "one-way" check valves,mounted in the vertical wall of the luggage compartment assist positive air flow by reducing internal vehicle body pressure.The valves direct exhaust air outside through grilles located in the rear deck".
"Whenever the heater temperature control is moved toward the "hot" position,the rear deck air exhaust doors close to retain the heated air in the vehicle".
Something that I don't have to fuss with as my heater is by-passed...
"The "one-way" check valves,mounted in the vertical wall of the luggage compartment assist positive air flow by reducing internal vehicle body pressure.The valves direct exhaust air outside through grilles located in the rear deck".
"Whenever the heater temperature control is moved toward the "hot" position,the rear deck air exhaust doors close to retain the heated air in the vehicle".
Something that I don't have to fuss with as my heater is by-passed...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Originally Posted by mensch53
Interesting. Are the "close" levers supposed to stay in the closed position? When I push on them, they just snap back into the original position.
So, when I turn on the heater, they should close?
Thanks!
So, when I turn on the heater, they should close?
Thanks!