I would not seal off any air scoops.  They lower you engine compartment
temps quite a bit.  If it gets too hot in there, you shorten the life of the
plastic components and even, yikes!, the water hoses.  Plus the fuel lines,
the electrical wiring and so on.

I am even considering wrapping the exhaust pipes in the fiberglass tape
often used on headers to lower the radiant heat in the engine compartment.
That would be a big help in city driving.   Every little bit helps.

----- Original Message -----
From: The Gunnings <ngunn@landmarknet.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2000 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: Scoop for breather?

> If you are talking about the "Muppet" airscoops, I think they are a design
> carry over from the ole aircooled days.  I could be wrong about this but
it
> seems to me that besides sitting there and looking pretty these vents let
in
> alot of  rainwater.  Giving a better ground for the 1.9 wbx ECU brain,
which
> is up to it's toes in water, might be a small positive benefit (and I am
not
> even sure about that).  This happens to be one of the design features that
I
> really like about the Vanagon design, even if it serves no real purpose,
> anymore.   But I would like to have the option of securing the opening
> against letting in rainwater.  I am thinking that I might be able to make
> some sort of form to make a molded plastic cover that could be applied in
> wet weather.  Any other possible solutions,  I'd love to hear them.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dave Gunning