That's your knuter (pronounced kah-noo-ter) valve.  The lid should always be
on, and your crank case breather hose always firmly attached.

I'd be glad to take a picture of my engine compartment and email it to you
for comparison.

Chris.

----- Original Message -----
From: Dart 330 <dart330@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 7:28 PM
Subject: 85 engine question

> Hello, I just purchased an 85 Vanagon Westy the other day, nice upgrade
from
> my 74 bus. I drove it 8 hours home yesterday, ran great, no leaks. This
> morning I was showing my uncle the engine and we noticed a lid to
something
> had come off. I haven't gotten my bentley from UPS yet, so I am not sure
> what it is. It sits just left of the alternator and a few inches to the
> right of the distributor. It is a black cylinder on end, about the same
size
> as the coil on my 74. It has a hose going to the air intake and has a soft
> rubber thing on top that I can push easily. The lid had been held on with
> glue or silicon and just kind of came loose. I would like to know what the
> cylinder is and how should I reattach the lid?
>
> Thanks,
> Nathan
> 85 Westy
> 74 Bus
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