In a message dated 03/05/2004 10:03:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
andrew_gies@Cangene.com writes:

I have the Westy interior out of my van,  and while grinding away rust etc.
on the lower seam area - I removed two  plastic caps that cover holes that are
open to one of the main  frame support "beams" (pardon my bad terminology).
This support beam is in turn permanently  open on the underside of the van
body (evidenced by my cleaning water dripping  below the van).  Should I replace
these plastic caps after I complete my  POR15 fix to the area?  I guess there
is an off chance of water splashing  up through these holes from outside, and
a possible vermin issue - any  advice?  Personally - I kinda like the idea of
a permanent  drain in this VERY hard to reach area.
FWIW - these plastic caps are also present  along the base of the inclined
portion of the van underneath the rear seat -  and should be visible when you
raise the  seat.

Andrew, I don't think it's detrimental leaving  those plugs out.  My van has
rusted through in this area to the point that  the caps don't make any
difference.  I keep that area well flooded with  Krown Oil and have never had
problems with vermin or water getting in there from  the bottom.  The area directly
below is the rocker panel which is drained  by two holes which were plugged by
plastic caps from the factory.  Some  vans still have them some not.  Anyways,
these holes are small and offset  from the holes in the floor pan.  No way
vermin could enter and if water  did it would just drain back out.  I think VW
intended the drain holes to  be plugged to prevent water from entering if in
water deep enough to get  in.  The owner was to remove those plugs now and then
to drain any  accumulated water.  Mine are still there.  I do remove them now
and  then to check and spray Krown in there.
Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper  c
amping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
'87 Westy & Lionel  Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com