Inline engine T3 vehicles have the snorkel on the left, pulling from the
very top of the left pillar. In USA/CA models this started in 82 inline
engine models. When waterboxers later came out they first got the
primitive version on the right and then with 2.1 in 86 they got one that
pulled air from the very top like the earlier inline engines, but on the
right. The Syncro used the same upper piece but also had a dust trap
down low before the air cleaner and a rubber coupling for better sealing
to the air cleaner box.

Mark

David Beierl wrote:
>
> All Vanagons as they come from the factory take intake air from the
> right-side pillar vent.  Syncros have a snorkel arrangement that
> allows them to ford streams, but all of them have the intake closed
> off from the engine compartment, either by a cardboard partition on
> the 1.9l or a plastic one on the 2.1l.  All automobiles make some
> effort to obtain intake air from the outside.
>
>