Hi all. I almost always drive my '90 Syncro with the windows open in the
summertime, but one day a few weeks ago it got cold - I rolled them up and
then moved the vent temp slider from all the way cold (left) to all the way
hot (right) - and I noticed that things got quiet all of a sudden. Hmmm...
It turns out that when the vent temp is on cool, there's this rushing or
whooshing sound which comes from behind me - from the rear seat or engine
area. When I slide the temp to warm, it goes away. The sound grows louder
and softer in direct relation to the engine RPM's - i.e., while travelling
at 60MPH on the highway with the temp set on cool, the sound is quite loud,
but if I push the clutch in and coast at the same speed, the sound goes
away. I wonder what's up? It could be that it's normal but because my
windows are usually open or the radio is on I haven't noticed it before.  I
suppose I am guilty of being ignorant about the operation of the cooling
system - it's one area of my van that I haven't explored in-depth - I was
planning to do so this summer when I change the coolant and replace the
thermostat - but as yet I am no expert!

Thanks.

Doug Fitz-Randolph
Yarmouth, ME
dfrandolph@talkam.net
'90 Syncro