80 replies to this topic

[waverunner]

Glad you raised this one again. I was reminded that I hadn't done anything about it when I opened the vents yesterday morning to clear the windscreen (for the first time in months) and got showered in all sorts of crap. I used an air con filter cut to size as Ricky suggested (permanently borrowed from work ) and the dashboard end came off fairly easily working around a couple of tightly fitted pipes. Then I discovered ('cos I hadn't read the thread properly) that the other end isn't actually attached to anything. It just sort of dangles somewhere in the general direction of the blower unit so I decided to pull the whole pipe out to clear any muck out. I then began to wonder where this bit of ali ducting had been before someone attached it to my car. The state of it was awful with gouges in it and very out of shape. Trying to get the bottom end back somewhere near where it belongs isn't easy and to be honest this type of ducting went out ages ago - My boat has a ducted heating system and I replaced all this old-type ducting years back with insulated and far more pliable composite stuff. So I'm now going to replace this duct with some decent stuff as soon as I can lay my hands on a short length. Should make a huge difference with the efficiency of the heater as well as being much easier to handle.

[Purebob]

Skiddo, for future reference once you have your 'collar' in place, remotely screwing the pipe onto the boss becomes and easy fingerless task. Then the dash end fits on easily. You're right re: the pressure loss though. Its still strong at the dash end of teh silver pipe, its my guess the flaps behind the dash aren't seating fully so you get the power dissipated. Its much better though isn't it? It even clears the windscreen sometimes !

[speedyK]

Was just checking the trickle charger on the Speedster this morning and discovered why my dash has inexplicably (until today ) been covered in cr@p again in the last few months.

The white popsock I had placed over the air feed pipe is no longer there.

Now that certainly did not happen by itself. It is clear to me that the grease monkeys at the local Opel garage had a good look over this rare (for them probably first ever) car when they did my timing chain in Autumn and the fcukwits obviously removed my modification. The fact that they has no authorisation to do anything other than the agreed procedures clearly did not stop them from taking the initiative. Initiative is normally a laudable characteristic, but with the small but important proviso that the person in question should preferably have an IQ somewhat higher than a mollusc (no offence to molluscs intended ) Also did not find it necessary to mention it to me.

GM garages – so bad you could cry. On the basis of all the experiences reported on this forum (with a couple of notable exceptions in the UK that help give us the will to go on living), that would seem to be an honest, representative ad line for them.

I've refitted a popsock with less excess material aroung the edge, so next time the car has to see the inside of a GM establishment, there is more chance that it will come out in one piece without unrequested retrograde actions being taken.

[laidback50]

Hey guys, thanks a lot. I haven't laughed like this for a long time Stockings and drainpipe !!!!!!!!! This is too much. I reckon we could put together a pretty good stage act based on the fun stories of living with a VX This car just gets better. It drives beautifully, always makes me smile (& swear a bit sometimes I suppose), and now delivers a really lively, intelligent and good Sunday night reading web site. I think I prefer mine in stockings. I like stockings . Not to wear personally , you understand Not sure about the drainpipe though. Tell me again, where am I supposed to stick it?? It's no good, I'm laughing again. I've got to go and lay down in a darkened room now.

Edited by laidback50, 11 January 2004 - 07:21 PM.

[Mutt & Jeff]

Try a used Bounce sheet, fits a treat & makes your car smell like a tumble dryer for that full 'I've just climbed into a tumble dryer' effect I change mine every 2 weeks...it's black every time! I find the filtration better than a stocking & it doesn't choke up the system like my foam pop-shield did. Oh, make sure it's a USED sheet or you'll die from the intense fumes!!

[streetboy]

... for that full 'I've just climbed into a tumble dryer' effect.

[TangoAlpha]

Anyone recommend the best material for the filter? I've been a piece from an old pair of tights but it restricts the airflow too much

[Purebob]

I've found that ANYTHING restricts the airflow too much. I just vacuum the dust, insects and small dogs up now.

Edited by Purebob, 17 March 2004 - 01:44 PM.

[caleebra]

vacuum... small dogs

To digress slightly, why do people bother with tiny dogs that are rather like rats on leads?!?

Edited by caleebra, 17 March 2004 - 06:06 PM.

[Purebob]

At Nice Airport last Saturday every old nag and 40-watt starlet had a shivering, beribboned canine in a specially built handbag. My daft border collie wouldn't fit in hand luggage so perhaps the rich precious birds like these teeny critters to carry on their flights with 'em? Dunno. Personally I've never met a tiny dog with a nice personality, but I'm always willing to find one.

[laidback50]

You try finding a rat with a nice personality then !!!

[Purebob]

Oddly, LB50, my sister in law has two very friedly pet rats. They come when called and eat food fom your fingers without biting you. I'd snap their diseased necks, of course, but friendly..yep. Must say so !

[exjagman]

Anyone recommend the best material for the filter? I've been a piece from an old pair of tights but it restricts the airflow too much

I've found that ANYTHING restricts the airflow too much. I just vacuum the dust, insects and small dogs up now.

I did mine recently as I got fed up of insects dotted on my dashboard.

I used an off cut from a window insect cloth filter mesh. It does not restrict the air flow at all, BUT it still lets dust through. Got the window kit from the door-door Betterware people. Being located in an insect infested part of the world, bugs drive me mad, so the window kits are a god-send!

As an alternative, the material used in those food pyamid covers would be just as good (maybe better).

[Gedi]

Is mine the only car that came with a filter fitted as standard from the factory???

[exjagman]

newer cars have them fitted

[caleebra]

Anyone have a part number for this factory fitted filter? I fitted a bit of polishing cloth on mine to temporarily prevent the insect invasions but now I can fart more air pressure than the vents produce

[njc11]

Ive just read this thread and been out and bought a filter.... Went to the local electrical appliance shop, Modern Aids in Hazel Grove... and bought some Cooker Hood Grease Filters 23"x18" (they go in the extractor fan above the hob) more than enough!! its ideal i reckon.. It cost £6.60 I'll let you know how i get on!! Hope its the end of all the crap that fly's through the vents!! Cheers Nick

[jneill]

It'll be interesting to see how you get on with that. I have a feeling it might be too restrictive on the airflow. I've given up for the time being and have closed all the dash vents for the summer...

Edited by jneill, 25 June 2004 - 01:22 PM.