C3 fumes through dash air inlet

[Mogie Pillay]

Hi

My 1975 C3 (with the A/C removed) under acceleration when hot blows in engine fumes through the dash air inlet. Could a breather be blocked?

Many thanks

[Jack H.]

One thing to check...

is the seal integrity of the A/C box on the engine compartment fire wall. With an A/C car, refrigeration lines from the compressor and to the condensor had to run through the air box to reach the evaporator core. The openings in the air box for these lines were much larger than the physical OD of the refigerant pipes. The size difference was 'plugged' with hard foam rubber to thwart the invasion of under-hood air into the cockpit.

If the A/C has been non-functional for some time, there's no telling how much of what A/C components were removed when the prior owner decided NOT to repair the system. If the evaporator was removed, the refigeration lines in/out may be absent allowing an air path into the cockpit.

Also, check for ALL holes in the firewall to be properly plugged. Some holes are there to accept PIF (push-in fasteners) to hold interior carpet in place and others are there to accept rubber grommets that seal electrical wiring and vacuum line pathways.

[Mike McKown]

Re: One thing to check...

Also check the integrity of the seal at the rear of the hood.