ew928

Haven't had a chance to get the leaking re-circulation valve fixed yet. With warming summer temps, I wanted to manually close the valve so the HVAC recirculates cabin air instead of bringing in warm outside air.
I've heard a few suggest grabbing a twig and jamming the flap door closed. Figured I try something different and see if this would work.

Mutilate one household plastic coat hangar.


Take the plastic cut-off rod and push through the grate to close the re-circulation flap.


Sorry about the lousy cellphone camera pictures.
IT is in the passenger side footwell that one finds the re-circulation flap. Above the fuse/relay board.

Time to hunt for a gray plastic hangar. The piece I cut was just a tad short and didn't fully close the flap.

SeanR

I am so about to do this, and I've changed all of my actuators, outside temp unit and still can't get it to work properly. So I was going to stick a small coolant hose up there, but I like this idea.

Nice, ghetto way of doing it and I approve.

ew928

I am tired and sick and sick and tired of VACUUM leaks.
It sucks!

SeanR

The only thing you can do is do what I did. Rip out all the old stuff and replace it with new stuff.

There are several write ups on how and what to do, and it can take some time, but worth it. Even if you are like me, and can't get it to all work like me.

BC

Don't forget that all these flaps have old foam that is no longer sealing. I replaced all the foam as well in these flaps - Just from the garage test it seems to make a difference.

ew928

That can explain all the little specks of black foam I see littering my carpet under the flap. Thanks, Brendan.

BC

Its nasty. Gets everywhere. Ever wonder why the stream of air sometimes seems dusty? Its because thats also being thrown into the air stream from the center HVAC box as it deteriorates.

Anyone know if the recirc flap is available new? Because while the HVAC box comes apart, this recirc doesn't really. I cut the grating away, but still needed my wife's small hands to really get the new foam to seat properly. I don't think many would do what I did.

SeanR

LOL, got Dani on the phone, he just did the same thing

SeanR

The only concern I have on this issue, is over extending the diaphram in the actuators. I'd hate to tear one of those because they are not exactly easy to get to and replace.

Herman K

Best way to go is cutting the recirculating box and replace the foam on both sides of the flapper. I'll post some pictures of the way I did it.

BTW; >OT< Sean are you giving my car the proper exercises?

Herman Koster
94 GTS

Herman K

These pictures show the method I followed to replace the foam cut and replaced the side panel

SeanR

Do you really want an answer to that?

hehehe.

I'll take it out for a nice long drive tomorrow if ya trust me with your sweet GTS. How's the trip going?