Hot air on the interior

BP1

BP1

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While driving with the windows mostly up and the vent closed with the AC on I feel a blast of hot air on my hand which is resting on the brake lever. With the windows down I do not feel it. This is obviously working against the AC. What is the source and how do I stop it?

Thanks...BOB
 
Bob, The AC air is only recirulated, so it should not change the interior pressure (other than that caused by temp differences). Do you notice the hot air with the windows up and the AC off?

There is supposed to be a 1" thick foam pad sandwiched between the transmission shifter mount and the underside of the car (to seal the large opening where the shifter sticks up through the tunnel). Maybe this pad has disintegrated and is letting the warmed air from the exhaust seep in.
 
The hot air is still there with the AC off. I unzipped the shifter boot and saw the yellow foam you referred to. There is a definite split in it in front of the shifter. Would this be Part # 23411200936-Sound Absorber ? Thanks Sven....BOB
 
the part should be in one piece, with no splits
reason for the split might be an incorrect installation introducing the part through the hole as it is now everything mounted in the car
how should the part be installed, well, you should put down the gear box so you would be able to insert the foam part through the gear box lever and then up again, pretty major work for what you intend to do
if the foam is disintegrated and you want to replace it you might try with the gear box in place, you produce a cut in the new foam part and you introduce it through the hole, prior to this remove as much as possible of the actual foam using your fingers to pry it up or to push it down
IMHO, if you place the split rearwards and if you use a new part foam intact, there is not a very big difference with the correct insertion of the complete part,
...another question is if that is really the source of your problems, have you checked that is really the entrance of hot air while driving ?
 
I replaced mine when the transmission was completely out of the car. Easy then.

In your case, you could lower the transmission/engine until the oil pan rests on the front subframe. You may need to disconnect the exhaust. this should give you some extra space to remove the old foam and install the new foam from inside the cabin. Slip it over the shifter and through the leather boot and then carefully work it through the hole in the tunnel. Lifting the trans/engine back up should pinch the foam in place.

good luck
 
Problem solved!

Though replacing the foam sound absorber would be the proper thing to do, that is not an option at this time. So, I inserted and glued in pieces of foam rubber into the split and other openings caused by the split. No more blast of hot air. I took the car for a 100 mile drive in 85-90 degree weather with the AC on. The interior temp was probably 5-10 degrees cooler than what I have experienced in the past. :-))....BOB
 
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