Vents in door and door jamb

[djnolan]

I have a question about the vents in the door and door jamb?. Just wondering what their purpose is. I have an exhaust smell sometimes with the recirculate on, and wonder if there is some type of vacuum created by these vents, and could they be pulling in exhaust through the hatch seal or something?

[fiat22turbo]

I'm not sure of the reasoning behind those vents, but I can't imagine they would have any impact on gas fumes coming into the vehicle.

The air flow around the back of these cars cause a lot of exhaust fumes to be blown into the hatch if there is a bad seal there. I can say emphatically, do not drive these cars with the hatch open, you will get smoked out pretty quickly.

It helps to angle the exhaust tip far to the driver's side, but it looks funny. A side exit exhaust is another option, but again maybe not what you'd like.

If you're getting fumes, check your hatch glass and frame for separation or issues with the seals and gaskets.

[mhariush]

I sealed up my hatch with some translucent silicone where it had separated from the frame on the top on my old car. That stopped a little wind noise and exhaust, and water from pouring in when I washed the car.

[CHICKS]

The vents are to push air through the doors and body panels to keep them dry, thus preventing rust. My source is a 1986 Porsche 944 product knowledge workbook.

[alan6272]

Exhaust could also come in from missing plugs from the spare tire area and the seal around the key whole for the rear hatch.

[djnolan]

It is possible that when the hatch frame and glass separate the frame elongates and no longer seals tight in the rear. And it may also be on recirculate some type of vacuum is formed that pulls in smog around the hatch or elsewhere.

One thing I did find is home depot adhesive foam weatherstripping can be used to improve the hatch seal as shown here:

[Gawernator]

only944.com has a inexpensive hatch seal

[djnolan]

Cheap or inexpensive, none of the hatch seals meet the ridge on the hatch to make a good seal. See the depression in the foam from the hatch?

[BTERRY1]

Inexpensive. Very happy with the one I recived from kyle.

[Gawernator]

I seem to have a good seal with Kyle's hatch seal, it was almost difficult to install it was such a tight form-fit

[djnolan]

I have one of his seals but since my hatch is stretched and separated my car is not a good candidate. Do you have a rebuilt hatch? Can you crawl in the back and check the seal in the corners and along the back?

[v2rocket_aka944]

maybe exhaust leak under the shifter area?

i dont know about fumes coming in thru the hatch, ive driven my car maybe 30 miles around town and on highways with no hatch at all (or windows, or sunroof, or bumpers...) and didn't notice anything...