HELP - Does anyone know what this is called or have one?...

It's the diaphragm which switches between hot air off the right head and cool air from the engine bay, triggered by vacume pressure from the manifold below the carb.

Best I can do.

Anyone know what it's called or have one?

For the moment I've put a self tapper in it to keep it drawing hot air for the winter but I'm about to do a long run to Switzerland and would like it to work as it should!

You can see the diaphragm has been compromised, it's odd, looks like it's been through a belt sander.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

In all the years I've been playing with old cars I've never known one to work. If it's not causing a problem u wouldn't worry too much. Citroen and Peugeot used to make you do it manually. For a French system it never went wrong

 

You havent been working with vw's for long enough Birdy, the French make things specifically not to work, VW are a bit more civilised than the garlic eating yellow bellied surrender monkeys; these things work a treat and are usually indestructible, unless you stick them in a belt sander .

When do you need it by? I think I have a couple in the shed, but I can't get in there for a few days. These don't need to much draw to work, can't you just make a temporary fix with gaffer tape or something?

 

Really? It's quite a stiff mechanism, I thought it would need a really good seal.
I've heard of people doing what I've done and having summer an winter settings, and even having a mid way point to tailor for all conditions (French style). O
But I think it's best to have it drawing hot air during the warm up period and obviously switching to cool air to help keep temp low when crushing.
I've got a ferry for next Thursday evening, would be great if you could have a look!

I guess you loose this hole system when using a fancy air filter or duel carbs?

 

Yeah maybe some hot glue and ice lolly sticks would do it!

I'll get my bluepeter on tomorrow!

 

it wasn't a belt sander that did the damage, it was your fan belt. the plastic bit that the screw which holds it in place goes through breaks and it falls out off your air box from engine vibration. i've had one cut in half by the belt. The vacuum thingie should be connected to the port that has the heat sensor in the box, some people just hook it up anywhere.

 

I don't know how detachable that bit is but I'm sure my old scirocco and golf had the same thing, Try a breakers?