Should I be able to see through the side vents

[99miata]

Hello-

Just got my car back last week from a dealer oil change (04 S). I happen to be washing the car, and I peered into the side vents - the driver side has a screen behind it. The passenger side, however, does not have one, and I think I can see clear through to the engine. Is this correct? I somehow doubt it, since the opening looks the same as the driver side. If it should have it, the next question is there any reason this would be removed during a yearly service, which was basically an oil change and a brake fluid flush (car has 10k). I just wanted to know whether I should blame the dealer for this.

Thanks.

Edited May 5, 2008 by 99miata

[RFM]

It is normal, the left is the engine air intake to the air filter with the water screen, the right is open to vent the engine room, you can see the fan.

[Tool Pants]

That is the way it is on a 2003-2004. The screen is to keep cigarette butts out of the intake. The other vent is for the engine compartment cooling fan and it does not have a screen.

[99miata]

Thanks for the info! Very helpful.

That is the way it is on a 2003-2004. The screen is to keep cigarette butts out of the intake. The other vent is for the engine compartment cooling fan and it does not have a screen.

[blue2000s]

Porsche added a screen to the intake vent in 2003? Can I just add the screen to my 2000 or would I have to replace the entire grill?

Edited May 6, 2008 by blue2000s

[Delusionary]

I don't even think you can replace the entire grill. As I understand it, the air vents were moved and reshaped for the facelift in 2003. It seems to me, though, that putting a screen behind the earlier intake wouldn't be too hard. It looks to me like the earlier intake strakes were thicker, though, and since they're black instead of color-coded, a screen would probably be harder to see than on the later cars.

I think the earlier cars (but not the earliest ones) had an intake snorkel to deal with the whole a-flaming-cigarette-lights-the-air-filter-on-fire issue, and also to avoid sucking water into the engine.

On a related note, I've had my car for five weeks, about two of them drivable, and I gotta say, those vents appear to be a lot more important and functional than they were on, say, my old MR-2. Judging by the amount of rainwater grime and road filth they collect, they seem to be pulling in a lot of air.

On the MR-2 I don't think the intake was actually sealed to the left side, and the right side was just a screen with no fan behind it, so that probably explains it all.

I love my car.