Reading about kombi suction in engines i wondered why my engine had gaping holes areound it..... was at the wreckers this morning and i was looking at a kombi with a engine still in it and i saw a this foamish thing aroung so i brought it... am i supposed to have one???

here is the foamish stuff

yeah mines got the foam stuff round it

Yes it most definately needs it, otherwise the fan is sucking in hot air from the engine, not good for cooling.
use the old one and buy a new one when you can afford it, it has to go all the way around end to end to be effective and do it's job.
Rob......

thanks for the advice..... its all installed now .... hopefully that will kepp jennie cool

this is probably one of the most important componants of the VW enfgine set up. EEEEEEKKKK! driving around without it in EEEEKKK!!!! fish