The left hand heater vent (inside the car down near the passenger door sill) gets nice and warm from air coming out of that area all the time. Following the vent it goes to a convaluted hose and then into the exhaust. Is this supposed to be warm constantly, can it be swtiched off or re-routed and why does the right hand side vent not do it? Also am I getting slowly poisoned too death by carbon monoxide? Any suggestions or information, appreciated.

What kind of vw?

If it's a beetle, there are either two levers near the hand brake, or a knob on tunnel near the gearstick. These control the heater.

Heat from one side could be a few things, but it could be the heater cable is disconnected, or the hose near the heater box is loose/missing.

If the car smells on exhaust then it's not good, but if you don't smell anything, then it is unlikely to have a exhaust leak so it should be safe.

'75 Super.
Awesome info.
Thanks heaps as I was unsure what those levers between the seats did and will start there.
Killed two birds with one stone. Noice.
I am so knew to Beetles as you can tell and are loving the journey and the support of the like-minded people out there.

Well what d’ya know – those vents actually shut off the heaters…is there anything that these wonderful little cars cannot do…I even got a wave this morning from a fellow free soul in a Beetle – loving this life man. Thanks all.

geez you type good for a monkey !!!!