Modern Vespa

The small air intake on yeh side of the CVT cover, does it as per the searches I've do e on the forum only cool the variator? I've not removed the clutch cover before but it doesn't look like there's anything to stop the air that's being sucked in through that air intake from blowing. All the way through and past the clutch and out at the back right hand side where there's a vent.

I ask because half of my filter was totally covered I. What looked like mud and balls of grass, attached a pic of some of the crap that fell out when the air intake was removed.

What would the affect be having this blocked? Hotter belt? More clutch dust build up? Hotter clutch too?

it's a fresh air intake for the trans.

in response to the above, yes, quite possibly.

best,
-greasy

Cheers Greasey hoping it will have a positive affect on the clutch dust once out of town getting some air flow through it

I checked this morning putting my hand over the air intake and increasing the revs slightly and I could feel it sucking the air in, also put my hand down at the back of the clutch cover near the rear wheel and I could feel it blowing air out and down.

When I was cleaning the dust from the clutch with an air duster it was blowing out of that same vent.

I think if this filter is blocked up like mine was it will be compounding the clutch dust build up causing a slipping shuddering clutch as you pull away over time. Also by the looks of the way the air flows through also reducing the life of the belt which will be getting hotter than it needs to be.

Apparently that filter's only supposed to be cleaned out after 10,000 km which mine hasn't even reached yet, but from what I've seen it's worth cleaning it out at least twice as regularly as that and more often still if you live in a dusty location.