Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 06:08:59 -0800
Reply-To: Tracy Bonin <icculus22420@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tracy Bonin <icculus22420@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: front heater problems 85'
In-Reply-To: <1bc.1c48b061.2b61291e@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi guys, all the info is helping alot....thanx.
This idea seems like a good one, I'll try that for now, and see if it will help through this cold front we are having. That way I can do the replacement when it's at least a little bit warmer. ( I have no garage to work in )
One question though, when speaking about the taking the upper grill off, then taking the smaller air grill off to the air intake track. Is the smaller grill behind the upper grill? Or are you speaking of the lower grill thats below the upper grill? And also is the air intake track obvious, or is it something that I have to search for?
thanx,
Tracy
85' GL "Ripple"
RAlanen@aol.com wrote:In a message dated 1/22/2003 9:45:57 AM Eastern Standard Time, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
my front heater is making some terrible noises. A few weeks ago, when I
>turned it on it would make just this loud squeak/squeal noise. It gets
>louder the faster the setting I put it on.
You can attempt to lube it without removing anything inside. The bearing of the fan motor which is making that noise is exposed to the incoming air. That's the reason it goes kaput in the first place. It is the first object in the heater that the dirty incoming air hits. Anyways, try this and maybe you luck out. Remove the upper grill, then remove the smaller air grille to the air intake track. Turn on the heater to high speed if it will still run. Then spray an aerosol lubricant in the air track so that it get sucked into the heater fan. Do not use WD-40, it is not a lubricant ! Not too much as you don't want to lubricate the entire van just that end bearing. Now if that helps then your in luck for a little while anyways. Next thing is that every time you turn on the fan ALWAYS turn it on at high speed for a few minutes then reduce the speed to what you want. Now for the next bit of advice. If you eventually have to change that heater fan motor which is more than likely. Before installing the new motor, make a cover for the end bearing from a plastic cap that will fit and silicon seal it in place. This will prevent any dirt from the incoming air from fouling up that new bearing. Good luck !
Cheers
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15, 2003
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & Capital City VW Club
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli & Associates or http://frankcondelli.com
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