Date:         Sun, 4 Apr 2004 23:35:40 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Front heater Blues...88 Vanagon
In-Reply-To:  <000c01c41a67$38f12d20$6400a8c0@masterpc>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

    Before you rip the dash a part again,  check the hoses under
the van. I had the same problem, and found an area where the hoses
go thru the frame, to be pinched off. A hose clamp, (wire-ty type)
just next to the hole in the frame had broke, allowing the top
heater hose crush the lower hose thru the frame.
If this does not work, disconnect the heater hoses and blow air in the
reverse direction, thru the heater.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

On Sun, 4 Apr 2004, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> You need to pull the heater core and check for both internal and
> external restrictions. The inside can get gummed up and the outside
> tends to collect road dirt reducing its effectiveness. All air that goes
> through the heater is outside air. During cold weather, avoid the
> temptation to put the fan on high. High speed means more cold air that
> needs to be heated. Note the legend for the fan has the number 2 along
> with the lever positions for max defrost. Also, not opening the valve
> for the rear heater fully will allow more coolant to flow to the front.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Vanagon Man
> Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 10:15 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Front heater Blues...88 Vanagon
>
> Volks,
>
> Here is the situation.  My front heater in my WBX has never been worth a
> hoot.  Last weekend, I replaced the foam seals to cure a cold air leak
> in
> the front of the van, and at the same time replaced my burned up fan
> motor.
>
> Well, I cured the cold air leak, and the fan works absolutely great.
> But,
> still the heat is tepid at best.  The rear heater just blows totally hot
> air.  I looked yesterday at the valve that controls the coolant flow to
> this
> heater core, and when the lever on the dash is pushed to the right, it
> is
> all the way open....so it seems flow is not restricted.
>
> Any ideas? This is one of those quirky things this van has always had
> wrong
> with it.  I want to cure it before next winter!!!
>
> Adam P
> Charleston,SC     Coburn, WV
> 81  Westy "The Brick "
> 70 Single Cab "Whitey"
> 74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
> 73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
> 1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
> 1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
> 1974 412 "Goldmember"
> Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
>