Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 09:51:00 -0500
Reply-To: Andrew Gies <andrew_gies@CANGENE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Gies <andrew_gies@CANGENE.COM>
Subject: "drain hole" caps - was RE: fridge exhaust cover
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have the Westy interior out of my van, and while grinding away rust etc.
on the lower seam area - I removed two plastic caps that cover holes that
are open to one of the main frame support "beams" (pardon my bad
terminology).
This support beam is in turn permanently open on the underside of the van
body (evidenced by my cleaning water dripping below the van). Should I
replace these plastic caps after I complete my POR15 fix to the area? I
guess there is an off chance of water splashing up through these holes from
outside, and a possible vermin issue - any advice? Personally - I kinda like
the idea of a permanent drain in this VERY hard to reach area.
FWIW - these plastic caps are also present along the base of the inclined
portion of the van underneath the rear seat - and should be visible when you
raise the seat.
Andrew
-----Original Message-----
From: RAlanen@aol.com [mailto:RAlanen@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2004 5:05 AM
To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Cc: andrew_gies@CANGENE.COM
Subject: Re: fridge exhaust cover
In a message dated 30/04/2004 12:54:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
(this is probably why the rust
started inside there in the first place!)
Not true ! Some water may get into the fridge vent when washing the
van or in violent rains storms but the fridge vent leads to the SEALED
combustion chamber and it has a drain below the fridge door that you are
supposed to use to drain the combustion chamber in the event water does get
in there. The rusting of the Westie side panel is caused mostly from
condensation due the change in temperatures between the inside and outside
of the van. Also when the fridge is running there is heat produce back there
causing condensation. The condensation is collected and held there by the
Fiberglas insulation and there is no drain on the floor pan in this area.
So.......the water produced by the condensation collects in there at the
floor level and rusts out the lower seam. The rust also starts around the
cut outs for the services because the Fiberglas is retaining moisture there
and the edges of the cut outs were left naked by Westfalia. Also the
horizontal box section support rib about mid way on the side collects
moisture because it has numerous openings in its cross section, has no rust
protection and therefore rusts heavily.
See my VW Vanagon Westfalia Dometic Fridge Maintenace
<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/fridge.htm> for more information.
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion <http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm> a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List <http://www.vanagon.com/>, LiMBO
<http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/>, IWCCC <http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/> & CCVWC
<http://www.ccvwc.ca/>
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm>
Frank Condelli & Associates
<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html> or http://frankcondelli.com
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