Date:         Mon, 3 Jan 2005 19:57:14 -0800
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Subject:      Re: rear heater coolant smell
Comments: To: OJBalson@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <6b.3bc97f7d.2f0b6aa5@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On 3 Jan 2005 at 22:42, Oliver Balson <OJBalson@AOL.COM> wrote:

> IS it normal for the rear heater blower to stink the van up the first 20
> seconds after its turned on?  Unmistakably hot coolant, and I almost enjoy it, but
> my 8 month old owns the back and I dont like the idea of her breathing the
> vapors.    THe smell dissipates quickly and I cant notice any coolant loss in
> engine.  Any thoughts?
> Thanks and Happy New Year to all! Oliver

No, so it is probably the beginning of a slow leak in the core (very common) or the
core was replaced at some time, and you are smelling the residue of the original
leak. The smell is very hard to get rid of unless the fan housing is thoroughly washed
out. In my Westy, the sound deadening pad under the seat was also soaked in
coolant and had to be removed. I have since rinsed out the pad, but haven't got
around to replacing it. Leaks in the core will appear as whitish residue on the fins
usually.
--
Shawn Wright
I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School