Date:         Sun, 25 Sep 2005 10:31:28 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Sum' B*tch - Rear Heater Valve - again2
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

This valve is working me pretty hard.

To update - had to loosen up the rear seat, then cut away some of that
floor insulation/sound proofing material on the floor to get the heater
cover out. Finally got it done, made the cut-out in the cover and
checked it for fit. Works fine. Discovred the new valve did not have a
seal with it, and had to order it. Will be here next week. So, hurry up
and wait.

Drove over to the FLAPS for some parts, and got a big whiff of coolant.
Before shutting down at the FLAPS I checked thtat rear heater. The valve
was peeing coolant like crazy under the back seat. . I got out some
little pieces of wood, put them on the hoses to the heater, and clamped
the hoses shut with Visegrips. Leaked stopped until I got home.

Once home, I bypassed the heater by pulling the hoses loose from the
heater, and joining them together with a piece of hard plastic tube.

I removed the valve, and found that little flat gasket or seal. In
looking at the face of the valve, and looking at the place where it
seats, I cannot help but wonder why a full surface gasket properly cut,
and greased with some silicone sealant or other like plumbers Goop,
would not make a perfectly acceptable and very likely permanent fix for
this thing. It looks to me like that little tiny seal that is supposed
to go there could always be problematic.

I'm waiting for the new seal, but I may very well go for the handcut
gasket and Goop remedy in the end.

As for Plumber GOOP - Good stuff!!! I repaired in the field a pair of
hip waders in Alaska on a fishing trip once.They had gotten torn on
rocks. I made a couple of patches let it cure, and those hip waders
never leaked again. It was a serious relief because stream waters in
Alaska can be very, very cold, expecially when the water in inside the
waders with you.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver