Date:         Mon, 16 Oct 2006 19:09:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: air cooled heat smells funky
In-Reply-To:  <2cb866ef0610161747o5236008bycafda79eb87dd7a5@mail.gmail.com>
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What I'm getting is that the heater boxes are the real culprits, even if
they look fine on the outside. I wonder if going over them with a torch
would burn off any internal oil (rather than just making it smoke like the
exhaust temp does), wash with solvent and then water. And what about those
ancient plastic and paper tubes? Are replacements available aftermarket?
As far as future oil leaks go, when I install new pushrod tube seals and
rocker cover gaskets, should I use gasket sealant?
Finally, I noticed significant oil running down BETWEEN the two passenger
side cylinders, ABOVE the pushrod tubes. I was on my back looking up beneath
the vehicle, but couldn't see far because of all the tin (the lowermost
covers were off). I'm gonna pull this motor tomorrow to replace all
potential problem seals, and wondering what new seal I'm missing that would
cause a leak in this part of the motor?

Thanks for all the help.

Nathaniel


On 10/16/06 5:47 PM, "Jonathan Poole" <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> A few years ago when I had the exhaust off of my ac engine I cleaned out the
> heat exchangers and had fairly clean smelling heat thereafter.
>
> I recently cranked my heat back up only to smell oil smoke.  It turned out
> that I had a leaky valve cover gasket and after fixing it I decided that I
> couldn't tolerate the smoke smell.  I put the front of my van up on jack
> stands (probably not necessary) pulled the heat pipe off of the air box
> (behind the front grill) and stuck a running water hose in it.  I then
> poured various cleaners and degreasers into the pipe.  I also removed the
> plastic pipes that connect the heater fan to the heat exchangers and poured
> more degreasers and cleaners into them with periodic pressure washing etc.
> You can plug the drain holes on the bottom of the exchangers and let them
> soak, or just bombard them periodically over the course of a few hours like
> I did.  I used the stronger stuff first,, then flushed with lots of water
> and milder soaps etc.  At this point my heat is working great, and smells
> only lightly of soap.  Even if this was a dumb idea or had not been very
> effective it was satisfying.  As for the cleaners that were used, I went to
> the local auto place and the local hardware store and bought everything that
> looked like it might work while not being too toxic from house cleaners, to
> engine degreasers etc.
>
> If you decide to try this be careful with the front heater pipe because the
> paper layers get soft when wet.  Also, you may want to plug the heater
> outlets between the front seats that service the rear, passenger area of the
> van in order to keep from staining the carpet.
>
>
>
> Jonathan Poole
> '82 AC Westy