Date:         Mon, 1 Dec 2008 09:07:34 -0500
Reply-To:     Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: smelly rear heater
Comments: To: "Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN)" <Pascal.Giasson@gnb.ca>
In-Reply-To:  <A817922C9DAF504580C0D892C343677603795FAE@GNBEX01.gnb.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

I did use some Permatex red on the O-ring before I reassembled it.  Yes
I had it all apart and cleaned everything, and lubricated the motor as
well.  There was some residue at the end of the core that looked like it
could have been leaking there but under pressure there were no bubbles
anywhere and it held 15 PSI for at least an hour in my pressure test.

May go ahead an just replace the core, it's not a hard job to get the
thing out but tedious with unbolting the rear seat and everything to get
access.

Allan


On Mon, 1 Dec 2008 10:01:37 -0400, "Giasson, Pascal      (DNR/MRN)"
<Pascal.Giasson@gnb.ca> said:
> Those rear heaters are tricky.  I've read that the core can show leaks
> only when hot, so that might be your problem.  It might also residual
> coolant on the surface of your heater from the old leak you had.  Did
> you take the heater all apart and clean the housing and core?  After
> replacing my core, all was fine for one summer, the next spring it
> stated to smell again and I traced it back to the junction between the
> valve and the core, just like yours.  I put another new seal in there
> and dressed the seal with head gasket sealant and put some washers and
> lock nuts on the bolts securing the valve to the core.  So far so good.
>
> RE: Using the Subaru coolant conditioner...that's a personal choice.
> You will find lots of discussion on those types of products in the
> archives.  BTW I just put some in my 01 Subaru Forester and it
> works...but I consider it just a "stop gap" measure, not a fix for my
> weeping head(s).
>
> Pascal
> '84 Westy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> This summer I had taken apart my rear heater because of a serious odor
> problem.  I rigged up a pressure test and found that the core seemed OK
> but the junction between the valve and the core showed some bubbles.  I
> replaced the O-ring, and cleaned everything thoroughly.
>
> I still have some odor from the rear heater.  Not as bad as it was, not
> overpowering, but definitely noticeable.
>
> I have some Subaru coolant conditioner -- anyone think that would help
> with this issue?
>
> Allan

------------------------------------------------------------
+    To unsubscribe from the Vanagon List send an e-mail to
+    listserv@gerry.vanagon.com with SIGNOFF VANAGON
+    in the body of the message.
------------------------------------------------------------