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Date:         Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:04:32 -0400
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: rear heater blowout - stranded
Comments: To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no

Hmmmmmm ........ . So, by using the rear heater (creating a "free flowing alternative to the cooling circuit"), I would "compromise the thermostat's ability to get the engine up to operating temperature quickly and to maintain it there." This condition would be exacerbated by the fact that I'm doing this during cold ambient conditions, and removing heat from the circuit with a small, auxiliary radiator and fan (the rear heater).

Since for most of us (me, for one) the cooling system seems to have the opposite problem (running too hot, not too cold), .... ,

my confusion deepens, but I'm struggling to understand. More information, please. If my bypass is truly damaging my engine, I want to know. So far, I'm perplexed.

Dave Mc

On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 6:42 PM , Jake de Villiers wrote:

> The heater circuit is not controlled by the thermostat. By creating a > free-flowing alternative to the cooling circuit you compromise the > thermostat's ability to get the engine up to operating temperature > quickly > and to maintain it there. > > On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 2:43 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote: > >> Ok, if I have a pipe running between the two hoses, it just returns >> hot >> coolant to the engine. Understood. What's the problem? Is the >> thinking >> that the cooling capacity of the heater is important? But if the >> heater is >> not functioning (as in the valve on the heater is closed, the cooling >> capacity is not working. For that matter, is there even coolant >> there, >> unless I turn on the rear heater (thus opening a valve somewhere >> else)? Does >> coolant fill those hoses all the time, and only enter the heater if >> the >> valve on top of the heater is opened (by hand)? If so, why couldn't >> those >> who want to keep the heater under the seat (I don't, I want the >> space) just >> close the valve? I'm really confused now. Wasn't before. >> >> Dave Mc >> >> >> On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 4:22 PM , RICHARD KOERNER wrote: >> >> Yes, the best way is to plug & clamp both hoses to the heater, it >>> maximizes coolant flow up to the radiator. If you use a "pipe" to >>> connect >>> the hoses, it just returns hot coolant back to the engine. I'm not >>> sure >>> which is "in" and which is "out"....just plug both of them. I used >>> the >>> "pipe" method for years until Dennis Haynes and other gurus pointed >>> out that >>> plugging is better. >>> >>> Rich >>> 85 GL >>> San Diego >>> >>> --- On Mon, 8/24/09, Dave Mcneely wrote: >>> >>> From: Dave Mcneely Subject: Re: rear heater blowout - stranded >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>> Date: Monday, August 24, 2009, 2:04 PM >>> >>> I have the rear heater removed from, and a pipe fitted to the hoses >>> to >>> connect one to the other. I'm not limping. Dave Mc >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM , Matthew Snook wrote: >>> >>> OK, I'm having an adventure... >>>> >>>> '84 Westy 1.9 >>>> Currently parked roadside at Whitehorse Campground, Umpqua National >>>> Forest >>>> (that's Oregon) on highway 138 >>>> >>>> Pulling the hill eastbound the temperature was running high but not >>>> critical, when I started smelling antifreeze. As I started making >>>> plans >>>> to >>>> pull the rear heater after I got home to Rocky Point (Klamath >>>> County) a >>>> gusher erupted under the rear bench seat, steaming all of my >>>> clothing and >>>> stranding me over a pool of coolant. For now, I hope. I passed >>>> the 3500 >>>> foot mark, so I have another 1500-2000 ft climb before I'm on the >>>> downhill >>>> to Klamath Lake. :( >>>> >>>> I took the rear heater cover off, restarted the engine, and soon >>>> water >>>> and >>>> steam was coming from somewhere inside the heater unit. I can't >>>> see the >>>> leak directly. I tried setting the little lever on the passenger >>>> side of >>>> the unit back and forth, but it didn't seem to affect the output. >>>> My Bentley doesn't say which of the hoses is supply or return, >>>> upper or >>>> lower. >>>> Question: can I disconnect both hoses, clamp a stick in there to >>>> block >>>> the >>>> openings, and limp back home that way? Will there still be >>>> adequate flow >>>> of >>>> coolant through the rest of the system? >>>> >>>> Matt >>>> >>>> Matthew Snook >>>> matt@snooksband.com >>>> 541.805.5133 >>>> ----------------------------- >>>> 2201 Cedar Street >>>> La Grande OR 97850 >>>> >>>> >>> > > > -- > Beverley Anne de Villiers April 20, 1930 - July 4, 2009 > > Jake > > 1984 Vanagon GL > 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" > > Crescent Beach, BC > > www.thebassspa.com > www.crescentbeachguitar.com > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27


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