Date:         Tue, 1 Sep 2009 14:18:13 -0400
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: plugging heater hoses
Comments: To: Matthew Snook <matt@SNOOKSBAND.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no

I haven't had a rear heater for months -- took it out the week I got the 
van, actually.  For a while, I had the hoses looped together under the 
seat, but they were just in the way and at risk of being damaged.

Just this week, I went to the source -- the T-connectors where the hoses 
branch from the main heater hoses.  Took out the T-connectors and put in 
a straight pipe connector in their place.  No plugs, no loops (both of 
which were criticized by others on this list).  Just be careful in 
handling the hoses.  The manifold that the main hoses attach to toward 
the rear is old, and may be brittle.  Also, you'll need (as I need but 
haven't yet) to plug the holes through the firewall so gunk doesn't come 
into the storage compartment under the seat from the roadway or the 
engine compartment.

BTW, so far as plugs and loops, plugging the hoses is no different from 
having the heater valve closed, and looping them is no different from 
having the heater valve open, so far as coolant flow is concerned.

Dave Mc


On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 12:25 PM , Matthew Snook wrote:

> I have decided to remove my blown rear heater as others have 
> suggested.  Are
> there preferred methods for plugging those two hoses that come in 
> under the
> seat?  I'm assuming that I should cut them back so that they don't 
> enter the
> cab at all, but does that create other problems?  I was going to put
> something in the loose end and use the hose clamps to close it off - 
> what
> have folks used to that end?
>
> Thanks,
> Matt