Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:28 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Turning off rear heater
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I often take out rear heaters because they are often leaking ..
and for the extra storage space.
but I sure don't join the two hoses.
if you do that, you are providing a 'short circuit' that will keep all the
available hot coolant from reaching the front heater core.
in practice, it doesn't seem to matter that much,
heater still works, but in theory, you are providing a shorter easier path
for heater circuit coolant to go back to the engine instead of through the
front heater core.
sometimes I just block off the hoses right there under the rear seat. ( I
find a bolt of the right diameter with a long shank, not-treaded portion
...makes a fine hose cap-off plugs.
that's the easiest method.
however, it still leaves the T junctions under the rear floor and firewall.
early ones are metal.
later ones are plastic.
they both love to fail , or can, either rust through or just crumble ..
so the better way is to remove those T's and replace them with good quality
hose junctions.
the plastic stock VW one ..
used on diesel vanagons, is one application, is still available from VW .
or you can use hardware store parts ..
I've used AC high grade metal hose junction pieces before ..
really well made material, isn't likely to rust or fail ever.
I try to make as few parts in the cooling system as possible..
like removing those rear T's ..
there are SO many cooling system parts in a vanagon that getting rid of any
of them that are not used or needed can only help.
and putting the T's back in to put a rear heater back in ..
it's good to get old coolant drained out anyway.
just messy is all.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 2:58 PM
Subject: Re: Turning off rear heater
> Hey, here is one way. I did this with mine when I had a hose to that
> rear
> heater split and leak. I was in there anyhow. Since I rarely use my rear
> heater but it does turn off and work, I decided to take it out,
> "temporarily" and leave the hoses in place for winter time replacement of
> the heater. Leaves a lot of room in the bench seat.
> Go to the hardware and get a double-ended hose barb...I used a regular
> metal one from Home Depot...A couple of hose clamps, too. Make a loop and
> take the heat radiator and fan motor right out. Put a wire nut onto the
> live end of the power supply. Done, for summer.
> I plan on replacing all my minor hoses when I pull my motor soon, so I
> know I will be revisiting this soon, but I see no reason why you couldn't
> use a fix like this full time. The rear heater is only useful to me on
> the
> coldest days..so if I am so inclined, I may put it back in there for
> winter...but I probably won't...
> Cost you about $10 for this "fix"
> Don Hanson
>
> On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 2:08 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> might have missed something , but I didn't see any responses to your
>> post.
>>
>> still having the problem ?
>> what have you done so far about getting the rear heater to be really
>> 'off'
>> ?
>>
>> it's all fixable.
>>
>> Scott
>> www.turbovans.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "David M" <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:33 PM
>> Subject: Turning off rear heater
>>
>>
>> Have been driving my van in 110 degree heat with no a/c (does not work
>> and
>>> too expensive to fix $1000)
>>> Power windows don't work so cannot open them. Phew!
>>> Wish I could find a fan that fits the non-standard lighter plug.
>>> Yes, I keep my curtains snapped on all the time.
>>> My daughters sit in the back seat and swear there is HEAT coming out of
>>> the rear heater. I checked and the lever is in the OFF position. Anyone
>>> know about this. I hate to think the heater is pumping out additional
>>> hot
>>> air into the already sweltering interior.
>>>
>>> -David, Phoenix AZ '87 Wolfsburg (The Sweatbox)
>>>
>>
| 
