Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 17:42:21 -0800
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Leaking Rear Heater
In-Reply-To: <1323046003.36567.YahooMailClassic@web83608.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
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Re-thinking what I wrote---I guess the "heater" circuit runs parallel to the "Radiator" circuit. Thus, the hot coolent travels up to the front heater core, not the radiator, and then back. I will admit that before "list wisdom", I too provided a bypass loop for the rear heater when I removed it for want of more storage space; seemed to make sense. Ran it that way for about 10 years. No ill effects that I can tell, and I've got 194,000 on my 85 1.9 L motor and still running as smooth and sweet as ever; no overheating problems ever, but I'm diligent on the 2 year coolant flush maintenance.
Now, with regard to that rear heater supply: you've got a great resource for "free" hot water. What I did was make a copper coil, about 15 feet of tubing. Replaced the rear heater with that copper coil and a ball-valve for shutting on and off. Put said coil in a "bucket" (actually a 20 quart aluminum stock pot) with cold water. Added a BBQ meat thermometer, digital, from WalMart---utilized some now un-used wires to the heater for running the output of the digital thermometer up to the dash area. Anyway, the sequence goes as follows: open ball-valve, look at the output of digital thermometer (say it's 60 degrees F). Drive. Watch the thermometer go up mile by mile....after 20 miles or so, the water temp in the pot is now about 115 degrees F. Make a quick stop on side of road to shut off ball-valve. You're good!--you've now got 5 gallons of hot water for whatever. In my case, I use it for hot showers; drop in or install a 12VDC
bilge pump with hose and shower nozzle into 20 quart stockpot, add a convenient on/off switch to maximize that precious hot water, and presto you've got 5 gallons of hot water for shower or washing dishes or whatever you like.
I once submitted a few more specifics and pictures of this contraption to The List; it was a lukewarm reception. Oh well. For me, and especially in the western USA, the hot shower facilities that are enjoyed by folks east of the Mississippi in campgrounds are not as abundant. And I like to do stealth camping (recent Vegas, Valley of Fire, and Vanagons post). So having that hot shower in my Vanagon has turned it into the Wondermobile!
And...yes..chicks did it!!
Hopefully will be at BBtB in January, can show my setup to any interested.
Rich
San Diego
--- On Sun, 12/4/11, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Leaking Rear Heater
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Sunday, December 4, 2011, 4:46 PM
List wisdom says to plug the inlet and outlet to the heater if removing, not bypass; otherwise you're returning hot coolant right back to the engine instead of letting it do it's journey up to the radiator and back.
Rich
San Diego
--- On Sun, 12/4/11, tim <h2oboxer@OPTONLINE.NET> wrote:
From: tim <h2oboxer@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Leaking Rear Heater
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Sunday, December 4, 2011, 4:25 PM
Finally found out the source of my cold weather leak: rear heater core.
I would like to remove the core and just connect the hoses together.
What if the ID of the hoses that go to the rear heater?
Thanks
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