Date:         Fri, 2 Dec 2011 09:10:39 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Very little heat from the front heater
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4ED85271.5090609@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
> If it's not the
> thermostat - and the rear heater puts out good heat - then you have a
> blockage or restriction somewhere in the forward heater system -
> obviously. Bad heater valve, kinked control wire would be the biggest
> suspect.

A kinked control wire is a common problem with Vanagon heaters, evidently.  However, usually, the valve ends up stuck in the open position rather than the closed.  This is because the valve is open when the wire is pulled, closed when it is pushed.  Pushing a wire to put force on the valve kinks it, and the valve will not close fully again.  Thus, a kinked control wire more often causes the heater to put out heat when not wanted than to fail to put out heat when wanted.  Some have called this phenomenon "Vanagon hot foot."  Even if the wire is not kinked, it may not close the valve completely -- even with a good valve.  Heater controls that have this problem often have a valve control knob that will not completely reach the end of travel, and feels kind of springy at its maximum travel, rather than having a solidly stopped feel.

All that said, I would still check this.  It is relatively simple to fix, especially if the wire is not kinked.  In that case, a careful lubing of the wire and its housing tube works.  Drip a high quality lube, or even spray WD40 into the tube, to help the wire travel more freely.  If kinked, replace the wire of course.  All mine needed was lubing.  Works smoothly ever since, though before I could never get the heater shut off, so had to close all interior vents, and still felt heat seeping in at my feet.  Not good when it is 110 out.

mcneely