Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:50:35 -0800
Reply-To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Heater flap foam replacement detail
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds17BF2C231E6758DF3AD66CA0480@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Dennis Haynes writes to say "Actually for heat you need to let some
outside air in. All the heated air comes from outside. Usually the foam
is replaced to stop of the whistling noises when closing all the vents
is attempted."
I took the heater box out this spring and serviced it. The old foam
seals had crumbled like a sandcastle at high tide, like marzipan in a
hot tub.
But I didn't replace them. During warm weather, there's little need to
close the flaps, and during winter I only close them while waiting for
the engine to warm sufficiently to provide hot water to the heater core.
This takes, what? five minutes?
I have not heard any whistling w/o the foam bits while driving during
the initial warm-up period, nor a cold draft.
I'm not disappointed that I chose not to put in new foam, because it
looked like a real PITA -- and lemme tell ya', it was a risky decision
considering how difficult it is to get that darn heater box out. But we
(me and my son) studied the flaps, flipped them about, discussed it,
drank a glass of wine or two (me) or PBR (my son), looked at how tightly
the flaps closed with no foam, and -- taking the lazy man's way out --
decided to to take a pass on the foam replacement step.
It's worked out fine.
I can't think of many situations where I'd want the flaps to stay closed
for any length of time and when a bit of air getting through would be
troublesome. In warm weather I like a breeze, in cold I wait for the
core to heat then open them, and any leakage isn't a bother.
Me, I'd say skip that fussy bit. Replace the heater core and the blower
motor, lube what needs lubing, blow things out -- and be done with it.
But, as they say: YMMV.
Jack out.
--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.
On 12/10/2012 05:03 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Actually for heat you need to let some outside air in. All the heated air
> comes from outside. Usually the foam is replaced to stop of the whistling
> noises when closing all the vents is attempted. If you think about things
> you never really don't want to stop all outside air, even when using the AC.
> You have to have some fresh air and O2 coming in.
>
> Dennis
