Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2013 13:40:45 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Worst of all Vanagon Jobs
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk1gznqawAhCiEZtrQFYVD1RnFoMf1n2EVoFYYzWpJ-Xgw@mail.gmail.com>
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Rear heater is nothing.
I nominate changing out the pedal assembly. Or even worse ..adjusting
the push rod length for the clutch master cylinder.
It's very important IMO to have the rear heater valve on at least
partially all year long.
Keeping fresh coolant circulating through the rear heater helps prolong
its life .
I was just reading somewhere where they said to pre-mix anti-frz and
water before pouring in the mix ..
rather than add say 1/2 gal a-frz followed by 1/2 gal water to get a
50/50 mix.
I have not found that ever to be an issue ..
and it would not be for a rear heater core if the valve is kept at least
partially open at all times. , all year round.
re rear seat ..
inconveniently VW made the plastic ( maybe it's fiberglass ) cover for
the rear heater on GL models so it's captured by the bar going across on
a Z Bed rear seat. You only have to remove that once ..
then you just cut away a little bit of that cover on the bottom
,,,,,,,,,,,,,from then on the cover comes right off.
I've had someone tell me that you can cut out that round bar going
across there too ..
and the Z bed rear seat still works just fine.
wow..I have not found rear seats to be dangerous in any way.
R & R many syncro transmissions ? ....they're lots of fun.
I have about 6 rear heater assemblies in my used parts stash.
stay cozy !
scott
On 3/3/2013 1:08 PM, Jim Felder wrote:
> All the above. But, before you tear into that
> nearly-worst-of-all-Vanagon-jobs, check out the valve. There is an o-ring
> under that can leak. Also, when people carelessly put in coolant water
> without mixing it, the water can collect in the out-of-the-way heater and
> freeze, popping open the housing at the valve.
>
> The valve itself also can leak. There is not much in replacing any of it,
> the hard part is getting to it because of the rear seat. You can get hurt
> about as badly on that as the transmission falling on you. Be careful.
>
> I do not have a valve or any of that, but I do have the housing, blower and
> a good core.
>
> Jim
>
> On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 1:51 PM, Finn Runyon <finnrunyon@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Our van is nearly ready to hit the road after a year's work to rebuild the
>> engine. I bought this one with a blown engine. The rear heater os
>> leaking, and I am wondering if the valve tends to leak, the O ring, the
>> core? If there is a most common failure I will do that or do generally
>> rebuild the whole unit? The valve defiantly is leaking.
>> Thanks,
>> Finn Runyon
>> 87 Westy Roo
>> 89 Westy Pooh
>> 12 GTI Autobahn
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