Date:         Wed, 3 Nov 2021 11:56:29 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Rear heater core question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi folks,

        I developed a leak with my heater core.  To my best knowledge it is between the metal GW valve and the plastic core connector. 

        Being blind I’m using touch.  But my question is, has anyone had the plastic warp on the heater core?  It seems to me when I feel the connector the metal valve is perfectly flat, but the plastic connector at the lower bolt hole is bulged out.  The result is a gap that won’t close when bolted together.  I can feel the gap with my finger nail.

Why would the plastic do that?

Is this something that has happened to anyone else?

I replaced the core about 2014 from Bus depot.
It has fairly low miles and usage on it.
The core doesn’t seem to leak otherwise but the O ring can’t do its job. 

When I took it apart it was leaking a little.  The old O ring seemed thicker then when I had put it in years ago, sticking out a bit and a little harder. The new one more supple but thinner so when clamped back together the leak was more noticeable.  I think the O ring changed with time and actually thicker helped minimize the leak, that or it caused the change in plastic shape over time.

So, I’d like to know if anyone had such an experience.  Eventually when I get eyes on the connector I’ll confirm the info touch is giving me.

A new core is on the way and I hope fixes the issue.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto