Date:         Mon, 5 Jul 1999 10:25:52 -0700
Reply-To:     "Tom L. Neal" <jneal@NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Tom L. Neal" <jneal@NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Winning Water Wars: A/C dribble & Coolant Games
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Summary:
3000 miles through 6000 mile loop in '87 weekender removed-driveshaft syncro
  1.(previously reported) temp 2 coolant connector went intermittent
    per digitool--excercised connector and applied contact grease
  2.A/C evaporator hoses drip a lot of water in humid climates--how
   to control where it goes?.
  3.Rear heater core retired--temporary "L" fix employed
  4."dashboard heat" not appreciated

Pre-trip: many preventative preparations from ideas from this list,
  otherwise we'd be driving a different vehicle.  Thanks to all.

A/C
--
Before trip: Inspected the evaporator drain tubes. Right OK, but snipped
off another 1/4 inch to make sure it was open.  Left one totally
clogged--cleaned and snipped off end.  A/C works fine, but tubes allow
water to drip down rear air wells.  When stop after freeway driving and a
few finishing turns, clear water drips out from both sides of the rear of the
van, especially in this very humid climate.
Seems like there should be a more elegant way to get rid of the water--
evaporative sponge? tube extension? Any ideas?

Rear heater core
----------------
Bought a coolant pressure checker before leaving and determined a very slow
leak existed.  Fixed one on long hose clamp in front, but coolant kept slowly
disappearing.  Musty smell was followed by wet rug.  Originally suspected
A/C water, but further inspection showed the rear heater core had retired.
Well prepared with a recently purchased TBD one...still at home. Used the
$.17 copper elbow trick others have described as a temporary fix.  Have yet
to test it but it fit perfectly.  Another simple carry along item to be added
to my kit.

Dashboard heat
--------------
With A/C on and the van vents closed, the front dashboard gets warm.
Part of the issue is the hot floor (added insulation to lesson the "hot
foot" effect) but the heater system seems to be slightly on creating a
warm dashboard and conduction heat out the airflow vents..  There have
been many posts about worn valves, flap seals, pipe insulating, and other
items that I'll need to investigate after the trip.  Also finally found
a Bentley with the famous 19.20/21 hot foot baffle mods that I might try.

Start feeling like a hydraulics engineer running around in these vans.

Cheers, Tom Neal