Note that this only applies to Country Homes conversions. You don't have
remove the kickboard or the bed to remove the heater on a Westfalia.

MM

>From: Graham Challis <centumg@YAHOO.COM>
>
>When you go to take the heater box off, if you're not
>averse to a bit of non-visible mutilation, then after
>you take the wood kick board off, cut out the heater
>box at the bottom where it goes under the heater unit
>(it'll be obvious what to do once you take the board
>off) - that way you can easily get the surround off
>without having to disassemble the bed.  When you put
>the new core in and reassemble everything you won't
>even notice the bit that's missing.  The box is some
>sort of fibreglass so it's easy to cut.
>
>There's a msg. in the archives about this that I
>posted a while back - I had exactly the same symptoms
>as you describe, plus earlier I'd replaced the valve
>without doing the little mod. to the surround - the
>second time I started to unbolt the bed I thought:
>"why am I doing this again - this is stupid!".
>
>Graham
>90 GL auto Country Homes Camper
>
>--- Jim & Melody <JiMelody@ZIANET.COM> wrote:
> > HK,
> > Order another heater core.  We enjoyed the sweet
> > maple syrup smell in our 91
> > for 3.5  years.  Actually thought someone had
> > spilled syrup near the heater.
> > Over the weekend we went up to the mountains in the
> > snow and as I sat next
> > to the van enjoying some hot chocolate I noticed
> > coolant in the sliding tray
> > at the bottom of the side door.  hmmm.  I too
> > evaluated the situation with
> > the heater hot and running, nary a leak (obviously
> > knew it was leaking but
> > trying to pinpoint locations).  Quit for the night
> > and had a nice puddle in
> > the morning.  Pulled the heater core out and sure
> > enough, the bottom 1/4
> > inch was blue from a longstanding leak which
> > evidently just increased.  I'll
> > bet yours is similar and the fan evaporates the
> > little coolant which drips
> > into the core tray.  You never know when it will get
> > worse so better to
> > replace when you can.  BD has mine on the way.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Jim
> > 91 Syncro AW
> > 99 NB TDI
> > Alamogordo NM
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Horace K. Sawyer <firestream@MINDSPRING.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2000 7:34 PM
> > Subject: Re: 91 Westy rear heater core smell - no
> > leak!
> >
> >
> > > Very strong sickly sweet odor of hot coolant.  I
> > examined the heater box
> > > unit, and open/close valve with the engine warm
> > and running.  No evidence
> > > of a leak visible.  I read some posts about the
> > open/close valve being
> > > prone to leak, but not the sign of the slightest
> > drip.
> > >
> > > I did not rip open the heater box to examine the
> > heater core.  Still no
> > > sign of leaking underneath.  So where is it coming
> > from?  It definitely is
> > > emanating from the rear heater.  My nose knows. :
> > )
> > >
> > > This smell is driving me batty (more so than I
> > already am, so they say).
> > > Hope this odor is not DANGERous!  We have an 11
> > month baby girl who loves
> > > to ride in the "Edelweiss."
> > >
> > > Should I go ahead and order another heater core?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > > HK
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
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