> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mladen, Zoran [SMTP:zmladen@solant.com]
> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 11:06 AM
> To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      RE: rear heater
>
>
> It is not necessary to replace the floor boards.  I had this problem with
> my
> Vanagon.  I removed the carpets and floor boards and performed an
> intensive
> cleaning to remove all of the coolant.  The carpets were easy.  The floor
> boards were more difficult.  I continuously ran water over the infected
> areas for about five minutes, and then stood the boards up against a fence
> to let them dry (this allowed the coolant to drip out with the water as
> they
> dried).  In my case, there was one half of the boards that were soaked and
> the other half was still ok.  So when hanging the boards to dry, be sure
> to
> hang the infected side down, so that the water will take the coolant away,
> rather than pushing it further into the inaffected side.
>
> I repeated this procedure several times, I would guess about 6-7 times on
> the worst board.  When I let them dry, I didn't let them dry completely.
> I
> watched them during the drying process, and you can see water/coolant.
> When
> the dripp ing stopped, I repeated the process.  When you think you are
> done,
> let the board dry completely.  If it dries, you have been successful.  If
> it
> remains wet, there is still coolant inside, as coolant will not dry while
> in
> the board.
>
> I try to limit my spending on my Vanagon.  This process was time consuming
> (2 days elapsed time of letting the boards dry and rewetting), but now my
> boards are dry as a bone and ready for the next rear heater failure!
>
> Z
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Davidson [mailto:wdavidson@thegrid.net]
> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 8:53 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: rear heater
>
>
> > Will removing and replacing the rear heater with a new one eliminate the
> > maple syrup smell?
>
> If it was leaking coolant... and if there was a lot spilled and you clean
> it
> up... including (if a lot was leaked) removing and replacing the floor
> boards which soak it up.
> Bill