Hans Brouwer wrote:
>
> I have the same problem. The leak seems to be between the core and the
> plastic housing. My best guess is that the 2 seals (rubber O  rings) between
> the plastic and core need replacing. The Bus Depot has them on back order.
>
> The question is how do you separate the side plastic cover from the heater
> core? It looks it is crimped on

It is crimped on, and if you have a leak there it is time for a new
heater core.  Competent radiator shops have the tools to rebuild these,
but it costs as much as a new one--$70 or so from BD. Don't waste your
time trying to fix this one, it will  just start leaking somewhere else
soon.  They are under designed for the use they get over 10 to 15 years,
primarily because most of the time the valve is left open and the core
is constantly going through the heating and cooling cycle.  To get
longer life out of the next one close the valve in the summer.
>
> For the time being I removed the heater core. You can plug the rubber hoses
> with a bolt and put some clamps on it, or make a U shaped bypass out of
> copper pipe (double clamp it),

You will not get much flow to the front heater core if you do this, it
will take the path of least resistance back to the engine, and this  is
it.

or remove the rubber hoses in its entirely.
> This is what I did since I was doing a complete flush anyway. I replaced the
> T fitting under the Westfalia with a straight one.
>
> Hans Brouwer
> 86 Westfalia
> Cumberland, Onatrio
>
> Drew Bedford wrote:
>
> > As I pulled out the back seat of my Westy I discovered a long-hidden
> > coolant leak. The slow leak is coming from what I believe to be the
> > control valve for the rear heater. I didn't even know there was one.
> > Can't find a picture of this part in my Bentley, so I'm appealing to the
> > list to confirm my suspicions. The leak seems to be coming from behind
> > the control lever (aluminum) itself. Is this something that is fixable
> > with a new seal, or is this part notorious for leaking and needs to be
> > replaced in total?
> >
> > TIA,
> > Drew Bedford
> > 83.5 Westy
> > Park City, Utah

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)

Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT