Hi,

The Bus Depot lists the following parts to replace the the rear heater core plus
the plastic end housing(s?). The cost would be roughly $120 for the parts plus
whatever the radiator place will charge to crimp the pieces together plus do a
pressure test. for the time being I will leave it out since I do not use the
Westfalia during the winter.

O-ring, rear heater core to valve, 82-91 Vanagon
$2.29 861 819 297

Rear Heater Core,82-91 Vanagon - (also order O-Ring, 861 819 297)
$69.95   867 819 121A

Bleeder, Rear Heater Core, Vanagon
$1.99   861 819 039

Rear Heater valve, Vanagon
$42.95  867 819 809B

Hans
Cumberland, Ontario
86 Westfalia

Stuart MacMillan wrote:

> 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