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Subject:Re: rear heater
From:Billy
Date:Thu, 14 Nov 2002 21:43:35 -0800

Hi all, this is my first post.  My name is Bill Baker, I'm on Vancouver
Island.  I just acquired an 86 Vanagen GL.

I just tore mine apart, kinda wish I hadn't.  I needed to clean my Heat
Exchanger really bad, whew what a stench.  Here is how I removed mine.

SAFETY: Ensure the coolant is cold.  Do not run the engine before or during
this.  Coolant is under pressure, and can burn you before you know a leak
exists.

Detach Rear Heat Exchanger from 86 Vanagen GL
- Two Philips screws mounted on the floor on the left & right of the Black
Unit
- Now the Heat Exchgr is free (sort of)
- Remove power header on top right of unit.  Just pull and wiggle.
- Remove Black Clips on the top front of unit with flat head.  This removes
the front exposed vent.
- Now you hold the unit in you hands, looking at the radiator.  On the left
is the hoses.
To remove the case around the Radiator
- Five or six clips hold the left and right side together.  I used a small
Flat Head and a large pair of needle nose pliers.  While squeezing with the
pliers, pry the head into the right side.
- When you get to the bottom you will find another steel clip.  Pry it off
with flat head
- Two screws on the left hold the plastic case onto the Heater core.  Remove
those and your left with the heater core connected to the cooling system.

Now this is when I found out my Heater Core is leaking.  I'm currenlty
pricing a new one $152CDN from www.altrom.com.   I'll let you know how the
operation goes.  Any advice for the actual replacement?

Billy Baker
'86 Vanagen GL (Morty's Revenge)

>Hi, does anyone on the list know how to get to the hoses
>in and around the rear heater core under the rear bench of
>a 1990 vanagon gl? and has anyone replaced the rear heater core?
>
>Any insight would help. John 90 vanagon gl