On Fri, 6 Jun 2003, Eric Zeno wrote:

> IAn,
>      This rust is obviously closer to the front than the rear.  This means
> it is likely that the driver side panel or window is leaking water.  Now,
> if your van is this rusty this is not the only spot like this.  Look
> around carefully under your van and examine what you are getting into. You
> will find other areas that have holes.
>     Closing the valve on the rear heater does no good to stop a leaking
> core. There is still pressure on both sides of the valve.

I am going to check for additional holes underneath, and any exterior panel
leaks when I start pulling interior panels, but the fact that the puddles
are flourescent green (instead of just the usual pondwater and silt color)
makes me suspect that the leaky heater was the primary source of water.
There is more rust back towards the heater, but I wasn't able to get a good
picture of it in the dark.

I think when I remove and repair the heater, I'm going to come up with some
sort of plastic tray to screw it into so any further leaks will at least
make themselves known quickly without wreaking havoc.  I'd rather do without
the heater entirely, but it's awfully nice in the winter here.

ian Butler / ian@bluemoon.hplx.net
'88 Scirocco 16v, '87 Syncro GL