Roger,

If you're smelling coolant, you've probably developed a small leak in the
heater core.  I would recommend replacing the heater core, the O-ring and
the valve since the valves tend to fail as well.

I have all of those items available:

Heater Core (867 819 121A) - $49.06
Heater Valve (867 819 809B) - $33.59
Heater Valve O-ring (861 819 297) - $2.24

It's a pretty simple procedure to replace the core:
 - Remove the cover over the heater core by removing the 6 phillips head
screws that attach it to the body.
 - Disconnect the wires to the fan motor.
 - Remove the 2 phillips head screws that attach the heater assembly to the
body.
 - Clamp the water hoses that connect to the heater core.
 - Disconnect the hoses.  Remove the heater assembly.
 - Drain the heater core.
 - Remove the 2 phillips screws that attach the heater core to the heater
box.
 - Remove the heater core.

This is a good time to take the cover off the heater box to clean out any
crap that has become stuck in there over the last 15 years or so.

Re-install by reversing the above procedure.

Cheers,

Jeff
www.vanagonparts.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Roger Donahe
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003 3:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rear heater leak (87 Westy)

Hello,

My rear heater is producing the unmistakable strong smell of coolant if I
run it. I've been keeping the valve closed but I'd like to use the heater as
it's a little bit cold this time of year without it. My van's a Westy so I
have easy access to the heater. I removed the wood box surround and don't
see any evidence of leakage anywhere. Is this a sign that it's definitely
the core that is the source of the leak?

I'd like to fix this soon and I want to make sure I order the parts I need.
I'm not sure how to diagnose the leak beyond the visual inspection I've done
so far. I'd rather not remove the core and open the cooling system until I
have the replacement part(s) here. Is the best thing to replace the core and
valve just on general principle?

Lastly, what's the proper R&R procedure so I don't have to bleed the cooling
system? Clamp the input and output hoses? Anything else?

I've searched the archive but it's kinda short on specifics for this topic.

Thanks in advance & happy holidays,
-Roger