Kirk,
I hope you are planning on re-purging the cooling system correct?
Even if you pinch the lines close to the T fittings you will get air in the
system.
Read your Bentley manual, its a bit of a job to purge the cooling system.
If you are serious about re-installing the heater later, you will find it
very difficult to get at those T fittings in the first place.
I recommend you cap the ends and just zip tie them to the inside underseat
compartment out of the way and this way they will be there when you put the
heater back and no need to purge or crawl under and put the T fittings back
and purge again.

Doug
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kirk Hockin" <dochockin@TELUS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 9:51 PM
Subject: Re: Removing the rear heater

> Thanks for all the replies!  I'm a wiz with bicycle mechanics but
> working on a motor vehicle is whole new world...  I've only had my
> Vanagon for 6 weeks, so I am Super Neophyte.
>
> I've look around at the archives.  I think I'm going to remove the hoses
> at the T joints.  Most complicated short term, least complicated long
> term.  I'm not getting rid of the heater; I'll store it and re-install
> it when I move to Northern Alberta.
>
> My next question is in regards to a replacement for the T joints.  What
> materials should I avoid, other than ones that will melt?  Is there any
> metal that will cause corrosive problems when in contact with coolant?
>
> I'm also wondering what I can use to pinch the hoses?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kirk
> '83 WasserWesty