In a message dated 8/29/04 9:53:33 AM, drillock@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<< The procedure for replacing the stock heater valve varies depending on
model as does the degree of difficulty.>>

I guess I've just been unlucky; the 4 Vanagons I've owned, '84 to '90, 2WD
and Syncro, have all had the heater control valve stuck in the same hole.

<<Some models of Vanagons have additional dash controls that preclude the
easy removal of the heater cover, to put it mildly.>>

I guess removing the couple of screws which hold the axle locker control
panel to the dash of a Syncro so equipped can be a hardship.

<<"Fixing" the heater control by adding a valve that many will find to be a
pain to access is just another degradation of the ownership experience.>>

Come on now, we all know that a person is degraded the moment he buys a
Vanagon.  The stop valve can be positioned so that it can be operated by releasing
the glovebox stays and reaching in through the glovebox cavity.  I guess if
one finds it really necessary to have instant control of the stop valve all yous
gotta do is drill a hole in the valve operator handle and tag on a piece of
coat hanger wire.

<<As for the "proper piping system" remark, a stop valve is often there to
allow the flow to be stopped while the control valve is serviced or replaced.>>

. . . or to isolate a branch from the rest of the system which I think Robert
has done admirably.  By the way, even VW refers this part as a heater CONTROL
valve.

George