On 25 Sep 2005 at 23:52, George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM> wrote:

> In a message dated 9/25/05 11:37:32 AM, inua@CHARTER.NET writes:
>
> <<  I cannot help but wonder why a full surface gasket properly cut,
>
> and greased with some silicone sealant or other like plumbers Goop,
>
> would not make a perfectly acceptable and very likely permanent fix for
>
> this thing. >>
>
> John,
>
> It's plastic so it will likely distort with the clamping pressure of the
> fasteners and although it might be clamped tight around the fasteners, the
> slight flex in the assembly will lessen the clamping force at its midpoint and
> possibly leak.  The last time I replaced a rear heater valve, I am fairly
> certain that I used a standard round section O-ring which sealed perfectly.

Likewise, after trying RTV silicon along with the old hardened o-ring (which didn't
work), I finally went to the hardware store with the valve, and found an o-ring
suitable. It's been fine ever since. If I recall, it was a slightly tight fit on the inner
diameter of the groove, and thick enough that it bulged out of the groove slightly.

Shawn Wright
http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
'85 Jetta D
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
 (see progress at http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels)
'82 Diesel Westy