All the valves I've seen are designed to allow a minimal flow even when
closed, so you're probably ok. If you want to be sure, just clamp the hoses,
pull it out and flush it. I've done this several times, spillage is minimal, but
have some old towels handy.

On 10 May 2008 at 21:03, pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
wrote:

> I just discovered that my rear heater core has been shut off since I've had the
> van (by the little lever on the side of it).  Since I've had the van, I've
> drained/flushed coolant twice.  But since that heater core was shut, I guess
> that the coolant there is old and nasty.  Any thoughts on whether the coolant
> would have drained out of the core even with that valve shut?  Right now I'm
> trying to see if I can just drain out the core by itself.  (I still haven't run
> the van with the valve open.)
>
> This is an 83 1.9l westy.
>
> Thanks very much for any help,
> Wes

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA