I'm taking apart the rear half of my van to sound deaden all the unsupported sheetmetal. Took the rear seat out and thought I'd better check the rear heater. Folded the carpet back and removed the heavy duty floor mat around the heater. I noticed that the screws holding down the heater cover on the leftside had a white fuzzy rust on them. There was also a gooey, watery substance on the bare floor (not a lot). A wipe with a paper towel showed it to be blue/green. The hose clamp to the bottom of the heater had the same white fuzzy stuff. I figure this was a tiny leak over a long period of time. 

What should I be checking? Is it a sign that it's going to fail? Is a hose replacement a pain in the a$$, or can I delete the heater all together? I use it only once or twice a year if that.  I'm just wondering what my options are.----Milt