two big things I don't like about a lift at all..
one is working with my  hands above my head ..that gets real tiresome.
Head tilted back ....etc.

the other is , every time you need to reach or undo something 'up there' ..
you either lower the vehicle back down , or bring a ladder over and
climb up.

anyway you do it working on the bottom side is a pain of course.
but I prefer to lay on my back on a creeper  and work on things right
out in front of me.

On 3/3/2013 3:09 PM, Jonce Fancher wrote:
> My worse night mare might be the front heater blower assembly.
> I have pulled a few out of vanagons that I have parted out and its a
> PITA just to get it out. Mine has been fine and I keep a few spares
> but Man I hope I never go down that road.
> Worse one in the past year has been R/R the fuel lines over the Gas
> tank, Wait that one was within the past 8 Hours. Stinks big time to
> get all the crap out of the way and empty the tank of fuel then pull
> the main filler neck, It would REALLY Stink If you had to do it on
> the ground or on jack stands. I Have a lift so it is a bit easier, I
> know I am a Puss!  But I saved my pennies and got it years ago.
> Just got to put the tank back it and ready to go!
>
> All in good fun!
> Jonce
>
>> Rear heater is nothing.
>> I nominate changing out the pedal assembly. Or even worse ..adjusting
>> the push rod length for the clutch master cylinder.
>>
>> It's very important IMO to have the rear heater valve on at least
>> partially all year long.
>> Keeping fresh coolant circulating through the rear heater helps prolong
>> its life .
>>
>> I was just reading somewhere where they said to pre-mix anti-frz and
>> water before pouring in the mix ..
>> rather than add say 1/2 gal a-frz followed by 1/2 gal water to get a
>> 50/50 mix.
>> I have not found that ever to be an issue ..
>> and it would not be for a rear heater core if the valve is kept at least
>> partially open at all times. , all year round.
>>
>> re rear seat ..
>> inconveniently VW made the plastic ( maybe it's fiberglass ) cover for
>> the rear heater on GL models so it's captured by the bar going across on
>> a Z Bed rear seat.  You only have to remove that once ..
>> then you just cut away a little bit of that cover on  the bottom
>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,from then on the cover comes right off.
>>   I've had someone tell me that you can cut out that round bar going
>> across there too ..
>> and the Z bed rear seat still works just fine.
>>
>> wow..I have not found rear seats to be dangerous in any way.
>> R & R many syncro transmissions ?   ....they're lots of fun.
>>
>> I have about 6 rear heater assemblies in my used parts stash.
>>
>> stay cozy !
>> scott
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 3/3/2013 1:08 PM, Jim Felder wrote:
>>> All the above. But, before you tear into that
>>> nearly-worst-of-all-Vanagon-jobs, check out the valve. There is an
>>> o-ring
>>> under that can leak. Also, when people carelessly put in coolant water
>>> without mixing it, the water can collect in the out-of-the-way
>>> heater and
>>> freeze, popping open the housing at the valve.
>>>
>>> The valve itself also can leak. There is not much in replacing any
>>> of it,
>>> the hard part is getting to it because of the rear seat. You can get
>>> hurt
>>> about as badly on that as the transmission falling on you. Be careful.
>>>
>>> I do not have a valve or any of that, but I do have the housing,
>>> blower and
>>> a good core.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 1:51 PM, Finn Runyon <finnrunyon@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Our van is nearly ready to hit the road after a year's work to
>>>> rebuild the
>>>> engine.  I bought this one with a blown engine.  The rear heater os
>>>> leaking, and I am wondering if the valve tends to leak, the O ring,
>>>> the
>>>> core?  If there is a most common failure I will do that or do
>>>> generally
>>>> rebuild the whole unit?  The valve defiantly is leaking.
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Finn Runyon
>>>> 87 Westy Roo
>>>> 89 Westy Pooh
>>>> 12 GTI Autobahn
>