These valves do leak, but at the shaft.  It can be difficult to tell where the drip is coming from.  After 30 years, it's time to swap out the valve.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Caron
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2015 3:26 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: drip drip rear heater core continued

Hi Listers,

        Even with  the van is not running I find a drop of coolant on the lower part of the connector between the rear heater core and the valve.  I’m aft rain to tighten the two bolts any more.  I am strongly considering purchasing a new valve from van cafe as well as a new o ring.  Hell for the price I’m almost considering getting the whole new kit as i can get the core, valve and ring for less then $1200.00 and I payed $94.00 just for the core at Bus Depot!  Now that I can finally read some of the vender sites using screen readers I hope to make better choices in parts selection! 

        If anyone has a tip about preventing this drip please share.  Otherwise I will drop some more bucks and try to solve the problem with a new valve and o ring. 

Interestingly, before doing the heater core exchange I also noticed this spot was dripping coolant but I assumed just the o ring had given out or the connection was a bit loosened due to my moving it around. 

Quick tips or advice welcome! 

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto 
drip drip drip