Thanks, I hope it helps someone. That whole setup is just goofy, unmoumted and hanging by those hoses. Sheesh. 

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 30, 2021, at 7:40 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Wow Jim!, excellent information on how you tackled this job in a non-obvious manner.  Kudos.
> 
> On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 5:31:45 PM PDT, Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> I went inside the cabin, dropped the glove box, clamped off the two hoses
> going down to the heater valve,removed the hoses and dropped the valve
> assembly with hoses and cable onto the driveway to work on it. You have to
> undo the little clamp on the heater valve control cable by removing the
> instrument cluster and the slider plate if I recall correctly.
> Definitely worth it if you don't want your arms all cut up trying to reach
> up into that hole, and especially trying to get hoses and the little metal
> clip onto the lower end of the control cable, which has been practically
> impossible. It may sound scary that you have to remove a hose going into
> the heater but you will only lose about a tablespoon of coolant doing this.
> 
> Another issue: don't waste your time with the standard ten dollar valve.
> They last about as long as cheap CV boots and junky ignition switches. If
> you can, get the gowesty replacement ($$$ but lifetime guarantee) or one of
> the many much much cheaper replacements for the gowesty item you can find
> by googling gowesty vanagon heater valve replacement.
> 
> Don't lose the little clip that secures the lower end of the cable!!
> 
> Jim
> 
> On Wed, Jun 30, 2021 at 6:51 PM Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> > I did both on my back in the driveway, without even lifting my 84 Westy
> > (sits higher than a 90).  Only a slight lift on the 90 Westy.
> >
> >
> >
> > I used basic tools, like vice grips, and was able to do it (probably less
> > than a $20 tool investment at Harbor Freight).
> >
> >
> >
> > Funny thing, our friends who had the 90 Westy was an OBGYN… while lending
> > a hand, he said delivering a baby was a bit easier… LOL!
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Richard Koerner [mailto:rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net]
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 7:04 PM
> > To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com; Jack R
> > Subject: Re: Hot Foot well
> >
> >
> >
> > The guy in the youtube video had a lift.  How hard would this job be if
> > only floor jack and jackstands?  Seems like that heater valve is waaaay up
> > there, and jackstands make the valve even further away.  Also, need the
> > hose pinch pliers and the gizmo to remove the spring clamps; at that point,
> > it seems it is starting to make sense to buy the valve and take it to a
> > mechanic who has these tools and equipment (I would think any experienced
> > auto mechanic, wouldn't have to necessarily be a Vanagon mechanic).
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 3:34:28 PM PDT, Jack R <jack007@comcast.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > John
> >
> > I had this issue in my 84 Westy, and our friends had it in their 90 Westy.
> >
> > In BOTH cases, a change (30 to 60 minutes, depending on experience) of the
> > heater valve did the trick!
> > 3 years later, still no hot feet!
> > But the valve will set you back $9, so save your pennies :)
> > https://www.vanagain.com/shop/valve-front-heater
> >
> > Difficulty of a "2" on a 1-10 scale.
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35MkLMMQrhc
> >
> > Hope this helps!
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> > Of John Rodgers
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2021 11:25 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Hot Foot well
> >
> > My front heater is putting out some heat all the time, even though
> > everything is in the off position. At this point I am interested in just
> > cutting off the water to the heater core. Anyone know how to do this? How
> > to put in a shut off valve somewhere. Got a link to a how-to video maybe?
> >
> > Thanks
> >