Thanks Dennis.

From what I can tell - it is weeping from the stem and running along the
hose then dripping down onto the spare tire holder.  Hard to really tell
without removing it - which I have yet to do.

Bruce

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Closing the valve may not make much of a difference. While closing it
> stops flow through the heater core the system pressure is still the same on
> both sides. While it is common for this valve to leak or drip at the stem
> rarely does it catastrophically fail. Also make sure that the leak is not
> one of the hoses or hose connections. The replacement valves are of
> questionable quality so when you acquire get 2. Also that clip for the
> cable can be a beast and sometimes they break from rust of fly away. If
> available where you get the valve, get that also.
>
> As a point of interest these valves failing can also be symptom of over
> heating or over pressure. Test the coolant cap.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Bruce
> Todd
> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 10:37 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Leaking heater control valve
>
> I am a little concerned about having no quick ability to defog the
> windshield.  We are expecting cool temps and rain and I will be highway
> driving on a pretty windy road.  The coolant puddle wasn’t much but I am
> unsure if the valve has just started to fail.  As I touched the valve and
> connecting hose more coolant was starting to collect and drip down - not to
> my liking  - and the system was cold.
>
> I couldn’t find the replacement valve I thought I had…if I can’t pick one
> up tomorrow would anyone advise against removing the valve and connecting
> the two hose ends with a short piece of copper pipe or something
> comparable?  A quick temp fix so I could have heat?
>
> BT
>
> On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> >  I guess there are 2 kinds of leaks on that front heater control valve.
> > The first one is where the valve doesn't quite shut off all the way
> > and you get Vanagon "hot foot".  The second one is where valve
> > actually leaks coolant to the outside; your situation sounds very
> > minor.  But replacement when convenient seems like a wise move so put
> > it on the list and order replacement valve now so you have ready to go.
> >
> >     On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 06:19:11 PM PDT, Jim. Felder <
> > jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >  You will not get heat in the front, that’s the only downside… as long
> > as your ailing valve holds as it is. If you will be traveling g it
> > might be wise to buy a cheap set of hose clamps and put one on either
> > side of the valve. This can be done in the cabin by dropping the glove
> > box and center heater panel.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > On Wed, Sep 15, 2021 at 8:12 PM Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I am heading out Friday on a short trip to head out into the back
> > > country with a few other van owners and I noticed a small stain
> > > under the front clam shell this afternoon.
> > >
> > > It looks like it is dripping from the heater control valve.  I shut
> > > the valve and that has stopped the drips for now.  I have yet to run
> > > the van
> > to
> > > see if that continues to keep things at bay.
> > >
> > > So my question is - but shutting the valve will that hopefully me
> > > from losing coolant  for the short term until it is replaced?  And
> > > will there
> > be
> > > any ramifications for turning off the valve - other than I will
> > > likely not be getting much heat in the front of the cab?
> > >
> > > Bruce
> > >
> >
> >
>