Dennis this thread had made me think about that. Oh the Vanagon thought that inter our heads when confronted with Amazon and Banggood. The fight against satan never ends: )

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 25, 2024, at 7:23 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> If one want s to be really creative consider an electric solenoid valve to control coolant flow. Amazon ahs a number of 12 volt valves available at reasonable cost. This even allows for some automation. Add a thermostat switch. Consider for the rear heater. Turn off the flow to the rear heater until the return from the front is warm? Oh the options. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Alistair Bell
> Sent: Friday, May 24, 2024 10:42 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Front heater never shuts off
> 
> Interesting coincidence….i just got one of tencents ( intrepid overland ) heater valves with the constant bleeding feature .  Air bleeding of coolant, not fingers.
> 
> Haven’t installed yet.
> 
> My stock valve does not stop coolant to core any more.  
> 
> Alistair 
> 
>> On May 24, 2024, at 4:24 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> On the cheap(er) OEM style replacements, they will lose the ability 
>> to shut off water flow no matter if they are open or closed. I went 
>> through about three of those before ordering the then-$70 Gowesty 
>> upgrade valve and installing it. Even then it failed after two years 
>> but they sent me a free replacement. That has been about twelve years 
>> and no problem with the valve, just the cable-kink service Dennis describes one time.
>> 
>> The swap out operation is almost trivial. Don’t try to work with your 
>> hands up in the valve cavity lying on your back. Drop the glovebox and 
>> remove the two heater hose connections from the heater core. Pinch off 
>> the hoses with harbor freight hose clamps so you don’t lose coolant. 
>> Lower the whole valve assembly to the driveway and work on it there, 
>> then draw the hoses back up and reconnect to the heater core.
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>>> On Fri, May 24, 2024 at 6:12 AM Dennis Haynes 
>>> <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> First place to look is at the cable. Common for it to kink at the 
>>> lever end. Easy to service after pulling instrument cluster.
>>> Only reason to replace valve is if it is frozen to the point it 
>>> cannot move or it leaks. If it moves, it will close as best it can 
>>> unless the guts were melted.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of 
>>> ron johnson
>>> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2024 10:03 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Front heater never shuts off
>>> 
>>> My 91 is so uncomfortable in the summer.
>>> Heat pours out of the dash with the heat control fully off.
>>> Recommendations mostly point to replacing the control valve which is 
>>> a difficult process. Howes sells a deluxe unit for $90…..
>>> Can a shut-off valve be installed in an easier to access location.
>>> 
>>> Many Thanks,
>>> Ron J
>>> Portland, OR
>>> 91 Weekender, ‘Betsy’
>>>