In a message dated 10/19/98 11:29:14 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
rrjohnson@MAIL.ARC.NASA.GOV writes:

<<
 Once home, I disassembled the heater but haven't determined exactly
 where it's leaking.  The hoses are fine so I'm guessing the heater core
 has a small leak.  Anyway, I don't plan on ever living where it's cold
 enough to need that heater so I am considering removing all the plumbing
 from where it junctions with the hoses and removing the heater
 (potential bleeding point) all together.  I could use the extra storage
 more than the heat in the rear.

 Am I missing anything obvious where the removal of this unit will cause
 damage somewhere else?  My instincts say yanking it will be okay but
 I've been wrong before.  The only evil ramification I can think of is
 that under VERY hot engine conditions, I will be losing a potential
 source for cooling some coolant.

 If anyone else has had this problem before, I'd appreciate hearing how
 you went about cleaning the floor padding and carpet.  I'd like to
 remove the possibility of my dog getting to the padding and licking the
 toxic stuff.  I'll probably just replace the carpet but the padding
 doesn't look so easy (or cheap) to replace.

 Thanks in advance for tips and suggestions.

 Roy Johnson and
 Glenda Guagua ('87 GL)

 PS  The VW Vanagonia I saw up in Canada was inspiring.  I saw alot of
 really well preserved Westies (Eurovan Westies too) and a very cool
 Single Cab.  I've see a few crew cabs but that single cab was the first
 and it had me thinking maybe...  That's probably why Glenda started
 leaking.  Just her way of venting a little jealousy.

  >>
Hi Roy, by removing the rear heater core, you won't hurt a thing. The rear
heater isn't that expensive though and it's easy to replace. I used to live in
the Bay area, and it's nice to have that rear heat for those cold feet,
especially for those trips to Lake Tahoe.  See ya.
 Michael, North Bend, WA
 87 syncro
 87 quattro