I have had this same problem.  I have tried only two remedies, neither one
worked completely.  I tried silicone caulk and pematex (From-a-gasket) to
join the face plates at the shutoff valve.  The leak was slowed, but not
eliminated.  However, I do not know if there is a fundamental flaw in using
these materials or just an inadequate job on my part applying the "sealant".

Inspecting the surfaces of the face plates I cannot figure out why they
should be leaking now when they did not before.  They look good.  It seems
to me like there ought to be a simple fix for this other than purchasing a
new core.

--
Mark A. Williamson
Denver, CO
88 Wolfsburg Multivan (135K)
95 Golf (56K)

> From: Betsy Webb <WebbKVMA@ADELPHIA.NET>
> Organization: Kids Voting Massachusetts
> Reply-To: Betsy Webb <WebbKVMA@ADELPHIA.NET>
> Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 20:31:59 -0400
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: coolant smell
>
> Been there, done that.  Actually I just pulled the cover to find the source
> of the antifreeze smell from the rear heater.  First discovery was the lack
> of a gasket between the shutoff fitting (what I call the valve) and the
> heater core.  When I pushed on the valve and the engine was hot , antifreeze
> sprayed out.  Upon closer examination of the core there was a lot of dried
> antifreeze at the bottom of the core, obvious leakage.
>
> I just pulled the core and put a tempary hose in to conect the in and out
> hoses.  Used 5/8 inch hose and couplings.  Worked well.
>
> New core to arrive for weekend instilation.  The remaining problem is to
> remove the antifreeze from the cork/foam padding under the carpets.  A lot
> accomulated even though I never would smell anything unless the rear blower
> was turned on.
>
> later
>
> Brad
>
> Holm wrote:
>
>> I believe that the shutoff fitting, rather than the core, is
>> probably leaking. From what I understand you need to replace
>> with new,  as there is no "fix" to the fitting itself.
>>
>> You should be able to see the situation quite easily if you pull
>> the cover off.
>>
>> VH
>> 84 Westy
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: todd goodno <tgoodno@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Date: 13 December, 1999 10:01 PM
>> Subject: coolant smell
>>
>>> hey everyone
>>> recently, when turning on my rear heater, i'm smelling anit freeze, i'm
>>> making the uneducated assumption that it is probably my heater core, but
>>> before buying one should there be other things that i check? thanks
>>> todd
>>> 90 westy
>>>
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