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Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:54 pm

So I see there's lots of talk about removing the rear heater, but how about simply moving/relocating it? I have the weekender/multivan with the looong rear bench. The heater is stuck right in the middle of all my prime storage space. I'd like to move it to the end of the bench nearest the driver's side. It get's cold up here so the kids still need it, it's just in an awkward spot. Would running longer hoses mess the system up, or would it simply involve re-burbing the coolant system with a higher fluid volume? Any words of wisdom?

Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:10 am

There is no technical reason preventing you from moving the rear heater. I agree with you. it is popular to remove the rear heater, but I really like the fast, uniform heat that the rear heater provides. Repair it once, and it is good for another twenty years.

Moving it to the far end is an interesting solution. There is a bleeder valve on the heater core that will make it easy to get air out of the lines. I'd change the o-rings while doing the job.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:20 am

Hey, great idea. I think I'll move mine right up to the dashboard. It's a lot easier to deal with the rear heater than the front!

I've got two Vanagons, and the front heater fan was bad on both. I had my mechanic do the front on my '87 Wolfsburg, because it's my daily driver and I need it for heat and defrosting in the winter. You can get a good amount of air going through without the fan above about 40 mph, but that doesn't help when you're trying to defog or defrost first thing.

I did take my rear heater out of the camper, because I only use it from about March to October, and the blower motor was pretty well seized up on it as well. I thought I'd rather have the storage space under the seat. I removed the T's and replaced with straight line.

Maybe one of these days this winter I'll take out my dash to do the front heater on the camper.

Ed in CT

Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:48 am

I like the idea of moving the heater. I really like the rear heater... I wouldn't ever eliminate it, but I've read accounts where folks have rebuilt the heater only to have it leak within a couple of years, so nothing's guaranteed. Another option would be to go the route of the old air cooled setups where the heater was either in the engine compartment or under the belly of the van. Granted, those were gas heaters... because you couldn't really get enough heat off the heat exchangers to do much more than defrost a peep hole in the windshield. I don't see why the same thing couldn't be done with a coolant based heater, which would free up storage space and keep any potential leaks outside the van. Still, moving the heater off to the side would be simpler... just make sure you're not going to be dripping antifreeze on your ECU... that would be bad!

Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:08 am

So, barring any difficulties in fitting the heater in front of the ECU, I think I might give this a try. Any worries adding heat to the area around the ECU? Since it is tucked over in the corner, the stock cover can no doubt be modified to make it all fit. Maybe some heat protection between the two? To do the job right, I suppose I should make the extensions under the floor, and then make two new holes for the hoses. Anyone know offhand what hose and connectors I should be looking for?

While I'm at it, and moving the vent, I'll be replacing the front panel of the bench. In the multivan, the bench front angles back. To go along with my space maximizing paradigm, the new front will go straight down. This will give Toaster another two inches of depth along the full length and height. Now I'll have room for all the extra spare parts I really should be carrying :roll: ...

Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:30 am

I moved my rear heater to the far left (driver's side) All I did was add extra length heater hose, I found the coupler's and hose at the local auto parts store and have had no problems. It has been about 8 years now, I would not make any new holes in the metal.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:34 am

It was mentioned that the hoses are 5/8" thrugh the T, and 1/2" to the heater. I replaced my Ts with 5/8" straight couplers, but I didn't measure the hose at the heater.

Ed in CT