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Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:57 pm

So, i know to an extent it's just par for the course, but when I use my heater in my 74 thing (Not the '73 gas heater), the whole car, and me, end up smelling...exhausted or...I don't know but it ain't good!

What can be done to fix that problem? I feel like some of it is just that those heater channels are old and have never been cleaned at all, is it possible to clean them? I must be honest, the heating system in vw's is really a mystery to me.

Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:48 pm

I don't know the ins and outs of the exhaust heat exchange system but if you're getting exhaust fumes inside don't use it until you have the leak repaired. Maybe it just needs a gasket. I'm sure somebody with more experience will chime in or use the super handy search feature for exhaust leak.

Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:23 am

That is not par for the course for either heater system! I am not just saying that it is unacceptable; I am also saying that it isn't 'normal' and shouldn't be considered as such. Do not use that heater until you get it fixed. Period. I wouldn't want you to get carbon monoxide poisoning from your heater system.

If I were you I would inspect your heat exchangers first thing. Make sure there aren't rusted through anywhere. When the exhaust gases are no longer kept separate from the heating air, you've got a problem that you need to fix right away.

Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:07 am

An oil leak that drips onto the heat exchanger smells pretty bad too. If there is no exhaust leak, you may simply have oil on the heat exchangers.

Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:01 am

portraitmac wrote: An oil leak that drips onto the heat exchanger smells pretty bad too. If there is no exhaust leak, you may simply have oil on the heat exchangers.

X2

I have had too many VW's to count and that is the most common stink in a VW heater system. A former PO not correcting a leaking valve cover the saturates the exchanger with oil that gets cooked and blown into the cars interior.

Only good way to correct that is to replace the exchanger in question.

Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:29 am

I've found these issues that cause the stinky heater smell....

1. Leaking exhaust combined with bad/missing engine to body seals.

2. Oil contamination of the ENTIRE engine tin/heat exchanger system.

3. Internal leaks in the exchangers.

1 and 2 are VERY common. While internal leaks in the exchangers are far less common. Not that I haven't seen them, just not very often.

I typically recommend pulling the engine, stripping all the cooling tin and the exchangers then dropping the whole mess at you local machine shop for an extended bath in their parts washer.

While your waiting throw all new gaskets at the exhaust (possibility replace the exhaust too) and install two new engine compartment seals.

I know these aren't "quick" fixes but there really aren't any to this problem.

Eric

Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:41 pm

portraitmac wrote: An oil leak that drips onto the heat exchanger smells pretty bad too. If there is no exhaust leak, you may simply have oil on the heat exchangers.

That's closer to the stink I have I think.