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How well should heater work
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speedygeorge
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:58 am    Post subject: How well should heater work Reply with quote

I have a 91 Westy with only moderate heat being generated from either heater. My question is how much heat should one expect from from these heaters? I have very good air flow.

I seem to recall driving another westy with much better heat (OK maybe this was in my dreams).

What's the easiest/most common way to improve heating.
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motelvw
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You should be getting cooked out of there with two heaters. Your thermostat has probably failed open. What does your temp needle say? If it's riding low, change your thermostat.
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kayakwesty
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 12:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I run mine without the blower motors
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markmc90
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Same I never turn the fan motor on for my front heat and only run the rear for a few minutes at a time. Even on low it is still too warm.
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Mr. Electric Wizard
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The front and rear heat in my '88 will roast you out of the vehicle.
They work very well.
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MarkWard
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is your ambient temperature? I notice you are up north. Mine will throw enough heat that my wife asks me to turn it down, but ambient is around 50 degrees F. That is without the blower on. On mine, the front heater valve is visible when the glove box is open. Verify the cable is operating the valve and that the in and out hose are too hot to hold on to for long.
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speedygeorge
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

motelvw wrote:
You should be getting cooked out of there with two heaters. Your thermostat has probably failed open. What does your temp needle say? If it's riding low, change your thermostat.



Do you mean the engine temp?
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speedygeorge
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

rsxsr wrote:
What is your ambient temperature? I notice you are up north. Mine will throw enough heat that my wife asks me to turn it down, but ambient is around 50 degrees F. That is without the blower on. On mine, the front heater valve is visible when the glove box is open. Verify the cable is operating the valve and that the in and out hose are too hot to hold on to for long.


I will check this out, thanks.
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speedygeorge
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

motelvw wrote:
You should be getting cooked out of there with two heaters. Your thermostat has probably failed open. What does your temp needle say? If it's riding low, change your thermostat.


Dumb question but where is the thermostat?
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MarkWard
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes the engine temp. If the engine is running cool, that is a sure sign the thermostat is stuck open. I was checking my temps this weekend. I see 190F with the heater off. When I turn the heater on, the engine temp drops to 170F and steadily climbs back up to around 190F. The needle hovers just over the LED in the gauge.
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Williamtaylor33
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've driven around when it was in the teens. And with both my heaters on i had to turn the rear heater off after 10-15 minutes. The heat in my westy is better than any other vehicle i've had.
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motelvw
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The thermostat is in a black plastic housing front driver side of the engine compartment. Four bolts hold it together. Soak them in some PB Blaster for a day before you try to remove them. Here's some pics.

http://www.benplace.com/temp_sender.htm

http://www.benplace.com/engine/water_pump_overview1.jpg
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freshintulsa
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is all relative to the your ambient temperature. Its been in the low teens for HIGHs here last few days, and single digits, to near sub zero in the mornings. THe heaters are just barely enough to keep it warm in there, unless you are driving around for a while. I only drive for maybe 10-20 minutes at a time, and after 20 minutes its just starting to get warm in there. When its in the 30s-40s it deffinitely gets warm quickly, enough to turn the heater motor off.
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justcairns
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hardly ever run the heater fans.Will cook you out of the van.
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

freshintulsa wrote:
This is all relative to the your ambient temperature. Its been in the low teens for HIGHs here last few days, and single digits, to near sub zero in the mornings. THe heaters are just barely enough to keep it warm in there, unless you are driving around for a while. I only drive for maybe 10-20 minutes at a time, and after 20 minutes its just starting to get warm in there. When its in the 30s-40s it deffinitely gets warm quickly, enough to turn the heater motor off.

my experiences in the colder weather are the same. Its been in the low 30s in Portland and I drive @ 15 miles each way to work. Pulling off the freeway with both heaters blasting 100%, I turn off the rear heater and the van is almost warm enough to unzip. I should really quit smoking so I do not have to leave a window cracked! Embarassed
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dubstar
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

no matter how cold it is outside, my front heater is blazing...hardly ever use the blower...rear failed about 2 years ago

"The needle hovers just over the LED in the gauge."

that's where mine usually is...I watch it like a hawk LOL...maybe a new radiator this winter
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speedygeorge
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

motelvw wrote:
The thermostat is in a black plastic housing front driver side of the engine compartment. Four bolts hold it together. Soak them in some PB Blaster for a day before you try to remove them. Here's some pics.

http://www.benplace.com/temp_sender.htm

http://www.benplace.com/engine/water_pump_overview1.jpg



I just started to take the bolts off to get at the thermostat and liquid started to come out, what is this and what do I need to do to get thermostat out other then undoing bolts? Help!
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shadetreemech
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

speedygeorge wrote:
I just started to take the bolts off to get at the thermostat and liquid started to come out, what is this and what do I need to do to get thermostat out other then undoing bolts? Help!


The liquid is coolant. That's normal. Once you expose the thermostat just pull it out with your fingers. Make note of its orientation.

Cool
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ajdenette
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My front heater fan has been gone for a couple of years and the rear fan still gets the van quite warm but i do use the front heater just no fan but yes it can cook me out.
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:09 pm    Post subject: Re: How well should heater work Reply with quote

speedygeorge wrote:
I have a 91 Westy with only moderate heat being generated from either heater. My question is how much heat should one expect from from these heaters? I have very good air flow.

I seem to recall driving another westy with much better heat (OK maybe this was in my dreams).

What's the easiest/most common way to improve heating.


Granted I'm running a different engine, but since I have a near new cooling system, to give you some kind of point of reference of what a new cooling system will do....

During this recent cold spell here on the mainland, (below 0* C) I've been getting good heat (in spite of the "hole" near the heater hoses! Wink ) i.e. not so hot that I can't hold my hand at foot heat outlet, but it's certainly almost literally hot.

This is in Vancouver B.C.

Hope that helps.

Neil.

Edit: and this is w/o insulation on heater hoses.

"hole" (though it's been covered a little)


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