Rear heater coolant leak from strange place

GeoffreyHawk

Thought my latest coolant leak was the o-ring for the rear heater valve, so I purchased a new o-ring and the valve while I was at it. Went out just now to install and discovered to my dismay that the coolant is coming from a different place: the round whitish object just to the right and above the hex bolt that attaches the valve (see photo). When I squeeze the coolant hose, water squirts out of this place:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

What is that place, and what's the fix (other than eliminating the heater altogether -- I've read those posts)?

Thanks.
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Geoffrey Smith
Santa Rosa, CA
1990 Vanagon Westfalia automatic... 'Gypsy'

T3 Pilot · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Geoffrey,

That looks like the remains of the bleeder screw. It appears from your image that it is chewed up . The O ring on this all plastic screw is clearly leaking and now the problem will be to extract the old screw and replace it and the suspect O ring. Use silicone grease on the new plug when reinstalling.
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1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

photogdave · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject:

That's the heater core bleeder valve I believe. Is it like a threaded plastic screw? Mine broke and caused a pretty big coolant leak. I had the heater bypassed and picked up a couple of new bleeder valves and o rings from Van-Cafe.
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flopper · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:24 pm Post subject:

That's the plastic bleeder screw but the head has broken off. Unfortunately I don't know how to replace it without replacing the heater core. Wow...I'm a slow at typing/r.

Mike
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85 Vanagon GL 7pass manual in the process of finding out all that's wrong.
One VW at a time so far, past memories...
75 Westy weekender, 92 Eurovan GL and to start it off 82 Vanagon GL 9pass.

Perales · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject:

Here you go.

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_291_225/rear_seat_heater_core_bleeder_valve.html
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_290_225/rear_seat_heater_core_bleeder_valve_o_ring.html
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-- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino)

T3 Pilot · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:34 pm Post subject:

This is what the part looked like originally. your challenge will be to remove the remnant. This is one of the few times that a screw extractor might work.

The silicone grease is the key to ensuring that the new part can be installed and removed easily. Don't forget the O ring.
_________________
1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

GeoffreyHawk · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject:

OMG, the screw is beautiful! I had no idea there (ever) was a screw there. I've certainly never bled it personally in ten years -- I only bleed the front radiator and the rear thermostat (which is currently stuck).

I'll order a new one pronto.

I've ordered from both Van-Cafe (set of tires) and GoWesty (mostly) and Bus Boys (a few odds and ends parts). Any preferences? Or should I just leave that decision to myself? Smile

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Geoffrey Smith
Santa Rosa, CA
1990 Vanagon Westfalia automatic... 'Gypsy'

SteelB12 · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject:

Hmm, something ELSE that I need to inspect
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1987 Westy

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject:

Ditto...
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

GeoffreyHawk · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:56 pm Post subject:

I went ahead an ordered the whole heater core from Van-Cafe. Hope to head off a core failure down the line. Now if only the 'T' connectors and hoses will hold up...

Thanks everyone.
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Geoffrey Smith
Santa Rosa, CA
1990 Vanagon Westfalia automatic... 'Gypsy'

OhChit · Samba Member Joined: January 29, 2004 Posts: 271

Recently went to bleed my coolant lines and when I tried to bleed the rear heater my bleeder screew broke as soon as I touched it. So after doing some searching I decide to replace the rear heater core with one from Busdepot only $69. Bucks it came with the new bleeder screw. While i was in there I also replaced the rear heater shut off valve... Now all is dry with good heat.

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=867819121A
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