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J.A.P.III
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2020
Posts: 72
Location: WA.
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 Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 9:53 am Post subject: Front heat on feet |
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I was wondering if I put a valve to block heat from blowing on feet in summer, will it make my van run much hotter, and will it mess with my A.C. It's an 89' Wolfsburg 2.1
Thanks for any info |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8196
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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1) No (unless your engine cooling system is severely compromised.
2) No.
Lots of threads here on different valves to install when the oem valve is not closing (although if the oem valve is operating correctly it won't allow hot coolant into the heater core).
A simple hose clamp pliers will also block coolant flow to the heater core. There are dozens of ways to skin this cat.
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Howesight
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008
Posts: 3410
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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In addition to completely shutting coolant flow to the front heater core, it’s important, when curing “Vanagon hot foot”, to stop all ingress of hot external air. The Vanagon HVAC box does a poor job of this. Try the system sold by tencentlife here on the samba. Until it arrives, you can apply duct tape over the air intake behind the upper grille.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8196
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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I used duct tape to block off the intake for years. The tencent solution is a nice upgrade.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=651327&highlight=
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4627
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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Corkins changed his web site a while ago, here is the new one, you'll easily see the vent kit here:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Also, Chris created a better version of the front heater core shutoff valve. If you suspect your valve is not operating properly, perhaps his version would be of interest. I like the automatic bleeding, amazingly intuitive.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch
Last edited by bobbyblack on Mon Jul 05, 2021 2:11 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52488
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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| If you have a four lever climate control, leaving the bottom lever in the open position will lessen the leakage and whistling in the heater box. |
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4578
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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Another vote for Vanistan vent mod.
Remember to check for the radiant barrier between the radiator and the passenger compartment.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc...=titleonly
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
When you stir up shit you're bound to get some on yourself.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)! |
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2938
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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I just ran 70mph on the highway with the a/c rocking for a few hours and a pex ball valve cutting off the coolant flow to my heater core. No change in running temps 90 plus degrees out. No hot foot I, or my wife, noticed.
I’m sure the tencent kit is awesome and better, but the ball valve helps.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8196
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
I’m sure the tencent kit is awesome and better, but the ball valve helps. |
They serve two different purposes and complement each other well: the tencent air gate blocks 95% of the (warm or cold) fresh air; the valve stops hot coolant from getting to the heater core.
For summer, my first step would be to stop the hot coolant from getting to the core and heating any air crossing its path (similar to whatyou did), next I'd add duct tape or the tencent air gate to keep hot outside air from getting in the van.
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4627
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
| No hot foot I, or my wife, noticed. |
Well, hey, congratulations!! Hadn't heard you are a newlywed as of yet!! And, of course, the part where she didn't get offended by your hot foot (or lack there of)!! Score!! I'm about to see my 2 year anniversary myself!
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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plummerdesign
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2010
Posts: 548
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:54 am Post subject: Re: Front heat on feet |
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Adding to the hubris...
Is there no limit to my ‘DORKITUDE’?
So, early last week I installed a heater valve just like the one up near the radiator but placed this one behind the cab heater fascia panel. Why?
Hot foot syndrome.
The syndrome is caused because the new OEM valve at the radiator never 100% closes, likely due to a weak lever controller wire (JP Dansk). This allowed enough hot coolant to enter the heater core for my water bottles to get warm and foot to get sweaty. The heavy-duty brass ball valve other Sambaistas do to fix was a challenge to get fitted behind the fascia panel, as it is quite bulky. OK. I keep a spare OEM (171-819-809E) heater valve or two in the bin for whenever a Vanagon shows up needing a radiator change out. Common part. Guess what? It fits PERFECTLY behind the panel.
The little flat lever received a PVC cap for my finger to locate when poking in through the slightly modified fascia panel. Lever up for ‘on’, lever down for ‘off’.
Best thing is NO MORE HOT FOOT. Drinks stay cool too.
Took under an hour and made two recent trips in summer heat (no a/c) more comfortable.
.
Lookie:
: )
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It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9 |
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