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Vanhalla
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2016
Posts: 80
Location: Portland
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 Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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So last summer I installed a second valve under the dash, I've insulated the floor and hump area, and I've duct taped the fresh air intake mesh screen. I still get some hot air coming out of the vents.
What's the next step? And can anything else be done before/without pulling the dash and re-sealing the old heater box?
_________________
1991 VW Vanagon GL
https://www.instagram.com/bjornthebus/
Parts wanted/needed - A high top. CLK wheels. A weekender rear cabinet and head banger. |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 9:36 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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cover the fresh air intake behind the upper grill with something impervious to wind/water.
roll down a winder if you want some fresh air..
stop all airflow from entering the airbox.
if your floor still heats from the radiator.
I've made a shroud of aluminized bubble wrap that fastens to the shroud and directs the radiator heated air down and not in direct contact with the 'firewall'
cheap, easy and waterproof
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| Abscate wrote: |
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yiucycle
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2007
Posts: 421
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| Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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i think the hot air is coming from the radiating heat from the radiator. Since the radiator sandwich between the firewall. I put the reflective bubble insulation in between the firewall and radiator and it helps a bit but still get hot eventually on a long drive. Also even with the shut off valve, the heater will eventually heat up with long hot day of driving. Maybe install two shut off valve on the inlet and outlet line of the heater so it completely shut it off will help??
During the hot summer in So Cal, i have been jamming a small towel or anything to block the fresh air vent and just use the window/wing window to bring in fresh air.
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1980 2.8LV6 Fiero ASI/Riviera Vanagon
"there is no point in being embarrassed of all the stupid shit i done and will continue to do"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
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| Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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| McVanagon wrote: |
I've seen this mod before. This guy made a trip to the Home Depot.
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Is it possible to do this mod in a way that makes it possible to shut off the flow without removing the trim panel? If so, pics? |
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figborg
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2015
Posts: 338
Location: Northeast
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| Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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| llilibel03 wrote: |
Is it possible to do this mod in a way that makes it possible to shut off the flow without removing the trim panel? If so, pics? |
Once installed you don't have to remove the panel again to open and shut off. At least I don't, but I have small hands. You just have to reach from the side and grab the lever.
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-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374 |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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FINALLY took the time to do this mod...after many summer road trips, completely
rebuilding AC system, this should be the final step to relative road trip comfort...
Recent documentation from trip across the state & back (daughter back to college):
FWIW - We never see triple-digit temps here in Northern MN, but I do NOT
need my foot roasting in these conditions ever again... (temp at foot pedal
is actually 99° F!!! (96°F+3° correction; 88° ambient) Uff da... 
This is with the reworked AC keeping the rest of the cabin comfortably 20°
below ambient & a 12" fan blowing cool air forward towards driver's foot well... 
Reflectix under all front carpet, as well as inside radiator/transmission hump
and resealing/insulating the plastic pedal linkage shroud should be good... 
Keep cool & see you on the road!
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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HOPS
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Melbourne
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| Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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Hey guys,
A few questions:
Will I need to drain the coolant to perform this mod?
If not - do I need to be careful of coolant spilling onto the carpet during cutting (hose)?
What size ball valve is required?
Thanks in advance. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:12 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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This is a bit pricey...gasp...cough.cough!
From GoWesty. If you check online or local FLAPS you might find better price.
http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=24371
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:16 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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| HOPS wrote: |
Hey guys,
A few questions:
Will I need to drain the coolant to perform this mod?
If not - do I need to be careful of coolant spilling onto the carpet during cutting (hose)?
What size ball valve is required?
Thanks in advance. |
Not if you buy some hose clamps to squeeze the hoses flat to stop the coolant flow.
Alternately you could use 2 pieces of wood and large vise grips, but you'd probably have to buy a vise or 2 to get both sides of the hose where the valve will go. So maybe better to get hose clamps from Harbor Freight.
It is 5/8th's heater hose so you will also need to hose barbs to fit into 5/8th hose plus teflon tape and the valve 1/2" or 3/4", but I think 1/2" would work.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 6:29 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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I was thinking of just using a gate valve with the "old fashioned" red round handle coming through the plastic cover just for the look of it!
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HOPS
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Melbourne
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:41 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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Thanks Steve.
How do you remove the cover with an automatic transmission? I've seen instructions for the Manual trans, however I'm a little hesitant to pull it off with force |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 8:10 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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| HOPS wrote: |
Thanks Steve.
How do you remove the cover with an automatic transmission? I've seen instructions for the Manual trans, however I'm a little hesitant to pull it off with force |
Never force anything especially 30 year old brittle plastic!
It was "assembled" so it can be un-assembled.
I don't have an auto so someone else will have to give you insights.
Best I can do is study the IPB of the controls.
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There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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RicoS
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2006
Posts: 583
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| Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| llilibel03 wrote: |
| McVanagon wrote: |
I've seen this mod before. This guy made a trip to the Home Depot.
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Is it possible to do this mod in a way that makes it possible to shut off the flow without removing the trim panel? If so, pics? |
In my experience, the answer is yes . . . sorta.
Some time ago I got tired of the junk plastic heater valves now found in cars, so I bought four or five brass heater valves which were originally spec'd for 60's era Ford Econolines (among others). I wish I had bought a case of them because when my stock was getting low, I ordered up some more from Four Seasons and the same part number had morphed into useless plastic Chinese dreck.
I've plugged these brass valves into Vanagons at about the same spot as that ball valve shown above. The only complication is that the operating cable from the heater control panel has to be lengthened about a foot and a half.
I rout the cable around the top of the heater box left to right and approach the heater valve from the right side.
Since the operating levers on the valves I use take less of a stroke than a stock Vanagon heater valve, the lever at the control panel now stops about an inch from its original full on position at maximum heat.
Also, I remove the stock heater valve and replace it with a hose splice fitting. I know I could just open the valve fully and leave it in place, but how long will it be before a plastic valve with an internal leak starts to piss to atmosphere?
By the way, ball valves come in standard port or full port. I'm not sure why, but for any particular size a standard port valve has a greatly reduced cross sectional area compared to the full port flavor. The next time you're in Home Depot, or wherever you source your ball valves, put an eyeball on the port size. You'll probably be surprised how small a standard port is.
Richie (near The Burgh) |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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...and then clean the tracks & add a dab of silicone grease -or- dry lube
(jig-a-loo, graphite...) before reinstalling - it'll come off easily the next time...
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22639
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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| Quote: |
| useless plastic Chinese dreck. |
Priceless.... 
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kaalualu
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2011
Posts: 274
Location: Big Island, Hawaii
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:41 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon/Westy Hot Foot! |
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OMG, no wonder TK became so cynical. 9 pages for this mod seems excessive. So simple.
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'84 Transporter 16" CLK's/LED's/ AT's/Mansi injectors
'86 Wolfey Weekender Westfalia AT's/otherwise stock
Sold-'82 TinTop Diesel |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22639
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 12:18 am Post subject: |
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| llilibel03 wrote: |
| McVanagon wrote: |
I've seen this mod before. This guy made a trip to the Home Depot.
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Is it possible to do this mod in a way that makes it possible to shut off the flow without removing the trim panel? If so, pics? |
This mod is crying to be put on vertical so that the handle tucks nicelyalong side that glovebox.
Don’t they teach aesthetics in engineering anymore.
Time for Matlock, then my nap
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