A lot of heat in the front cabin: solutions?

[maco70]

Hi to all,

Even I put as always the levers on the right position to try to get less heat inside de vanagon, it still come quite a lot of heat for the dash vent.

Is there options ? ... Did someones have hear about adding a valve to the heater core by the glovebox entrance ?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=635114

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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[kguarnotta]

I think there are a lot of posts/threads about this. I think it is sometimes referred to as "hot foot" problem. I believe that the valve to the heater core is not shutting completely. Some people replace the original valve, some add another valve that they hide behind glove box, or somewhere else. And just open it in cooler weather.
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-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[jlrftype7]

If the cable isn’t adjusted right, you will still have a partially open heater valve

If the heater valve leaks internally, and doesn’t really shut off , you get unwanted heat. One is an adjustment, the other requires a new heater valve OR you install another valve like kquarnotta was talking about as a master shut off valve in one of the heater hoses going to the heater core.
Pictures here on Samba , either way

So, have a friend work the heater valve cable while you lie under the front of the Vanagon with a flashlight, checking the travel of the cable and seeing if it hits the stops on the valve. Really helps to remove the spare tire and lower the clamshell / tire carrier for better viewing.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[bobhill8]

Here is a helpful thread as well:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=699361

[maco70]

Thanks !

I will order the Terry front heater shut off valve.

As Dave did, I might do a double approach, so with the shut off valve, I will replace the OEM valve near the spare tire and adjust the cable, then add some insulation under the foot.

I don’t have anymore the rear heater, so no need this side.

I will install the valve as several did, near the shifter, on a vertical hose to the front heater core.

Many thanks !
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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[bobbyblack]

Well, how warm is the ambient air outside? You have heard yet that there is no outside air shutoff on stock Vanagon setup? If it's hot outside, then hot air comes in, unless you take measures to mitigate that. Several options, take apart dash and add a closure in front of the air inlet, as one of the Dave's has, or block it with duct tape or a flapper as a product by one of the Chris's... Seriously, it's a problem VW endowed us with .. can't imagine not building a outside air shutoff as an engineer, let alone a layperson.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=605822

https://intrepidoverland.com/shop/cabin-air-control/
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Wildthings]

If the cable is bent all to heck you will not be able to turn the heat off. Look for my cable mod on this page

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[Howesight]

I tried several different heater valves, but nothing worked as well as installing a second heater valve right in the engine compartment, leaving the factory valve for the front heater core where it is. Here's an older thread in which I showed my setup: (see bottom of page 1)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9063578&highlight=#9063578
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[jimf909]

Before you order a valve, consider this new product from Vanistan (same source as the air door recommended by bobbyblack.

https://intrepidoverland.com/shop/t3-vanagon-front-heater-valve/

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9342356#9342356

[maco70]

Great idea, following great new product from Vanistan

Thanks !
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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[hardway]

Every 80's VW i ever owned needed a new heater control valve at some point. Most of them it was the first thing I did to it. After that they all got headlight relays. I have low tolerance for stray heat and dim lights.

A new heater valve fixed each and every one. Two valves are not necessary. It is true that the original valves are no longer available. I recently installed several Meyle valve in Vanagons and they are working correctly.

Of course the job of heater valve replacement in a Vanagon is the mother of all 80's VW heater valves. I usually do it prophylactically when the radiator is out. I put a slight pre-load on the cable to ensure complete closure. If you can blow through a heater valve it is not sealing.

[maco70]

What a great call, if I can say, Hardway.
Blowing through the heater valve is cleaver, simple, but I didn’t think about it !
I will
thanks
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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)