Fan heater modificaton on 1980 2Ltr Aircooled

[davidvincent]

So, as winter settles in and my van still starts without hesitation it doesn't chuck out much heat, my understanding is that these vans get a trickle of heat that is piped from the exhaust manifold (is that the case?)...

well, i was wondering if any of you have modified the heating by adding in a fan/blower like the later models have?

if you have done this before, please let me know how you went about it and any costs etc... any advice is appreciated!

Ta
Dave

[Willoughby]

Hi Dave

What van you got? Guessing it's an Aircooled.

If it is the lack of heat is prob down to the condition of the heat exchangers, control flaps or cables.

I had the same problem until I fixed my exhaust system up. Was a days work but well worth it.

[img:291:401]http://www.parka.plus.com/willo/gfx/e1.JPG[/img]


Once sorted you shouldn't need anything extra to get the warm air up front.

K

[jason k]

whs/\/\/\/\/\

the Aircooled vans are really warm as long as all the bits are there

[cumbriankeith]

Dave - yes I did just that. Have a look at this page for the details.

[img:250:245]http://homepages.rya-online.net/allithwaite/Blower.jpg[/img]

[Willoughby]

Hi Keith

Does it make a difference to the speed it takes for the heat to get up front from a cold start?

Once my van is up to temp the standard blower is good, its just the 5 minuets from cold start that's annoying.

K

[davidvincent]

thanks everyone that's given me loads to think about!

david

[cumbriankeith]

It doesn't make it warm up quicker! It just moves the warm air up front better once it is warm - there's a fair bit of metal for the exhaust to heat up before the exchangers can do their bit. All you can do is start it up and let it run for a few mins (and get your van nicked!)

[CovKid]

Lagging isn't a bad idea. On type1's and type2's it wasn't unusual for owners to fit additional lagging over the winter for heater pipes to at least retain as much heat for the interior as possible. A system in good condition can actually kick out considrable heat but I've also come across beetle heat exchangers with winter coats in the past. Main thing is eliminate any leaks from exchangers to interior and if your exchangers are fairly old, their performance can go down hill.

[jason k]

or if its instant heat you want plumb a propex in.

[CovKid]

Going back many years, my Dad used to keep a small, low, paraffin heater under his engine each evening - kept engine toasty all night and made it quicker and easier to start and the heating to kick in when he went out in the morning. No bad idea if your vehicle is off the highway and the winter is bad.

Simple idea but it does work rather well.