Non heating heater

[daddyg]

Well I've had the van for nearly a year now and after today I decided I really need to do something about the heater. I've got an Aircooled van and I've not been able to get a Haynes manual for it so I don't know where to begin.

The blower works fine but there is absolutely no heat whatsoever no matter how long it's on for. And it's not just not very good - its definitely cold. My other cars a land rover so I'm used to crap heaters but this is defo not right.

Any ideas/pointers?

Thanks,

Gareth.

[BOXY]

Start at the heat exchangers on both side of the exhaust, and make sure the pipework from the fan housing is still in place and air-tight. Check the top surface of the heat exchangers to make sure they haven't rotted out, because if they are shot any heat will go straight out the back of the van. Next check the pod attached on each exchanger to see if the heater cable is actually opening them. If it's not you can always zip-tie them in the open position until the weather gets wamer. The pipes from the pods joins into a 3. 1/2" ducting that runs to the front of the van. If all the joints are air tight that's as much as you can do, apart from maybe lagging the ducting to keep the heating in.

The blower works fine

I didn't think Aircooled vans had a blower as standard?

[daddyg]

Hi boxy

Thanks for the reply. At the risk of sounding like a total nugget you don't have any pictures or drawings of how it should be? I'm beginning to think there's something amiss. I've got some hoses coming off the engine but they don't go anywhere and there's nowhere obvious that they would tie into.

I'm not sure about the blower being standard. Don't all cars have a blower/heater? Even my old landies have them and they're really basic.

Cheers

Gareth

[BOXY]

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/Heating.html#operation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ThIs link is for a T2 but the lay-out and operation is pretty similar. Basically the heat exchangers are metal jackets that fit over the exhaust. The air in this jacket is heated by the exhaust and the fan driven by the engine pushes this "hot" air through the ducting to the front of the van. The pods either open and let the hot air in front of the engine bay (heating off), or close and let it make its way forward (heating on).

My van definately didn't have a blower. I fitted a bilge blower in the "fat" ducting behind the radiator grill to help suck the heat from the back of the van. Where is the blower on your van, and what switch works it?

[daddyg]

Cheers for that Boxy.

Things are now a lot clearer! After a brief crawl underneath this morning I've found a couple of holes and leaks so that'll explain the problem I guess!

Unfortunately it's far too cold for crawling about under today and I'm away back offshore in the morning so it looks like a job for next trip.

Rally appreciate your help with this,

Gaz.

[billybigspud]

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/15067844 ... s&var=sbar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nevill3]

Try this one its cheaper

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Volkswa ... 1850100294

or this for hardback

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Volkswa ... 0856966385

[daddyg]

Thanks very much chaps for the links. I obviously am garbage at searching! I've looked high and low (or so I thought!).

Much appreciated.

[CovKid]

T2 owners often used to lag their heater pipework (imagine how much is being lost without). I've also seen one where the central heater pipe was replaced by plastic drainpipe to good effect. Seal the leaks, make sure any heater flaps are open and it should work great. I once melted a pair of wellies in the back of a beetle. Despite the put-downs, Aircooled heating can be excellent, even if it takes a while to kick in.