Page 1 of 2
1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 28 Apr 2013, 22:18
by shotjase2
Hi, just wondering if anyone could help me out with a couple of questions or point me in the right direction? Does anyone know of a site that explains how the rear heater works in a 1989 T25? Mine has burst on me pretty bad and it seems that the heating unit is leaking somewhere rather than the pipes into it...I can't seem to see where but I suspect it's the top section where the water comes into rather than leaving. (I assume the water comes in the top pipe and out the bottom one?) I've checked the pipes and they all seem fine and are very tightly secured to the connection. It's leaking so bad I lost all the water from the engine water tanks (reserve and main..not actually sure what these are called) Luckily the water light was working so I stopped without causing any damage as it was near my house. If the heating unit is broken, is there any reason why I can't just hook the two pipes up that went in and out of it together so they loop the water back into the cooling system? Many thanks. Stu
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 28 Apr 2013, 22:27
by R0B
Put an ad in wanted if you want to replace the rear heater.Linking the two pipes together is what I did when I removed the heater from my van.
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 28 Apr 2013, 22:48
by Oldiebut goodie
You can link them or cap them off individually - it will not make any difference. Best way is to remove the Ts from the pipes underneath and just have a straight coupling - less joints to leak or worry about. You could also turn the Ts underneath and use a short hose to join the two there so that the joints are no longer inside the pride and joy.

Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 08:15
by slowcoach
There are constant discussions on this on thesamba.com vanagon forums, if you want to read further. Sounds like a lot of people prefer to free some space up than have the heater!
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 12:54
by shotjase2
Thanks for all your help guys! Think I'm going to block the pipes for now (those other forums said not to link the pipes together as this can cause overheating due to not having a restriction on the inlet) and then take the heater apart a little to see where it's leaking from. Cheers.
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 12:57
by R0B
Mine have been linked together for the last 6 years without any problems.
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 13:03
by Titus A Duxass
Mine have also been linked together for a number of years and we've been over the Brenner Pass in +30 temps.
Anyone that says otherwise is talking out of their arris.
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 13:27
by Oldiebut goodie
Mine had been linked for nigh on 15 years - someone hasn't a clue how the water circulates!
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 21:19
by shotjase2
Ok cool, sounds like I'll just link it up then! I've taken the heater out now and have taken it apart and there are no cracks or seals worn out, the O ring looks new, I've pushed water through the valves and I can't see any water leaking out. I guess when the water heats up/gets pressure in it, it could be a different story. Does the actual heating unit core (the mini radiator thing) ever get holes in it or leak itself?
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 21:55
by lloydy
its normally the o ring on the valve on the side of the heater that leaks, but the core can leak too. It's quite a cheap easy thing to replace, about 3 years ago i paid around £30 for a new core. Mine gets used a lot in winter, gives a nice even spread of heat in the van
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 22:02
by shotjase2
Thanks for the reply, where did you get your core from? I've posted a wanted on here so I might have some luck. I'll replace the o ring and put some sealant on it too...quite keen for the back heater as my old T25 (air cooled/heated) was freezing over the winter. Cheers
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 30 Apr 2013, 06:13
by lloydy
Sure I got mine from here
http://www.veedubmachine.co.uk/heater-m ... p-851.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 22 Feb 2015, 14:27
by rubyvan
Hi
Can anyone help
I am onthe lookout for the small white plastic screw that I think is the bleed screw on a rear heater in a t25
It is located on the top of the heater and is clearly visible when you look at the heater
Mine has split allowing coolant to flood the van and hence not good for the engine cooling system as the heater gets its heat (via coolant/water mix ) directly from the engine rendering the van undrivable untill I get this sorted
can anyone help
cheers
steve
Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 22 Feb 2015, 16:12
by kevtherev
is it the one pictured here?

Re: 1989 T25 rear heater
Posted: 22 Feb 2015, 16:17
by kevtherev
Post a picture up of the split, it may be repairable.
Getting a new one might be a bit difficult.