Water pipes and local help

[Ol-B'Stard]

Hi all this is my first post so I'd better start by saying I am no mechanic more of a tinkerer so anything deeply mechanical or any heavyweight technical theory may sail well over my head.
Long-ish question story...
I have recently bought a 1983 Westfalia (LHD) 1.6D high-top, the temperature red warning light started flashing and the needle went off the scale. I checked the belts, top one was fine the bottom was very slack. I went to the local garage and the guys there changed out the belts for me. All fine - till about 100 yards from home, lights and needle again. I had a look at posts regarding temperature gauges and dash lights and levels needing to correct. I let the van cool and checked the coolant levels, I topped up the tank in the engine bay and the tank below the rear flap, quick test run and all fine again. Short run to the shops a couple of days later and lights and needle again. I checked for leaks and found that behind the spare wheel pan one of the two smaller diameter hozes was dripping when the engine was running I can't tell if it is leaking from here or if this is just the lowest point of the hoze for the water to drip from. I checked as far up the hozes as I could including the clips and I could not find any direct evidence of leaks. I was restricted in getting under the van to check any further back.
My question is twofold:
I am thinking that the long length of hoze will need replacing and the coolant drained and replaced, is this a job for a tinkerer without access to ramps or props or should I go to a professional -
Secondly, the local guys are good with modern cars but I am not too sure about handing over my van. I live in Knebworth which is in north Hertfordshire, can anyone recommend a local-ish mechanic with more than a passing knowledge of VW vans. Many thanks in advance.

[Oldiebut goodie]

It may be the heater control valve gone kaput - it is up there. Only a couple of quids from gsf - common to a lot of engines like golfs.

[Ol-B'Stard]

Many thanks for the reply.
Is this valve the black plastic thing linked to the hoze behind the fan?
Who/what are gsf?
Thanks again

[Damien]

GSF- german swedish and french, do car parts for yes you've guessed it german swedish and french cars pretty much nation wide

http://www.gsfcarparts.com

[Oldiebut goodie]

It's under the gearstick boot or up behind the spare wheel (there are two ways of getting to it - I did it via the gearstick boot)- the lever on the dash heating control connects to it via a cable.

[Ol-B'Stard]

Thanks for the suggestions re the valve folks I will investigate.
If it does prove to be split hozes, is this a big/complicated job? And again, if anyone has any recommendations for north Herts VW van friendly mechanics I would be very greatful.

[Damien]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ga ... 5_Specific

[Ol-B'Stard]

Thanks Damien, one of these is very local and the Herts VW Club sounds like a very good lead.