Leaky Vanagon Heater Valve
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 5:25 am
I started noticing a few random coolant drips under the spare tire pan which led to the discovery of a leak at or around the heater valve (above the spare tire). I snugged the hose clamps on both sides of the valves but the leak persisted. I did some searching and found an interesting option on theSamba.
I went with the 660-1141 Balkamp valve and have been leak-free for a few days now, feeling pretty confident in the fix. I swapped the arm off my existing (leaking) valve over to the new part and finessed it's rotational position to cooperate with the throw from the dash lever. I have full-on, full-off, and good travel between. I didn't need to modify any coolant hoses and the new part feels much more robust than the original style. FWIW just thought it might be worth documenting here for someone's future knowledge.
Also, I found it much easier to get the actuation cable all set up first with the valve free, and then connect up the coolant hoses. It was too difficult to maneuver everything in those tight quarters otherwise.
I went with the 660-1141 Balkamp valve and have been leak-free for a few days now, feeling pretty confident in the fix. I swapped the arm off my existing (leaking) valve over to the new part and finessed it's rotational position to cooperate with the throw from the dash lever. I have full-on, full-off, and good travel between. I didn't need to modify any coolant hoses and the new part feels much more robust than the original style. FWIW just thought it might be worth documenting here for someone's future knowledge.
Also, I found it much easier to get the actuation cable all set up first with the valve free, and then connect up the coolant hoses. It was too difficult to maneuver everything in those tight quarters otherwise.