What would you do, more pondering on the heat issue.

I didn't want to add to my specific van thread as i'm after advice or a fresh approach and general discussion will get more views on this i reckon, anyway as some know i've been trying to cobble the heating on the van with bits i've bought cheap/been given and this in itself has now found that i have engine problems....now forgetting that for now 'cos i can't do that until i source the parts and help. so back to the heating, i had no heat just j tubes, i've assembled the bits i need to refit the heating but it's a mish mash of us/uk/who knows.....anyway the long and short of it is i've started cleaning and playing with the layout and it is not compatible/damaged/wrong so i want some advice on what you would do, tell me if you think i should just fix the engine and put the j's back on and buy a propex or should i make the crap i've got fit, should i try to source correct spec' parts? new prices are stupid on them though so i don't think it's an option, i know some of you dream of only having such a "small" problem but it's getting on my nerves now, here is a short video that shows the state of the exchangers after cleaning and the pipework that doesn't fit.
Rusty wrong exchangers.MOV

 

put a log burner in there

 

yeah thanks malc, i fear you're right, basically confirming what i think too, i can't see the point of bodging the stuff i've sourced so far for it to be inefficient...but sometimes it takes another person to tell you what you know makes sense i think.

 

Yep, I reckon go down the propex route too, I fear you cant really bodge the heating as its crap to begin with (waits for "the heating is great if its set up properly barrage") and theres the problem.

I'm not sure the propex will be powerful enough to use as a demister though even if you tap into the existing. i've only had mine running for a couple of mins but i dont know if would have the umph to blow upto the screen?

 

Get the heat exchangers working. I'm stripping mine in the next 2 weeks & I'll fully document everything.

 

I found the tins you need, PM me your addy and I'll chuck them in a jiffy bag with the screws that hold them on. You need to get the push-rod tube seals and 2 rocker gaskets. That's your No.1 problem sorted.

Then yes I agree, whack the J tubes back on for now and get a propex. I went through all this with my second bus. By the time I'd replaced the HX's, risers, control pods, concertina pipes, long pipe under floor, cables etc all I got was warm smoke in the cabin and I wished I'd just got a propex or an Eber.

 

yeah malc, we had a discussion a few weeks ago and majorhangover and i discussed the idea, since then i've had a few other ideas thrown around but to be fair i'm gonna see how i get on with the other things 1st - heating is for wimps right?

 

I have just had the same dilema. My heating does not work at all. I am having a new engine built and was going to have a JK exhaust fitted with new heat exchangers and pay to get the heating fixed as well. In the end I have decided to ditch the heating have a CSP performance exhaust with J-tubes and I will get the propex fitted shortly after. No idea if I'll get any misting up screen problems if it rains, but I'm sure I'll be nice and warm if needed, even with the engine off, which is the added bonus for me.

 

Having to stop half way through your journey to scrape ice off the inside of the windscreen is all part of the VW driving experience. I'd recommend that you don't spray deicer inside though - I learnt the hard way on that one...

My advice Rick -

1) blank off the holes in the top of the h/x - fit them, forget the ugly fan that goes in the engine bay, apparently that only really helps when you're stopped in traffic anyway, sort out getting air from back to front and go from there.

or

2) forget all the messing around and fit an after market heater (propex) which will actually keep you warm and can be used without the engine

but

its essential that what ever you do you sort out the engine tins - that's the only important bit. Forget heat, buy a thick jumper, long-johns and a sheep skin seat pad to keep you warm

 

can you actually use a propex on the move, im pretty sure you cant, i would buy all the right bits and fix it buy them one at a time, scour ebay you can get them for pennies if you look hard enough. the only thing you may have to pay sensible money for is the heat exchangers, its not to hard to buy rock solid used genuine ones for between 50-100. if you cant use the propex driving then its not gonna supply the answer you need, heat when driving and demisting the winscreen. the winscreen gets warm air from the engine via the totem pole it feed to all 4 screen outlets, the cold air only comes through the circular outlets on either side of the dash, the small fan in the engine bay will be very useful when comuting for demisting etc

 

just to add a bit of slant , before i sold my 69 beetle i made a stainless exhast with j tubes .....on the L/H j tube i fabbed up a stainless water jacket that held 1 litre of water/antifreeze , this was plumbed in to a early golf heatermatrix/fan under the rear seat via a header tank and 12v pump . The hot air was then configured so it came out the beetle system ....... worked very well but sold the bug about 4 years ago so don`t have pics but i think its still going strong . All cheap scrapyard bits

The heater on my type 4 bus works ok but its not a daily and only really gets used in summer . If you use yours all year round and winter camp then maybe the propex is the route