Heater

From VanagonWiki

[edit] Those Heating and Ventilation Levers

1. GoWesty has a good article here.
   
   
2. The amount of fresh air that comes in is fixed and always "on." The topmost lever determines what percentage goes up to the windshield or down to the cabin. The 2nd from the top controls the amount of heat. But the hot air to the windshield is mixed with some fresh so it's never as hot as cabin air.  Of the amount that goes to the cabin, the 3rd lever determines how much of that goes to the foot wells. The amount that goes out the dash vents is controlled by their individual grill levers. So if you shut them off, you get more to the feet -- remember, fixed amount, subject to vehicle speed, coming in. Finally, of the lower cabin air, the 4th lever siphons some off to the vents over the sliding door. This rear cabin air is never heated. Engine and vehicle speed affect air temperature and flow. So what is a good setting at highway speeds may not be acceptable in town.
   
   
3. The A/C is completely separate: its vents do not control any fresh or heated air. Conversly, no A/C comes out of any heat & ventilation system ducts.
   
   
4. Tips:
   • To shut off all outside air, for example with A/C on: top 2 levers left, bottom 2 right, dash vents closed.
   • For maximum defrost, all levers right, dash vents closed, set fan speed as needed.
   • For foot heat or air, set the top lever to middle, the 3rd to the middle, and set the 2nd , the temp one, to whatever temp you want, between none and max.
   • Best cabin heat compromise and start point for personal adjustment, top lever 1/4 from left, 2nd & 3rd l/4 from right, bottom full right.
     
     

[edit] Hot Toes!

Regarding the hot air you're feeling: if you slide the lever that controls the temperature of the air (second from the top) all the way to the left and are still feeling hot air, it's possible that the coolant valve is not closing completely, thus allowing coolant into the heater core and heating the outside air on its way into the cabin. This valve can be accessed from underneath the vehicle to see if it is indeed fully closed. There are many posts in the Vanagon mailing list archives regarding replacing this valve, if that's what's needed (Kevin Mulligan).

(Need info on valve replacement and other ways to reduce hot air on toes here)