Heater HELP

Whywalk · 05-05-2018, 04:45 PM

Hello All,

I could use a little help, please.
I have a 2003 MicroBird, built on a Chevy 3500 van chassis.
I'm trying to remove the rear heater. For now, the plan is to cut and loop the two lines right below the floor (underneath the bus) so I can get the inside floor completed. (The heater is NOT going back in).
Research tells me there are two (possibly three) line shut off valves IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (I've already located the two underneath the bus).
Common sense would seem to dictate that those valves should be easily accessible but, I've been looking for over an hour and CANNOT find them.

Can anyone here help me out?
Thanks!

Ninjakitty · 05-06-2018, 07:53 AM

Maybe instead of in the engine bay, they are inside the coach? Near the front heater? Just a thought.

Chongolio · 05-06-2018, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whywalk

Hello All,
Research tells me there are two (possibly three) line shut off valves IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (I've already located the two underneath the bus).

My 1990 Vandura 3500 had both valves in engine compartment easy to find and access.

You should be able to follow the hose from rear heater to the valves or visa versa.

I would imagine the two valves you found are the ones you are looking for And if there is a third it would be for the front heater. But please don’t quote me on that. [emoji55]

Bork · 05-14-2018, 06:46 AM

The heater at the back of your bus should only have two lines going to it, so if you already found the two under the bus then that loop should now be shut off from the engine coolant circulation. I am not sure why there would be a third in the engine compartment other than to shut off coolant flow to the heater core for the system that is in the dash. If you need to remove the valves or are still worried you can clamp the hoses shut with a C - clamp and a couple pieces of wood, or a pair of vice grips and two small pieces of wood. Then you can put in your fittings to loop the two hoses together.

Whywalk · 05-14-2018, 08:07 AM

Thanks for your help.

Fredinbelize · 05-20-2018, 03:39 PM

I was just wondering why you want to take out the rear heater, seems several people do.
Curious as to the reason.
Thanks

Chongolio · 05-20-2018, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredinbelize

I was just wondering why you want to take out the rear heater, seems several people do.
Curious as to the reason.
Thanks

Here is my math: The space my heater takes up is roughy the equivalent of a jacket, shirt and a pair of sock. Maybe some shoes too.

All of which I can wear to keep warm inside, outside and whether the engine is running or not.

I would rather use the space in my shortbus for something more useful and versatile.

The dash heater is all I need. If the engine is running I will be in the driver seat.

Anyone foolhardy enough to become my passenger will have to come prepared ;

cadillackid · 05-20-2018, 05:47 PM

you actually can heat a LOT of the bus with the driver console and right side door heater intact.. the driver heater usually has a duct going along the first few rows of seat.. once with insiulate you probably dont need that much heat so you could run that duct farther backl with vents coming out under your cabinet kick panels or dinette seat bases.. and eliminate the lines going all the way back..

those heater hoses would likely get buried during your conversion unless you relocated them under the bus.. so if one were to crack and leak you would likely have a near impossible time of getting at it to fix it.. so many people pull out the rear heaters.
-Christopher

Fredinbelize · 05-20-2018, 06:09 PM

I get it.. thanks for the response.

Dog Rescuer · 05-20-2018, 06:20 PM

I contemplated leaving the rear heater - but then realized it would only heat the back of the bus when I was driving - the front heaters do great to keep me warm while driving.
Now getting the bus heated when parked is a different story - I have a Mr. Buddy Propane heater that is great - and I just ordered a Cubic Mini Grizzly, which I can't wait to install!

Fredinbelize · 05-20-2018, 06:26 PM

I'm just starting mine so I will be asking a lot of questions.
Thanks again

Whywalk · 05-21-2018, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredinbelize

I was just wondering why you want to take out the rear heater, seems several people do.
Curious as to the reason.
Thanks

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I have roughly 7-1/2’ x 14’ of floor space and, as a soon-to-be fulltimer, every square inch is important to me. I’m still planning the layout, and that heater (which only runs when the bus is running) just took up precious space.right where I believe my bed will be located.

Fredinbelize · 05-21-2018, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whywalk

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I have roughly 7-1/2’ x 14’ of floor space and, as a soon-to-be fulltimer, every square inch is important to me. I’m still planning the layout, and that heater (which only runs when the bus is running) just took up precious space.right where I believe my bed will be located.

I have the same area. I think I will leave mine in and build the bed around it. I am going to be living in it while I build so I have other priorities, but I understand your motive.

cadillackid · 05-21-2018, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredinbelize

I have the same area. I think I will leave mine in and build the bed around it. I am going to be living in it while I build so I have other priorities, but I understand your motive.

I keep mine but im not converting.. and actually have people ride in the back so it stays..

in your case id relocate the lines underneath the bus if they arent already..
-Christopher

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