Speaking of Heat

[jadney@vwtype3.org (Melissa & Jim)]

>When I turn on the heat in my '71 Fastback it makes the car smell like 
exhaust.  I've checked the pipes from the heater boxes to 
>the firewall (fine), the pipes from the fan to the heater boxes (fine) and 
the one small pipe from the heater boxes to the fire wall (I 
>believe it is for defrost, also fine).  So the question is, are the insides 
of the hear boxes shot or does some else have a different 
>idea?  Thanks in advance.

The most likely problem is at the connection between the lower heat 
exchangers and the muffler.  If the seals at this junction leak a bit 
exhaust gasses will blow forward under the lip where the sheet metal shroud 
around the heat exchanger meets the exhaust pipe proper.  This junction is 
often rusted open a bit or whatever, so some exhaust gas can blow inside the 
heat exchanger and mix with the fresh air.  You can try to get a better seal 
to the pipe.  I don't have a sure cure.

Jim
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       Melissa Kepner                                    Jim Adney
       jadney@vwtype3.org              jadney@vwtype3.org
                             Laura Kepner-Adney
                             Madison, Wisconsin
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