[Vwdiesel] Heater Core: Charlie M. in T.O. - did you get a reply on the A/C discharge

[worb at finning.ca]

What a timely posting!!  My '91 Jetta TD is in need of a new heater core.
1st - can the core be replaced w/out discharging the a/c?  I think it can't
but if anyone know of a way to do this it would be much appreciated.  I just
had the a/c recharged this past summer to the tune of $120....
2nd - is there an "easy" way to get the core out and back in?  I have the
freakin' car torn apart trying to access the core.  Barely any dash left and
I'm still removing pieces.  I'm not sure how smoothly everything will go
back in....  AAAAHHHHH!!!

PS: Good luck with your van...  You could always wait for the MB common rail
to come out in the mini-vans in a year or so!  I heard that a chrysler mini
van set an endurance record last year with a MB TDI, common rail engine.
Apparently they ran it on a 24-hr course (ie Daytona or Le Mans or something
like that) and had that van run the race it would have made the top ten!!
Apparently was averaging 170kph and getting spectacular mileage!!!

Walter
Hay River, NT
(I know about winter fronts)


Charlie M wrote:

> Hi all,
> Just wanted to say that this is a great group! You
> have helped me many times with my VW turbo diesel. A
> quick question: Can you remove the heater core (91
> Jetta) without discharging the A/C system?
>
> I don't know if this is a suitable forum for the
> folowing but here goes.
>
> Just purchased a 96 Dodge mini van.  With very high
> miles. (A perfect project vehicle) Body in excellent
> shape.
> My question: Which VW engine/tranny combo would be a
> suitable replacement?  In Europe you can buy this van
> with a 2.4L turbo diesel and 5 speed.  I don't mind
> some custom work. Or in this case a lot of custom
> work.
> It would be great if North Americans embraced the
> diesel concept.  As you can see by my signature, I own
> 2 diesels already.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> Charlie  (Toronto, Canada)
>