[Vwdiesel] the core of the Problem?

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/16/2011 9:22:50 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
decker at toledotel.com writes:

I have an 1981 diesel Rabbit  pickup and the heater and
defrosting system works well even when it is  cold. I have a 1981 gas Rabbit
pickup and a 1983 GTI the throw  some  heat when the temperature is above 50
or so but are pretty useless below  freezing. Does anyone have a magic
solution Perhaps a new heater core is  the solution. If so where would one
find  one.




The gassers generally put out good heat.  First put a cardboard  in front 
of the 
radiator and drive it.  Keep a close eye on the temp gauge so you  don't 
risk 
overheating.  If you get good heat, then it's a thermostat.  If  it's not 
much better 
then it's likely the heater core and backflushing usually helps.  Crap  
over the fins 
of the core could do the same but with reduce air flow.  
  Make sure the cable adjustment on the heater valve is so that it can  
open 
all the way.  One of mine had to be adjusted twice a year as the lever  
didn't 
seem to go as far as the valve so I set it for full open in Winter and full 
 closed 
in Summer.  Still had control but with full open, I couldn't close it  
quite all the 
way and so on...
  Do you get hotter heat with the fan on position 2 instead of  3/high?  
Dad's 
pickup has ALWAYS been this way, even after a new core.
     Loren