• Eric
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  • Registered: 2010-07-11
  • Posts: 43

Topic: Karmann ghia gas heater?

My 1968 ghia has no gas heater under the hood bit after taking the body off I found this weird heater exchange thing under the body behind the engine bay wall.  Is that the has heater? (mine in a convertible). All the pipes/vents/flaps work for the heat on the car but that weird heater thing is in BAD shape! It consists of three parts that I would like to know the names and functions of. One was bolted onto the top of the tranny, the other was small and made of aluminum casting just behind the fire wall and the other was that big X tube thing that was under the car connected to the pipes that come off the engine and connect to the heat tubes on the car,

If it is a gas heater, can I bypass it and still get heat?

Thanks!

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Post a pic if you can but it sounds like an auxillary fan boost system for the stock heater

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • Registered: 2007-03-09
  • Posts: 40

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

sounds like a webasto heater. is it sitting on top of the transaxle? lots of canadian '68's had them. this is the main heater unit:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_ … _id=401829

Last edited by germansupply (2010-08-10 08:27:52)

scott lyons
http://www.germansupply.com

Aircooled VW Online Parts Source
  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

So is this a gas heater?

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • Eric
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Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Hey, yea, that red "X" thing is the one I was talking about... there was also this other thing ontop of the transaxle (probably that fan boost as this is a canadian car)...

there was also this round anuminum thing... possibly some sort of fuel pump thing for the gas heater???

soooo, here's my question...  do I NEED this heater for there to be heat???

I won't be driving it in the winter, but I would like to have some form of heat in the car...

the reason why I ask is because the car itself is in amazing condition... it was FULLY restored ground up 20 years ago and now I'm just giving it a refresh...   BUUUUT, it looks like when they restored it, they didn't do anything with the three pieces making up the gas heater system because they are in BAD shape... the round aluminum thing was corroded away till it was almost not even there, the "auxilary fan thing" was practically rusted through, and that "X" red thing in the pic is covered in rust...

If I can bypass this setup and still have controllable heat, then I'd like to know how,

if not, where can I get these three parts???  either new, or where can I have them repaired/rebuilt?  (in Canada preferably)

thanks!!!!!!!!!

this project would not be possible without everyone's help!!!   thanks again everybody!!!

.

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • Registered: 2007-03-09
  • Posts: 40

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

eric,

you really need to get acquainted with germansupply.com. we're in your city and we have some of the parts and a lot of the answers you need. we are one of the only online VW vendors with ANY gas heater parts available, and we actually work on the vehicles so we have a decent bit of knowledge.

scott lyons
http://www.germansupply.com

Aircooled VW Online Parts Source
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Eric wrote:

If I can bypass this setup and still have controllable heat, then I'd like to know how

From the looks of it and it's location, it seems logical that the tubes that connect from the heat exchangers go to this unit, which heats the airflow, then feeds it to the stock ductwork to supply the car interior. IF that is the case, then you should be able to bypass the unit by installing the stock tubes between the stock heat exchangers and the stock ductwork. Also, if this heater has all the tubes still connected, you should be able to get almost normal heat through the unit even if it does not work, but the heat that makes it to the car will not be quite as warm as it would be if the unit was bypassed.

I deferr expert advice to GermanSupply! If it was mine and could be made functional, I would consider making it operational (especially if fan-forced). If it is not repairable, then I'd remove it and hook up the stock heating system.

Paul

  • Registered: 2007-03-09
  • Posts: 40

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Altema wrote:

you should be able to bypass the unit by installing the stock tubes between the stock heat exchangers and the stock ductwork.

yes absolutely this is possible. all the stock parts from a non-webasto equipped car of a close model year should fit and allow normal heater box heat.

this is a link to a manual for the webasto heater:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/man … manual.pdf

Last edited by germansupply (2010-08-12 15:50:30)

scott lyons
http://www.germansupply.com

Aircooled VW Online Parts Source
  • Eric
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Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Hey, thanks!!!

I have a 1970 parts car... I'll steal the stock heat flow pipes off of it because I know that it has the heater under teh front hood... so it should have came stock with the pipes I need...

thanks!!!

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Eric wrote:

I have a 1970 parts car... I'll steal the stock heat flow pipes off of it because I know that it has the heater under teh front hood...

Eric, You have a heater in front of your parts car? Are you interested in getting rid of it?

Paul

  • Eric
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Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Hi Paul, yes, there is a gas heater in the front of the parts car...  it is for sale... let me know if you would like to buy it  smile

thanks!

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Yes, I would be interested in buying it. My heat works well, but if my wife learns to drive a stick or gets her own Ghia autostick in the future, it would be good to have as an option. She was born and raised on a tropical island and does not do well in cold! Besides, I've always wanted to fiddle with one and get to know it  wink

I'll send you an email.

Paul

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Well, the forum email is not working, not sure if Darren needs to look at something. My email address is in my profile, so maybe you can try sending me something.

Paul

  • Eric
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  • Registered: 2010-07-11
  • Posts: 43

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Hey, I can't find your email.... my email is on my website...  you can either get it from there and send me one directly, or just email my through my website... 

www.ericlawrence.ca


thanks!

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,586

Re: Karmann ghia gas heater?

Be sure to get all the brackets and pipes. The heaters are all the same but each model of car needs special mounting brackets and duct work. A few pics and measurements will help with cutting the holes. I've seen templates for Beetles but not Ghias.

If it has recirculating ducts I wouldn't bother with them. Way too hot!

It's also pretty easy to split the output and divert some flow to the drivers side defrost vent. I did it in my Beetle and I have almost instant (1 min.) hot defrost.

jim

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915