Changing front defroster hoses.

[dw_crash]

Hello All,

I have had a bug since I started driving. My current one is a 1960 Canadian Standard. It was 'restored' by me in 1986. Since then, there have been upgrades on various things.

One thing I never found a solution to was: How do you change the front window defroster hoses? Even the gurus up here, near me, have never found a good way short of a body off restore. SO, how does everyone change these hoses?

thanks
Dave

[far rider]

Heres a guess. Cut small opening at bottom of A pillar to access connection to heater channel and weld up opening ? Cant imagine how else youd get one of those hoses on the connection. Good luck.
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67 zenith blue sunroof

Contentment; when what you have is what you want.

[mukluk]

Without cutting any metal, it comes down to sheer willpower and stubbornness to swap out the defroster hoses. It helps immensely if you have long arms and a decent threshold for pain.

Just a hint from my experience on the subject: make sure you remove all carpet nails in the vicinity you'll be working in.
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[jwp67]

Here is an excellent samba post about it.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=442479

I did this for my 67 about 3 years ago and no problems
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21 million of these cars were built,and everyone of them were sold...kinda astounding given how unreliable they are.---johhnypan

[67rustavenger]

It's a bloody job for sure!

One of the worst jobs I have ever done on an ACVW.

Good Luck.
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I have learned over the years.
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There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Tugmaster]

There’s a YouTube video of someone using a piece of 1-1/4” pvc. He cut a access hole at the bottom of the pillar. I think it could be done without cutting the hole. Todd

[panicman]

I found what I think is an elegant solution, and got the idea here on TheSamba.
KDG1 posted a pic of an adapter he made using copper pipe:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/824266.jpg

I took the idea and realized they actually make a copper adapter in the correct sizes, 1.5 to a 1.25.

The 1.5” side slips nice and tight onto the stock paper tube. The 1.25 drops perfectly into the factory hole down in the heater channel. It’s still not EASY. But, it makes it possible to do without cutting an access hole. You drop the tube down and guide it into place using the existing access hole inside the car.

I did mine over 5 years ago, and I blow plenty of air on the stock system. Nothing has come dislodged.
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Plate of shrimp

[KTPhil]

I used a combo of blow gun and shop vac to get all remnants of the old hose out first. There was an existing hole on my '65 that looked factory, but it was quite small; I removed a plastic plug covering it. It helped with the cleaning blow/suction, and it let me visually confirm the hose was installed all the way down the metal sleeve. I made sure the hose was really pushed down, to keep it from coming loose. I cut the pieces a little long so if anything it would be pushed down harder.

All that said, I like the PVC/copper adapters/pipe solutions.

[dw_crash]

Gents.....

Is anyone sure of the size of the cardboard tube used in a 60 beetle?

Dave

[panicman]

Yes. Inner diameter is 32mm, or 1.25in.
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Plate of shrimp

[runamoc]

A section of 1 1/4" EMT (thin wall electrical conduit) dropped down the 'hole' fits right over the outlet in the heater channel. Then use some flex heater hose to make the connection at the top. Not very 'focused' but you can get the idea.

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Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
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Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
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[scott.tagg]

I'll just add to the discussion on what I did on my 61 ragtop, as I saw it elsewhere on the samba. I used SCAT aircraft vent tubing: 1 1/4 ID, 2 ft long from Aircraft Spruce. $28 total with shipping. Small hands, patience, and remove the hood and hinges for best results. Look out for carpet nails/screws.

[greglewi]

I just did this. no access holes so I attached heat resistant foam block to some ABS pipe. Shoved that down in there so it makes a reasonable seal. Easy to attach the Y connectors that go to the heater flexi hose directly to the top of these pipes. The original plastic Y connector just slips right into 1 1/2 pipe [/img]

[wdfifteen]

I used semi-rigid radiator/coolant hose, put a piece of pipe in it near the top, and finished it to the defroster vent connection with the paper VW hose.