VW Insta-Heat Installation Guide and Owner’s Manual
The Air-cooled VW heating system
In its stock form the heating system on most air cooled VW’s utilizes the engine cooling fan, two heat exchangers and a series of vents in the passenger compartment. The cooling fan, mounted on the end of the generator/ alternator shaft, provides cooling air for the engine and air into the passenger compartment for heat. The heat is provided by two heat exchangers, sometimes called heater boxes. Each heater box is a finned exhaust header that transfers heat from exhaust gasses to air on its way into the passenger compartment. In the (Type 1 beetle) passenger compartment there are two vents located under both sides of rear seat, two more near the driver and passenger’s feet, and a total of five defrost vents spread across the front windshield. As designed this system is uncomfortable in cold weather.
Advantages
Contrary to popular belief the heating system on air cooled VW’s is well thought out and produces plenty of heat, the problem is delivering that heat and air flow into the passenger compartment. Using exhaust gasses as a heat source means the heater boxes get hot almost immediately after engine startup. This also means there is more than enough available heat to use for warming the vehicle interior.
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