G'day all, I have just been talking to a local dubber who has asked me about whether there is asbestos in Kombi's, specifically in the heating system. He was told there was but with no detail as to where, how much, etc.

I haven't heard of this kind of issue in any of the old dubs (or new ones for that matter) but I am far from an expert. If there was anything at all, I am thinking it might have been in the cover that went over the piping that takes the heated air from the back to the front, under the floor. But thats only a guess.

His car is a '69 model (camper).

If anyone can enlighten me either way I'd be appreciative. I personally feel if there was a danger that many of us would not be cutting cars up, making repair panels, selling off cut sections, etc.

Thanks!

I have my asbestos ticket so im fully licensed to remove any kombis with asbestos,please PM me if you want your kombi picked up
thanks shane.

the older kombis had asbestos brakes (all cars did!) also the gaskets on the exhaust had some! but i think its all gone now!

split window kombi's have asbestos blanket in the heater pipe covers I believe. Tastes like it anyway.

yep vw heat exchangers are covered in it, type 3 have it on their heater thermostat.

And obviously clutch and brakes if they are old original ones.

I always wondered with the asbestos brakes...

all that brake dust in car wheel wells that are getting restored for the first time, all gacked up and what not... would that contain asbestos?

Thanks all.

Vlad01, you say 'heat exchangers are covered in it', is that the actual boxes themselves - the metal exchangers that bolt onto the engine and exhaust system?

Is this listed anywhere in text for official reference, or is it a 'known thing' to some people?

Do you know how much is there and to what extent - eg fine film, exchangers are made of it, etc?

Sorry for the questions but I would like to report back as much info to the member as possible. Thanks.

The main heater boxes(aka heat exchangers) and the heater thermostat regulators are covered in a blanket about 1.5mm-2mm thick.

all up in a typical type 3 would be around 1 to 1.5Kg?

less in a type 1 I guess. Oh and its defiantly asbestos

If you have seen raw asbestos and seen it properties then you can guaranty this stuff is it too.


They pressed and sealed with some sort of binder/resin? so its safe as don't handle then too much and try not to disturb the stuff.

Brakes clutches contain it, so when restoring a car and refitting new parts take care with cleaning it all down.
Best not to use compressed air.

As far as I know some early heater connectors (black plastic) that connect the heater boxes to the car body has it in side.
Treated with care they should be fine, I'd be more worried about the food we eat and whats in it! LOL

Wot, they put asbestos in food these days? Go figure!.

Newt

no, but much worse things