Heater Hose Extension Wanted

[kisersosay]

Hoping someone can help with my heater and heater hose issues with a 2004 Malibu Wakestter VLX.

First off, the heater works great but only when the engine is running at something above idle speed. I would really like the heater to kick out hot air even at idle speed. Anyone know how to make this happen? I know it's possible because my buddy's Moomba LSV does this. I haven't tore through his boat to see how the set up differs from mine. Wanted to see if any Malibu owners knew how to do this before I go and try to diagnose a Moomba.

Second, the heater hose port on my Wakesetter is located in the walkway between the bow and rear areas. This is ok when you want to use the heater hose in the bow. However, the hose isn't long enough to reach most of the areas of the rear. Anybody know if there is an extension kit available? If not, is it difficult to disconnect the hose and add a longer one?

Thanx gang

[Bill_AirJunky]

You can see parts available on the Heatercraft website;

This Y adapter will redirect the water hoses so that your heater will pump heat at idle speeds.

You can either replace your old hot tube with one of these.

Or you could lengthen your old tube using hose like this. You may be able to find this hose locally too.

[Matt_Alger]

"This Y adapter will redirect the water hoses so that your heater will pump heat at idle speeds. "

This is not true. I have an '08 VTX and even with the "Y" adaptor installed correctly (It was installed backwards at the factory), it still does NOT pump out any heat at idle... which is when you really want the heat... between sets and while people are getting ready to ski / barefoot / wakeboard.

Even in the 20' VTX, the pull out heater tube isn't long enough for passengers in the boat.

[Bill_AirJunky]

"This Y adapter will redirect the water hoses so that your heater will pump heat at idle speeds. "

This is not true. I have an '08 VTX and even with the "Y" adaptor installed correctly (It was installed backwards at the factory), it still does NOT pump out any heat at idle... which is when you really want the heat... between sets and while people are getting ready to ski / barefoot / wakeboard.

Even in the 20' VTX, the pull out heater tube isn't long enough for passengers in the boat.

Sorry your not having any luck with it Matt. But we've done a few installs & are successfully getting heat under 1000 rpms. Latest one was done on an 08 Vride with the LCR.

I had a 6' long heater tube in my old 205 that would reach from the passenger's spotters seat to the back seat. you just have to ask for it.

Edited August 2, 2010 by Bill_AirJunky

[kisersosay]

You can see parts available on the Heatercraft website;

This Y adapter will redirect the water hoses so that your heater will pump heat at idle speeds.

You can either replace your old hot tube with one of these.

Or you could lengthen your old tube using hose like this. You may be able to find this hose locally too.

Bill,

Thanx for the info. You say that the metal Y will rediret the water hoses. If I buy the metal Y, how do I install it. By adding a Y, don't I also need to add another hose? Does it come with directions that tell me where to hook the hoses up? Also, what does the hot tube extender do? I mean, I know it extends the hose but, is it a plug and play system? Do I simply install it on the end of my current hose and it gives me more length?

Hey, how did the rhino liner hold up on your swim platform? I am the guy that you were talking to about swamping swim platforms at the end of last year. I am still wanting a teak platform for my boat. I just haven't gotten around to making it a priority.

Thanx,

Gary

Edited August 3, 2010 by kisersosay

[kisersosay]

Sorry your not having any luck with it Matt. But we've done a few installs & are successfully getting heat under 1000 rpms. Latest one was done on an 08 Vride with the LCR.

I had a 6' long heater tube in my old 205 that would reach from the passenger's spotters seat to the back seat. you just have to ask for it.

Bill,

I have about 6 feet of hose now. I need about 5 more to get me to the rear seating in the boat. The goal is to have the hose long enough so that it can reach every seat in the boat.

Thanx,

Gary

Long live the 2004 Wakesetter VLX. God I love that boat! Only thing I would change would be to add snap in/out carpet and an interior floor drain. Those things should be standard on wakeboard boats.

[Matt_Alger]

Sorry your not having any luck with it Matt. But we've done a few installs & are successfully getting heat under 1000 rpms. Latest one was done on an 08 Vride with the LCR.

I had a 6' long heater tube in my old 205 that would reach from the passenger's spotters seat to the back seat. you just have to ask for it.

Seeing that I have had the Throttle "Fix" done, I don't have the ability to raise my idle speed to get heat. I'm not sure what you have done differently but there is absolutely no heat at idle.

[MalibuTime]

Seeing that I have had the Throttle "Fix" done, I don't have the ability to raise my idle speed to get heat. I'm not sure what you have done differently but there is absolutely no heat at idle.

My VTX drivers seat has heat at idle

I don't have the Y, and also don't really have much heat unless a) it is a warm day b) I am above idle (in gear) and going 1500-2000 RPMs or so. Maybe I will do the Y this fall and report back then.

[99response]

Sorry your not having any luck with it Matt. But we've done a few installs & are successfully getting heat under 1000 rpms. Latest one was done on an 08 Vride with the LCR.

I had a 6' long heater tube in my old 205 that would reach from the passenger's spotters seat to the back seat. you just have to ask for it.

I got nice heat at idle from a 4 outlet heatercraft unit in my old lxi.

Heatercraft does sell an inline circ pump for the heaters, wonder if that would fix your problems. If I had to guess the pump can't push water through the hose at low RPM, even with the Y installed. I'd also take a look at how high the heater unit is mounted under the dash, the higher it is the more head loss the system has to overcome to pull water through the system.

-Chris

Edited August 3, 2010 by 99response