This morning I started my car and let it warm up for a few minutes. As I baked it out of the garage, I noticed some coolant on the garage floor and a line of drops out into the driveway from me backing it up. I then noticed steam from the engine compartment and shut it down. Popping the hood, it appeared the center of the steam was on the passenger side, maybe toward the rear. I was running late, so took alternate transportation to work. I just came home and had a look under the hood. Nothing. Everything looks dry on the top side. Heater hoses are new and the clamps seem secure. Looking under without jacking it up, the only thing I see is a small puddle of coolant that's just forward of the lower shock mount. I took a look in the valve cover oil fill and no signs of that foamy chocolate milk you get with a head gasket leak (at least a leak into an oil passage). I'm planning to check it out tonight some more, but thought I'd throw it out here in case someone has had a similiar leak. Passenger side doesn't seem like a place that should be leaking, without a heater hose involved. Any ideas?
Brett- I haven't gotten that far yet, but I will surely look at those. I'll look in the service manual to see if it gives locations. Thanks.
OK, no big deal I guess OK, so I'm feeling better. How much does a heater control valve cost? Where can I get one? Can I bypass it in the meantime??? Whew! Not a bad problem. The coolant was running down the side of the head and dripping on the exhaust manifold toward the back of the engine, that's why the steam was rising from there. I'm off to search for heater control valve posts...
Re: OK, no big deal I guess Well be careful. If it is like a 70, some only sell a plastic version and not the metal original. Go to YO. If like a 70 and it requires the rubber ring, I think Duane is the only vendor.
Re: Re: OK, no big deal I guess Jim, I'm pretty sure it's the original on the car and does have the rubber ring. I took it off and bypassed it for now with a prestone fitting I had for a coolant flush kit. I'm not running the AC, so I imagine it's no big deal if it's bypassed? I just plugged the vacuum line for now. I'm about to place an order with Year One for the valve. It's part number 9385N and is $23.95. Thanks for the heads-up. I tried taking the ring off the old one, but even looking at it too long caused it to crack. I'll have to ask Duane if he will bring one to the Berwyn picnic. Thanks for all the help!
EDIT: Is the rubber ring the thig that wraps around the valve on the outside? Mine crumbled off when I breathed on it:grin:
Adam: That is what happens to old rubbers. Looks like you will be calling Duane too. When they are new the valve is cad colored. I have installed several. When it comes to installing the ring, dare I say you will need lubrication. If you do not, you will pull your hair out and swear. I think the rubber ring is listed on www.classiccarinteriors.com
Hi Ken. Napa has these valves in metal for like 18.00 or so. A real nice piece. They even come gold cad plated. they will pobably show you a pic in a book before they order it. I had mine in 1 day. Bob
Hey Bob- Thanks for the response. I saw a post from someone else here who was selling NOS valves for $15 shipped, so I commited to one. If for some reason that doesn't happen, there's a NAPA not far from me. On another topic, are you entertaining going to the Berwyn, Pa Buick Bash on the 20th?? If so, maybe we can hook up for the trip down. Marco, thanks for the link, I checked it out. Let's see, I've gotten a front spoiler and hood insulation from Duane so far. I'll get the rubber ring on the 20th.... Hmmm.... what else does he have that I can buy? ou: :laugh:
