My typical good luck with cars is prevailing again. I was going to drive my 1970 Skylark out of town to show it to a potential buyer. Can't do it now, my engine compartment is full of coolant:stmad:. The little heater valve that comes out of the intake manifold and has a little vac hose connected to it is spurting coolant everywhere. What the heck is this thing and what exactly does it do? Can it be bypassed? Where can I get a new one? To add insult to injury, the drivers side head gasket let go today also:blast:. In other words, before I sell it, now I have to put god knows how many hours and more $$$ into it. I see a steep cliff in this cars future.
The heater control valve does exactly what it's name implies. When you move your temp selector from cold to hot, you should hear a hiss. This is the vaccuum going/coming to the valve. The closser to hot, the more the valve opens to let the hot coolant into the heater core. You should be able to get a new one for about $15 at any auto parts store.
... and yes, it can be bypassed. All it does is keep hot water from circulating through the heater core.. makes for warmer interior in summer without it.
Lots of places carry them including NAPA , YO etc. I am thinking about 25.00 and if the outside rubber ring is shot too Duane Heckman makes those.
Thanks for the info. After a lot of phone calls I finally found a new heater control valve at a local parts store this morning - $20 - not bad. The little foam ring is still in good shape. :TU:
