Heater core valve stuck open

[vwdriverfoundvw]

My heater core valve seems to not close all the way. I always get some warm air coming out when the engine warms up. This makes summer time driving miserable. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement valve? I've read something about a Ford valve available at flaps?

[vwdriverfoundvw]

Also, I have tried moving the lever on the valve itself manually. It did seem a little sticky at first but now it moves smoothly and still seems to let some water through.

[mankowski]

They can be sourced from GoWesty, probably other vendors too.

The replacement job is not too difficult. If I remember correctly, you will want to remove the spare tire. Make sure when you install the new one that you orient the valve in a way that the lever has the full range of its movement. It can be positioned within the hose such that the lever hits nearby objects when fully extended to the open or closed positions.

Here is a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35MkLMMQrhc that shows the job.

You will want to get this done before summer comes!

[llilibel03]

I bought Terry Kay's shut off valve.

http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com



I can reach down and turn it on and off while driving no problem. It works like a charm. No more hot foot syndrome. I will post pics tomorrow of its location.
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[joetiger]

Hot foot syndrome!

Check out this thread for a few more ideas for keeping your feet cool. Insulating the tunnel in front of the shifter helps to keep it cooler down there as well.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=237271&highlight=hot++foot++syndrome
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[RichBenn]

I went through all the trouble of modding my system to use the ford turnoff valve rather than the $5.95 Mahle valve. I read here that the cheap replacement valves were failing.

The Ford heater valve started failing. Replaced it with the Mahle valve and zero problems. I’m bummed that I didn’t try it first. It’s much easier and works as designed.

Those other solutions are not needed, IMHO.
_________________
Rich

[llilibel03]

Here's that Terry Kay valve-

This is with my hand on the valve ( I can reach it while driving and still see the road YMMV)-

I think it's an easier fix than replacing the original.
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[RichBenn]

[DuncanS]

Did you disconnect the wire control that fastens to the lever and then try to see if it closes all the way? And drive with it in this mode? Definitely get rid of the spare tire as the valve is kinna out of the way and hard to deal with in the best of circumstances. I've had to replace two of the entire control wire and sheath units as the wire can bend and not work the valve properly. If the valve gets stuck, then the wire will bend and from then on not work properly. Adjustment is tricky. It takes a few times fastening the wire to the valve lever to get it right. The guys who say use the stock system are correct. An add-on reaching that far away from the wheel while driving will guarantee that you will wind up getting someone's insurance information or worse. Fix what the original engineers designed with new parts and forget about it ever after.

[djkeev]

[dobryan]

[RichBenn]

[llilibel03]

I watched the video where the guy replaces the OE valve. You've got to get under the car. You have to remove the spare. It looks tight. You have to reach in and make sure the cable is aligned. You have to adjust the cable.

I'm lazy.

Terry Kay's valve was a 15 minute job- clamp, clamp, cut, cut, insert valve, clamp, clamp, release, release. Done. Put a towel under to catch the couple ounces of coolant in that small section of hose. I didn't bleed afterwards. I'm not a mechanic so I look for the easiest solution. And it works.

The OP can decide what's best for him.
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[RichBenn]

I can do the underneath valve in 10 minutes. Of course I did it twice. We all know the first time is much longer.
_________________
Rich

[DuncanS]

Please just replace the OEM valve. It worked great when new. Why try to reinvent something that was just OK, but wore out after 25 or so years?

[llilibel03]

[JimmyJagged]

My ‘85 Vanagon has the same problem: heat would always come out of the heater floor vents. My right foot was always hot. Very uncomfortable on warm days. After reading several threads here, my solution was easier, but never mentioned. I started with the intent of changing the OE valve. Adding a second valve seemed like the same amount of work, but the end result is a heater where you can’t adjust the heat levels.
But first, I wanted to see if the cables were the problems. So I removed the spare tire. On the dashboard, I had the heater turned off. My pliers are pointing at the cable valve lever. Notice the position of the lever in relation to the valve.

But I couldn’t tell if this was actually closed all the way. So I removed the cable and I was able to close the vent lever by hand even more. Therefore, I deduced that the heater knobs on the dash, even though in the closed position, really didn’t close the valve all of the way. It was still about 10% open, thus my hot foot. (btw, 30 min pita to get the cable back into the lever). The only thing that needed to be done was to adjust the cables. Adjustments to the cables can be done behind the levers under the dash. I then removed the instrument panel, loosened the bolt shown below, and pulled the cable towards the passenger side until it became snug ( about a half inch). Then I tightened the bolt.

Now, when I close the heater lever all the way, the valve actually closes all of the way. See pic below and notice the extra distance of the valve lever in relation to the valve.

No more constant heat burning my feet.
Total time for me today was 3 hours. Had I known all I had to do was remove the instrument panel, pull the cable and adjust the screw, reinstall instrument panel - I could now do it in 30 min.
_________________
Current:
1971 Tin Top Weekender Bus
1973 Squareback
1985 Pop Top Weekender Vanagon (my 19yo son's first car. father/son project)
1985 Pop Top Weekender Vanagon w/ 2.5 Subaru

Past:
1976 Rabbit diesel (my first car). RIP. totaled by drunk driver (not me!)
1973 Pop Top Westfalia Weekender Bus. RIP. Blown engine due to 25yo ignorant of VW maintenance (me).
1986 Vanagon Transporter. RIP. totaled by drunk driver (not me!)
1987 Vanagon Syncro. I never should have sold.

[djkeev]

I used a two prong approach.

I did abandon the VW design valve.

Why? The repeated stories of new after market valve failure. I am smart enough to learn from others experiences.
I installed the Ford valve.
As a bonus I gained not only a replacement part found on almost every FLAPS shelf (incase it does fail) but I gained ease of cable adjustment.
No fiddly trial and error hard to get right clip system, but rather a positive slide clamp system using a mechanical fastener.

I did also install as a "fail safe" while the core was empty, the TK valve.
Honestly, I've never used it once but I abhor being hot so much that it is nice to know that I'll never be.

My worst cabin heat was radiant heat from the radiator making it through the firewall and shift lever. I pulled the carpet and insulated the area as tencent outlined using a radiant barrier. I now drive in cool comfort during the Summer and soothing warmth during the colder days, I control my cockpit environment, not the Van.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert