Internals of a Heater Valve.

[briano1234]

If you ever wondered what the insides of a heater valve looked like:







Yep the thing blew apart while baby daughter was driving her cab.... So replacements are in order as this is the first time since I have been driving mk1's I have experienced this part failing that drastically.

[jcskriver]

My heater valve on my vw 81 pickup seems to be leaking every time the heat is turned on in the cab. It seems to be leaking out where the bolt is attached on top, and only leaks when the valve is opened. As you have taken the valve apart I am wondering if you have any insight in to whether it can be fixed or not? I have tried simply tightening it with no positive outcome. Do you think putting on a rubber seal or something would help? Or will replacing it be the way to go?
Thanks

[briano1234]

Nope, I didn't take this one apart, it blew apart on me.
I bought one from Napa and it leaked where yours is, (there is a o-ring that can leak).
So I bought another one from a different source and it is fixed.

They are less than 10 bucks, so just replace it.
http://napaonline.com/Catalog/Catalo...RecType%3aA%29

A little more at Germanautoparts, then add the shipping... sheeeeeesh
http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volks.../Climate/115/1

Looking at ebay, they are off the chain on the cost... choose napa.

[jcskriver]

Ok so now I finally got my hands on a new heater valve and am about to replace it. Just one quick question... Should I just empty out and flush my radiator in order to replace this, or is it just easy enough to replace without losing a bunch of fluid?

[briano1234]

If your radiator has been flushed then it's probably ok. But then again, a pair of pinch off pliers and a couple of hose clamps and it is off. If you can, then you may want to remove both heater hoses the upper and lower then flush and back flush your heater core...