UPDATE: Heater Valve Hell

[wubie317]

Now, after much fussing, I can't get it back together with the old unit, and can't install the new. Leaks everywhere! I decided to bypass the heater altogether and have run the hose directly from the block to my burping tee. Have I screwed the pooch on this or will it work?



After finishing the job of replacing the thermostat, I decided to tackle the heater valve. Mine was totally frozen and disconnected from the control wire. Got the firewall side off with little trouble, but can't get the heater core side off. Spent 6 hours on it, spraying it with penetrating oil, wiggling, pulling and prodding to no avail.

Eventually, I gave up because the heater core doesn't seem to be made with very strong metal and I didn't want to tear it. Has anyone else had this problem...and what did you do about it?

In looking at the other pipe hidden above, I see that the nuts there are very corroded though the core was clearly working and not leaking, as far as I can see. Is this a problem that can only be solved with a new heater core? And then, how bad is that job to replace...guessing the console and the dash need to be removed to get at the whole thing.

[124JOE]

you are correct, the heater core is NOT very durable
and when we replace the control valve on a old rotten core it tears
the new ones are not for this car and are bent wrong
so installing the new valve you need to bend the tube to the firewall

I say get a new core and valve

hope this helps.joe

[Exit98]

Well you're right if the nuts won't turn you'll tear up the core with too much force.

It's a litte PIA but not too bad really and once its done you shouldn't have to worry about it again. When I did my leaky valve and the coolant began running though the core again it leaked immediately so I had to go back in again and start over.

There are a ton of posts, here's a particularly good one:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... eater+core

It is definitely worth it to pull the passenger seat to get some more work room. If you still have slot screws holding down the seat consider changing them out for allen head bolts. They make putting the seat in and out easier.

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... s&start=15

Search is your friend.

Good Luck

[wubie317]

The worst part is that I got the nuts and washers off! It's just glued to the core, or the bolts are seized in the holes of the valve.

[DieselSpider]

The worst part is that I got the nuts and washers off! It's just glued to the core, or the bolts are seized in the holes of the valve.

I usually found with my other vehicles through the years that if the core is more than a few years old it is too often going to fail not that long after you touch it so as much as I prefer to conserve whats there the heater core is many times an Item your just best off replacing.

I am facing similar as the heater core was bypassed in my Spider when I bought it and the heater fan switch was not connected so I know that I should just pull the core along with the valve and replace it with new to play it safe. It is getting old on cool foggy mornings in the bay here to deal with the lack of heat to clear the windshield.

The temptation is to get a longer control cable and go with a generic flow valve mounted in the engine compartment.

[So Cal Mark]

as mentioned in a previous post, the replacement heater valve is angled differently than the original valve. I sell stainless pipes that correct the angle, and of course won't corrode like the original pipes