Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
Post Reply
Fiat88

Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by Fiat88 »

I'm thinking about replacing my heater valve as I've replaced most of the cooling/heater system and right now I have the coolant drained once again cause I'm putting a 1800 Intake in and need to put in a new radiator as well. I bought new heater hoses. So, is this an easy job to do?

BTW, I noticed the rubber grommet at the firewall which the heater pipes pass through is kind of shot, does any vendors sell a replacement? Thanks.
Last edited by Fiat88 on Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
So Cal Mark

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by So Cal Mark »

the danger in removing the heater valve is that the mounting studs can break off the core. Be sure to spray a rust penetrant on the studs before attempting replacement.

Your valve looks like one of the original valves that aren't available. The replacement valves are X 1/9 valves and require a slight mod to the heater pipe. The pipe won't line up with the hole in your grommet without bending it. Some owners cut the pipe and use a short piece of heater hose as a flex joint.
Fiat88

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by Fiat88 »

So Cal Mark wrote:the danger in removing the heater valve is that the mounting studs can break off the core. Be sure to spray a rust penetrant on the studs before attempting replacement.

Your valve looks like one of the original valves that aren't available. The replacement valves are X 1/9 valves and require a slight mod to the heater pipe. The pipe won't line up with the hole in your grommet without bending it. Some owners cut the pipe and use a short piece of heater hose as a flex joint.
Thanks for the advice Mark! Yeah I read that only the x 1/9 valves are made and are used by us spider owners and a slight modification is required to fit.
User avatar
ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by ga.spyder »

If it isnt leaking,I would leave it alone.That may be the worst job I have done on the car.You really have to contort yourself to get at the valve.I would reccomend removing the passenger seat(I didnt).It might help with access.I sprayed the nuts for 2 days before I could get them to budge.Good luck
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
htchevyii
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 1807
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider hers 1972 Spider his
Location: Hydesville, CA (NorCal)

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by htchevyii »

Ya, mine all broke off too :(
Trey
Image
1982 SPIDER 2000, 1964 CHEVYII, 1969 Chevy Nova, 2005 DODGE RAM, 1988 Jeep Comanche
1972 Spider, 78 Spider rat racer 57 f-100,
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by narfire »

I'll second or third that about if its not leaking don't touch. Marks right about them breaking off.. real easy and the replacement valve needs a bend in the original pipe. I saw a fellow here that cut the pipe and as Mark said used flexable hose.... next time thats what I'll be doing.
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
User avatar
Curly
Posts: 526
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:09 am
Your car is a: 1968 AC Coupe and a 1976 CS1 Spider
Location: Gippsland - Victoria, Australia

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by Curly »

You guys have it easy with left-hand-drive :wink: You aught to try it with a pedal box and steering column in the way :evil: . Making the X1/9 valve fit and line up through the holes in the firewall can be tricky - I like the idea of cutting the pipe and using a piece of hose. I cut and welded the pipes on mine, but know now what I'll be doing next time :lol:.
Fiat88

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by Fiat88 »

Anyone want to guess what happened when I tried to get the nuts off the heater core studs...yup one broke. :cry: I got all them off but last one which was the hardest to reach snapped. :x Even with the nuts off I can't seem to seperate the heater pipe from the heater core anyway as I think rust is bonding it. New heater core is now on the list, that will be a good time to replace the heater fan as mine is squeeky. Anyone have instructions on how to install a new heater core? Thx.
swensonsj

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by swensonsj »

So, I have a question. The part that I bought from Vicks said that I may need to bend the inlet pipe by as much as 5 degrees to get the X 1/9 valve to mate up with the core. That's a pretty short piece of pipe but this may still be a stupid question: how do I bend the pipe 5 degrees without damaging it?
WYSpider

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by WYSpider »

Heat???
User avatar
boogiedude
Posts: 410
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:22 am
Your car is a: 1978 spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, HI

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by boogiedude »

Does anyone else see the images in the original post? it looks like some kind of advertisement for a business and a screenshot of someone playing runescape...
leftfield6

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by leftfield6 »

Yeah, I'm guessing the original poster has moved the pictures that he originally posted, and these were for some other use.
Fiat88

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by Fiat88 »

leftfield6 wrote:Yeah, I'm guessing the original poster has moved the pictures that he originally posted, and these were for some other use.
I just removed them as my old pics aren't there. :shock:
baltobernie
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Heater Valve, easy to replace?

Post by baltobernie »

Post Reply