Heater not working...Brrr in Seattle

[sjwcougs]

When I bought this car it was warm and really only figured to drive it in the summer and didn't care about the heater. With the beautiful sunny days we've had I want to get out even though it's cold.

The heater has been bypassed which would lead me to believe that the heater core or heater valve isn't working. I'm pretty sure there was a leak at some point on the passenger side. I have been working on restoring the interior and the old insulation under the black tar-like stuff under the carpet was all wet. I yanked everything. The good news: No rust!

Where do I start? Replace the heater valve, drain and reconnect cooling system to heater core? I don't even see where to run the cooling hoses into the firewall.

Any instructions with visuals out there?

[mdrburchette]

There should be two holes in the firewall right behind the distributor for the heater core. If you stand on your head in the passenger floorboard, the heater core is in the middle behind the radio console and the outlet is just to the right and right under the dash.

[rlux4]

Your PO probably bypassed the heater core because it was leaking. When you get it hooked up, run it a while to see if that's the case. If you have the original heater valve on it (it would have a capillary tube going up to lay on top of the heater core) then you're probably looking at replacing it.
Ron

[sjwcougs]

So is it more likely than not that the heater valve is bad and the heater core is still good? If I'm in there removing the center console it would make good sense to just replace the valve that isn't very expensive. The core is quite a bit more. Are there any tricks to removing the center console? I have the power window switches so there is a little more wiring up there.

Is there a tech bulletin for this so I can follow instructions. I see the opening behind the distributor, but where is the other opening to the heater core?

[mdrburchette]

There's a possibility you can see a residue on the heater valve, indicating a leak. The pipe from the heater valve is the water inlet and the pipe from the heater core is the outlet:

[mdrburchette]

Dang, doesn't look like you can read my labels. Sorry but computers aren't my strong suit. As far as removing the lower console, you can probably pry the window and blower motor switches out of the console to unhook there wiring. Make sure you take a pic and disconnect the battery. Once the radio console is removed, there is only one screw holding the lower console. Pop the rear ashtray out to access the screw. Hope this helps!

[mbouse]

try this

[sjwcougs]

You guys are great! Looks as if there some residue on the heater valve and that would make sense as to why the floor insulation was wet when I gutted all the carpet and padding. Will let you know when I get the valve replaced. Got the reupholstered seats back from the shop so I'm juggling all sorts of projects right now. I was NOT happy with the upholstery job on the seats, but I fixed them up. I DO NOT think that the quality of the seat covers from world upholstery is very good at all. just food for thought.

[So Cal Mark]

that's the only negative I've ever heard about World Uph. What is that issue? quality of material? Fit? please let us know what you don't like

[sjwcougs]

I was not happy with the overall fit of the seats. The dimensions are not very accurate to the original specs when you compare the seams. I also don't think the individual I hired to do the install did a very high quality job. The combination did not help.

I did not replace the foam in the seats as they seemed to be in very good shape overall. I wonder if they (world uph) measured to the specs on their own seat foam. At $100 per seat for the foam I couldn't justify purchasing those as well when mine seemed to be in good shape. That being said the fit on the rear seats wasn't very snug either with too much loose material around corners and contours. Couldn't really blame this on the foam. A lot of the problem has to do with the install, but a lot I think had to do with the fit of the covers. The quality of the material seemed to be a bit flimsy and tears relatively easy. With all of this in mind the seats looks A LOT better than they did before and the price seemed to be fair. I'm sure I will be happy after they are installed and get the finishing touches on them.

[pope]

I think a couple of days in the hot sun will take care of the loose fit problem. I've seen Wanda take a heat gun to the seats to get them to shrink to a good fit. Post a picture of the seats so we can see.

[sjwcougs]

will post pics as soon as a get another camera. digi camera was left in the rental car on a trip to LA. oops

[sjwcougs]

Well I started trying to remove the old heater valve. This is a real pain in the a@$! Can anybody help with tips on how to easily remove and install this SOB. I cannot get tools back to two of the nuts holding the valve down. I dropped the double relay down to get a lttle more room, but the problem mainly is in the fact that i can't tools in the cramped area. I know you guys have done this before so any help would appreciated. I ordered the new valve from IAP.

[rlux4]

The heater box has flat protrusions that come out over the nuts you're not being able to get a tool on. Take a pair of needle nose pliers and break off enough of these to get a socket over the nut. If you break off a little at a time you won't hurt the body of the box. Usually something like these are there for stiffening purposes but it won't hurt anything to snap some off.
Ron

[pope]

Use your cell phone to take pics