HOW: do you bypass the heater valve? *resolved*

[XtannerXm535iX]

HOW: do you bypass the heater valve?

is it bad for your car at all?

...thanks!



[Edit by XtannerXm535iX on [TIME]1109328330[/TIME]]

[Shawn D.]

Define "bypass" -- do you mean to stop flow completely, have your heater run at 100% all the time, or have the flow go from the head to the thermostat housing without going through the heater core?

If you mean to block the flow, you could simply insert an appropriately-sized freeze plug into the rubber hose and reconnect it. NAPA has a gazillion.

If you mean to run the heater at 100%, just get some barb fittings and an ell. However, this might damage the heater core unless you run the air at greater than position 2.

If you mean to run the water from the head to the thermostat housing directly, why? It would serve no purpose.

[BillW in StL]

I inserted a 13 mm deep socket in its place. Always on.
Then in the summer I used a house AC fuse, which is a similar shape but not hollow. Always off.
I am not too proud of either kluge.

[smackmybutter535i]

Go to any auto parts store. Get a 3/4 heater hose connector. They are about $1.50. Take out the valve(it's easier with the thing out) then just use this piece to connect the two hoses together, and you got heat. Happy hacking!!

[XtannerXm535iX]

[QUOTE="smackmybutter535i"]Go to any auto parts store. Get a 3/4 heater hose connector. They are about $1.50. Take out the valve(it's easier with the thing out) then just use this piece to connect the two hoses together, and you got heat. Happy hacking!![/QUOTE]

okay, i'll give that a try when i have time... thanks for your help!

[smackmybutter535i]

Wait!! Don't go through the hastle. First, try disconnecting the electrical connection to the valve. That should work, I was just checking out some wiring diagrams for the circuit and I think that will open the valve. Just try it. Its a shot in the dark but lemme know if it works. I'm a novice I wanna see how good I am.

[Shawn D.]

[QUOTE="smackmybutter535i"]Wait!! Don't go through the hastle. First, try disconnecting the electrical connection to the valve. That should work, I was just checking out some wiring diagrams for the circuit and I think that will open the valve. Just try it. Its a shot in the dark but lemme know if it works. I'm a novice I wanna see how good I am.[/QUOTE]

Yes, on a properly operating heater valve, that will work -- it's open when no power is applied. However, the classic valve failure symptom is loss of heat at speed; this is caused by the flow forcing the valve shut. Simply disconnecting the power will do nothing to help this case.

[smackmybutter535i]

Maybe it's an electrical problem. Just trying to get the guy some heat, with the least dicking around.

[XtannerXm535iX]

haha... no worries, i found a rebuilt kit.

thanks