Scootin_Z

Hey guys,

95 LT1....

Just got back from the Power Tour. Fresh engine with a small pro charger. 3000 miles and she ran like a top.
Today I decided to give it a full bath/detail after all the miles. So I'm all done and since it was nice and shiny and a PERFECT day, I decided to take a quick spin before dinner. Did not even get out of my subdivision and I smell coolant. Just then the low coolant light comes on and the needle was moving up fast. Made it home right when she was getting close to 240. I open the hood and of course there is coolant all over my freshly detailed engine bay.

Start looking around and see a wide open hose that is coming from heater core. Find the other end and that goes to the water pump. The split is right by the coolant fill area, and there is what appears to be some sort of plastic valve that has split in 2 with one half of it in each hose. I did find a small spring laying on the frame, but whatever was inside this plastic case is gone. I do have the service manual for the car and I have spent the last half hour trying to figure out what the heck this is?

Anyone have any idea what this thing is and a part number? I'm hoping it's still available at the dealer, or somewhere????

I plan on heading to the Street Machine Nationals in a little over a week, so any help is appreciated!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Couple of pics:

94flavette

Heater Control Valve - AC Delco part #10157988 revised to 155423

The AC Delco version is on wholesale clearance at RockAuto for $6.31 but remember to look in the Heat/AC section of the parts listing, NOT the Cooling System section.

Silver96ce

Here you go:

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....~Z5Z5Z50000050

Scootin_Z

Thanks much guys. What exactly does this do? I have never had one fail, and all my other cars I wrench on are old muscle so if they have one I have never had one fail...

Scootin_Z

WOW...94flavette...Great find!!! That was the last AC Delco unit they had. $12.50 with 2 day shipping. This was an cheap and easy breakdown.

So glad it happened here close to home and NOT on the Power Tour!

Thanks again!!!

94flavette

Glad I could help.

I just bought my second '94 and am redoing the cooling system. Mine isn't broken, but those plastic parts get old so I ordered a new one last week. $7 is pretty cheap peace of mind.

From what I understand, they are used to regulate the force of the coolant from the engine to the heater core under high RPM. Some on here find it an unnecessary part. I disagree. It has to be there for a reason.

Evan

Silver96ce

IIRC, it limits flow to the heater core at higher revs to help prevent damage/bursting of the heater core.

Midnight 85

Given the fact that you have a pro charger and your avatar shows you doing a burnout I do believe I would be looking at an alternative to the plastic piece. Either that or buy a handful of them & change them out periodically

Scootin_Z

Yeah I'm sure this was the original, so they get old. Your smart replacing yours before it fails! Thanks again!


Thanks for the info!

Yeah this was a low mile car and no the motor is far from stock, but I will keep an eye on this one, and for the money just replace it when I flush it.