Heater hose question....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: cottage grove MN
Heater hose question....
Hi Gang, hows it going? Got a question. The heater core is leaking on my 81.
Since I just bought the car I cannot afford to replace it (right now anyway). After reading through the archives (here) I decided to connect the two heater hoses together and just bypass the core altogether until I can afford to get it fixed. Anyways last night I was looking at the heater hoses where they go in to the firewall (by the a/c )and I noticed there was what appears to be a valve on one of them (metallic, round and about 3"-4" in diameter with a wire coming off). Is it possible this is a switch that turns off the flow of anti-freeze to the core when the heater controls are off and temp control is on cold??
Could I be that lucky????
Since I just bought the car I cannot afford to replace it (right now anyway). After reading through the archives (here) I decided to connect the two heater hoses together and just bypass the core altogether until I can afford to get it fixed. Anyways last night I was looking at the heater hoses where they go in to the firewall (by the a/c )and I noticed there was what appears to be a valve on one of them (metallic, round and about 3"-4" in diameter with a wire coming off). Is it possible this is a switch that turns off the flow of anti-freeze to the core when the heater controls are off and temp control is on cold??
Could I be that lucky????
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Heater hose question.... (Harv69)
Yep, that's the heater control valve.
The "wire" is actually a small diamater vacuum tube. It is controlled by a vacuum relay above the glove box which in turn, is controlled by the temperature selector on the center console.
The "wire" is actually a small diamater vacuum tube. It is controlled by a vacuum relay above the glove box which in turn, is controlled by the temperature selector on the center console.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: cottage grove MN
Re: Heater hose question.... (Neo Fender)
Thanks!, So if I leave the heater control in the off position that should end the anti freeze leaking? (except I realize it may continue leaking for a bit until the remaining coolant leaks out of the core) or do I need to have the control on a/c to close the flow of coolant. (a/c runs but does not throw any cold air)
Thanks again for your help.
Thanks again for your help.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Melville NY
Re: Heater hose question.... (Harv69)
Best solution remove both heater hose that will clean-up under the hood. Then go to a hardware store and buy 2-brass 3/4 inch plugs and install at block. Don't need a heater in a vette unless you live in Buffalo and you drive it in the winter.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Heater hose question.... (Harv69)
No, coolant will pass through the heater core when it is not in the a/c position. I would splice the lines together until you can replace the heater core.
