RMills944

I have a bad coolant leak from back by the starter, what is this? It's on the back of the driver's side of the engine. How much will a shop charge to fix this??

Dal Heger

heater control valve, top of the engine, right above the clutch. Most likely your clutch is soaked and ruined.

Good luck.

Dal.

RMills944

How much is the heater control valve

RMills944

I know there are a bunch of people that will freak out about the suggestion, but if I drain the system adn put pure water in it, will that save my clutch since I can't have this done right now?

I know... no boilover protection, no freezing protection, blah, blah...
WILL IT SAVE ME A $1500 CLUTCH?!?

jabbadeznuts

No, it won't. Once the clutch disc is wet or oily, its all over. Sorry.

RMills944

Well, it hasn't leaked more than a 1/4 of the resorvouir yet, so I may be okay. I'll be getting rides next week I guess!

RMills944

Okay, I sucked it up, borrowed a truck and sent it into the shop.
I MUST GO SCREAM NOW, EXCUSE ME...

jabbadeznuts

Ryan, you made the right decision. Your clutch would have gone - no doubt.

Russian Rocket

wow.... i know how that feels good luck with the fix!!! these cars are rather tricky... So how does one avoid heater valve leaking? replacement , relocation???
Vlad.

RMills944

I read some old posts and NO MATTER WHAT it looks like you don't want to do it yourself. Of course when I'm walking funny out of the shop for being REAMED I'll think otherwise!

RMills944

Well, just to update this, it's not that bad - the valve with installation is only $180. Thats cheaper than I've ever comeout of the shop spending!
I GET MY BABY BACK TOMORROW!!!

Peckster

$180 is a deal. But they'll probably find something else to increase the reaming while they're in there.

Dal Heger

yea, just replace the hoses (they are very difficult to get to when the engine is in) and th heater control valve before they break. The parts are dirt cheap and they can save you a clutch job when they fail.

There is a heater control valve relocation kit that you can put together yourself. You just need the hose from a later 16 valve car for the block to heater core, and then some hard line to move the vacuum line to the front of the engine, right by the oil filter. The later cars had the heater control valves in that location.

Good luck!

Dal.

RMills944

I HATE YOU!!! They called and said the timing belt needed tensioned too - total's up to $315 now!

Peckster

I have no idea why I used the word probably.