After seeing the pics of Rolex's 968 engine I see the heater valve is located up by the water pump. Is this OEM, and has anyone swapped the 968 parts onto a 2.5 liter engine?

Thread link for reference

 

Its a nice link to a post about me and my gay lover.

 

Yes, that is the stock location for the valve (on 968). There have been many accounts of these valves failing and switching to an Audi style (metal rather than plastic). As for using them on 944, That I can't say.

 

The heater control valve (HCV) definitely fails more frequently in the 968 location than the 944 location -- I've seen it happen three times to local 968's (once to myself) but never on 944's. I'm not sure why it fails more -- maybe to close the engine and the plastic just melts (the OEM HCV is basically two plastic halves glued together. Metal replacements from an Audi is often used.)

In the 968 location, a failure seems to happen during aggressive driving (such as track or autoX) and it results in coolant dumping right over your right front tire (potentially sending you in a spin). In the 944 location, a failure -- while less frequent -- would dump coolant into your clutch and destroying it. Bad outcome in either cases.

If you move it to the 968 location, avoid the OEM part.

 

It is in the same location on my 88 944S. Haven't had any problems so far.

 

Anyone have any pics of this? The link is not working. Also what does the Audi unit look like, and what model do you get it for?

 

I've seen two 968 heater valves go kaboom during autocrosses.

I seem to recall there was a thread in the 968 section regarding a metal replacement that is available at autoparts stores (generic, non-porsche part). A little search there may turn up a lot.

 

I have seen one 968 HCV go during autocross - lots of steam!

I would be nice to have a metal valve up front - my dad changed the one on my brother's 944 and it damn near conquered him........

 

We relocated the heater valve to the front on Ashton's car...you should be able to find the thread using search.

That is the stock location on my S2...no problems so far in 4+ years of ownership.

(knocks on wood)

 

Here is one from an Audi 5000. I've seen another one used also.

 

I know this thread is old but I'd like to bring it back and get some more discussion on relocating the newer metal valve up front for reliability. Can anyone link me to a resource with pictures about someone who has done this. Is there a step by step guide somewhere showing me the in's and out's of modifying this?

I'm pretty mechanically able but I'd rather not experiment with such a nice car.

 

If you put the metal HCV on a 944, in the stock location, you should be set for life. If your only goal is reliability, I think the metal one is ultra reliable, wherever you put it.

 

bummer, I just ordered a new oem one. My heater wont shut off.

 

I should've been more clear. I have a 968 and I was looking to prevent any possible problems in the future. However the car will be auto-x'd and someone said if the HCV fails it would destroy the clutch? I've got a brand new clutch so this is a bad thing!