Greggles

There are a few options for the heater valve replacement. Sooooo.....
One of the sponsors offers an all metal upgrade to the OEM heater valve (~$53 to my door). Has anyone tried it? There is a NAPA replacement which is been used in at least a few 928's (~ $30 at the store). OEM is ~$21 to my door.
This is far from a major financial commitment, but I would like some opinions.

Thanks in advance

deliriousga

Sorry Greggles, no answer from me, just interested......I threw the oem one in with another order for parts since it was just $14 and I was a newbie who didn't know there were alternatives. It fixed my "always hot" problem, but it sure would be nice next time to have a more reliable one that would last much longer. I figure at 1 to 1-1/2 hours, it'd be well worth the extra $38 not to have to do it ever again.

Garth S

Since it's opinion you want , I've one to spare: when it's time to replace this valve, metal will be the choice: NAPA will be the source, as it saves the hassle of importing ( location issue).

Jfrahm

I got an all metal Audi 5000 valve, works fine. $30 or so.

-Joel.

Marc Schwager

I just installed the NAPA. It works great and popped right in. My plastic one had internal problems that you couldn't see from the outside but caused poor heater performance. It still held a vacuum, but was running on borrowed time. Seeing as a catastrophic failure can cause a serious coolant loss, I'm happier with metal in the line.

Greggles

Thanks.
Sounds like the smart play is the NAPA valve?

Joel
what MY Audi 5000?

JE928Sx4.

The old valve lasted 20 years. What's all the fuss that you HAVE to have a metal valve? What makes you think the metal valve will fair any better after 20?

heinrich

JE my valves last about 2 years a piece. Have hot air after shutting off for a few minutes? Need a new one.

JE928Sx4.

Really. I don't seem to have that problem. Nearly every 928 I've owned needed a new one. Every one looked like the original though.

Big Dave

What's the part number for the metal valves?

heinrich

NAPA Part Number: Audi 5000 1983 heater valve

Jfrahm

I agree that the OEM heater valve did last a long time, but the 968 guys have had them crack and spew coolant. I doubt the metal valve will crack. There is also something to be said for driving by the store and picking one up. If a part is a better design I say put it in, even if the OEM part would probably last long enough to be someone else's problem. I'm not sure the Audi part is a better design but I believe it probably is.

-Joel.

Greggles

John
My heater valve lasting 20 years? I'm wonder if I'll be around it 20 years.
I'm with you on that point, however we're talking about a part that was most likely designed close to 30 years ago and who know how long they've been sitting around? This parts has a history of failing, how often, not very, but if there is a better mousetrap I'd like to try it. Which is why I asked the question.

SharkSkin

Maybe your MY cars are different than the 78... The second I shut mine off, that heater valve slams open. And yes, my vac reservoir and vac system inside the cabin hold vacuum for weeks... When the car was in the shop, not running for several weeks, I went in and played with the vac locks... they cycled several times, and didn't run out of "suck" while I was messing with them... YMMV

heinrich

Dave nope with a new valve it stays closed.