When do you need to replace a heater control valve?
Never drive an overheating vehicle or an extended period of time. Typically, the mechanical heater control valve is replaced because it is leaking. The mechanical unit can leak coolant or the vacuum diaphragm can rupture causing a vacuum leak which will stop control valve operation.
What causes a heater control valve to stop working?
The mechanical unit can leak coolant or the vacuum diaphragm can rupture causing a vacuum leak which will stop control valve operation. The cooling system is pressurized so a coolant leak at the control valve can cause the coolant level to become very low and cause the engine to overheat.
How does a heater control valve work on a car?
Here a fan forces air across the surface of the heater core and then into the passenger compartment where the warm air is felt. During times when the air conditioner is in use, the heater control valve closes, preventing engine coolant from entering the heater core.
What should I do if my heater control valve is leaking?
The control valve can be mechanically or electronically activated and is commanded by user input. If the valve is leaking, you may see dried residue close to the color of the system coolant. These are the remnants of some of the dyes and chemicals used in the engine coolant.
Never drive an overheating vehicle or an extended period of time. Typically, the mechanical heater control valve is replaced because it is leaking. The mechanical unit can leak coolant or the vacuum diaphragm can rupture causing a vacuum leak which will stop control valve operation.
The mechanical unit can leak coolant or the vacuum diaphragm can rupture causing a vacuum leak which will stop control valve operation. The cooling system is pressurized so a coolant leak at the control valve can cause the coolant level to become very low and cause the engine to overheat.
Here a fan forces air across the surface of the heater core and then into the passenger compartment where the warm air is felt. During times when the air conditioner is in use, the heater control valve closes, preventing engine coolant from entering the heater core.
The control valve can be mechanically or electronically activated and is commanded by user input. If the valve is leaking, you may see dried residue close to the color of the system coolant. These are the remnants of some of the dyes and chemicals used in the engine coolant.