97 2.3 coolant leak

WJC97 · Nov 13, 2009

Man this thing is turning into a money pit already...
Anyway I noticed the coolant bottle was empty, and while changing the starter I got a snootfull of coolant drippings from above. :yahoo:

It looks like some strange 4-way plastic or bakelite tree connecting the heater hoses from the cab to the hoses going to the motor. I guess it's cracked. Is is this part that I'm seeing, and WTF does it do? ...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...-Air_15490015-P_394_R|GRPCOOLAMS_888800034___

98greenrangerguy · Nov 13, 2009

That is the heater control valve. It diverts the coolant away from the heater core when the A/C is on. Mine started to leak around the little metal arm on the bottom. I would get a replacement at the dealer if I were you. I went through two Autozone specials in two years.

adsm08 · Nov 13, 2009

yeah, those things are pretty notorious for failing. Leaking, jamming, vac diaphragm failing, etc. Buy 2.

idfeiid · Nov 14, 2009

I just got 2 male-male 5/8" connectors and bypassed that stupid valve cost me like $4 to fix it, I'm not sure what the replacement valves cost but I'm sure its not $4.

RangerNeophyte · Feb 10, 2016

idfeiid said:
I just got 2 male-male 5/8" connectors and bypassed that stupid valve cost me like $4 to fix it, I'm not sure what the replacement valves cost but I'm sure its not $4.

Why have the valve at all if you can just bypass it? Does your heat still work and your engine stay cool?

Mike1919 · Feb 13, 2016

That valve is to keep hot water out of the heater core when you run your a/c. I installed one on my 91 f250 and didn't notice all that much of a difference, a little, but not much, so if you do bypass it you'll be fine, and the heater will work the same, just be sure to plug the vacuum line

97 2.3 coolant leak

WJC97

15+ Year Member

98greenrangerguy

15+ Year Member

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey

idfeiid

15+ Year Member

RangerNeophyte

10+ Year Member

Mike1919

10+ Year Member

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