Heater Control Valve Vacuum Leak

[hntr45]

Hey guys, I have a 1997 ranger xlt with the 2.3. I found out today that I have a vacuum leak that is keeping my heater control valve from opening up, so no coolant gets to the heater core. I can't seem to find the right vacuum diagram to figure out where the vacuum hoses go either. I believe it is between this round thing and the control valve but I don't know if they have anything to do with each other. Ill post a pic of the round thing because I have no clue what it is called. It is the part with the red arrow pointing to it. Any help is appreciated

 

[97RangerXLT]

That round thing is the vacuum reservoir. it will maintain vacuum on your HVAC controls when your engine is not producing vacuum (Wide open throttle for example) you can probably get this at autozone or similar, if nothing else, hit up the junkyards. I would imagine that this is not a Ranger specific part and probably most Fords use the same part.

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

it also should have a check valve in it that does not allow air back in. if that check valve fails, you will have intermittent issues with your hvac controls such as going to defrost mode under hard acceleration.

also, it is part #5 in your picture

AJ

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Have you traced the vacuum tube from the reservor to the intake manifold? If the line is hard or cracked replace it.