Steamy Goodness...

[84bluebronco2]

Pulled into the driveway today, and noticed the smell of antifreeze and saw steam coming out from the right side of the hood.... Shut the engine off and popped the hood and it looked like the steam was coming from the area around the heater core hoses... Does that plastic fitting have a tendency to split?

94 Explorer XLT 4.0/M5OD

 

[nb11]

I'm not sure if the design is the same on our trucks, but I had one break too. It's kinda where the hose T's off to go to the heater core?

 

[84bluebronco2]

Exactly where it is. I've gotta get a better look this afternoon, but unfortunately it seems to be one problem after another lately...

 

[Loud Ranger]

Ya mine leaked in the same spot. Its the heater control valve and its was pretty cheap at the parts store. Just remove the hose clamps and vacuum hose and repeat in the reverse order.

 

[jhammel85]

I've heard of those breaking too. At least it wasn't something worse, like the radiator!

 

[nb11]

Yea, that's what mine was. I was at a traffic light and steam started pouring out from under the hood. I turned the heater on full blast (always been told that's the thing to do if it's overheating) and it made it worse lol. It did give my engine bay a nice steam cleaning.

 

[Loud Ranger]

Mine steamed up bad too when it leaked since it sprays it right onto the exhaust.

 

[john.masce]

Yep went out like 5 times, all from NAPA

 

[84bluebronco2]

Rep to nb11 and Loud Ranger! It ended up being the heater control valve. Do I have to have the switch on the dash in any specific position when installing the valve?

Where it broke:

Post extraction leftovers:

 

[Loud Ranger]

I just threw mine in i didnt pay any attention to where the heater was set to when i did it but it still works great. I just made sure to hook the hoses up to the right spots. Mine leaked by the metal ring where the 2 pieces meet.

 

[killj0y]

Mine just blew last week. I still swear its leaking from somewhere. Yours looks exactly like mine when I got it out...also cheap and easy fix thank god.

 

[84bluebronco2]

New valve in, and my heat is super toasty. Game, Set, Match, victory ME!!