bypass heater control

[burg68]

hey my vr`s heater control unit has started weeping im wondering if its ok to just bypass this unit as i live in qld never used the heater

[The1]

the plastic heater tap is a $15 part, id just replace it

[hako]

It's also a roadworthy item so you can get defected if it's disconnected (admittedly you'd have to be unlucky). I got mine from AutoBarn for $35. You can bypass it by joining the inlet/outlet where they join to the tap but for all that trouble I'd just get a new one as The1 says. Do it soon as they do have a habit of totally disintegrating.

[Brett_jjj]

Another thing to consider is that once the heater core is bypassed, theres no coolant inside the core to protect it from corrosion etc, and it will corrode away fairly quickly once air gets inside it. Its a big job to replace the heater core too, the dash has to be removed to do the job properly, so Id also agree with the guys above, its a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to just replace the heater tap.

[burg68]

im talking bout just putting a joiner between the hoses where the unit usually is but will that cause the heater to be on all the time?

[The1]

yeh the heater switch position vacuum operates the lever on the tap.

Here a quick search on ebay for the cheapest, $19 posted
Heater Valve Tap 001 VN VR VX VS VT VY Commodore V6 V8S | eBay

[hako]

im talking bout just putting a joiner between the hoses where the unit usually is but will that cause the heater to be on all the time?

If you put the joiner on the engine side of the heater tap and not the heater side, the heater will not be on and the bypass will operate as normal.