Heater Tap Question

[bundy_boy]

Hi,

Is it still possible to have a faulty heater tap even though the vacuum is still opening and closing it properly?

[Delish-VY]

heater taps are baaastards, and im sure everybody else will tell you the same thing, I had to replace one on my vectra, and im expecting in the future to have to replace one on my VY-s pack because they are such a cheap looking part, if you have any real doubts on how its running, just replace it? they are only about 30 bucks and if its gonna prevent overheating your engine your probly better off

[bundy_boy]

thanks for the reply delish.

I dont have any overheating problems, im more talking about it still allowing hot coolant through event know the tap is closed (or assuming its closed due to the vacuum still working)

My air con is blowing only coolish air, rather then very cold and im thinking maybe the hot coolant is still mixing with the cold air causing this problem.

I had the system regassed about 3 months ago, didnt drive it for 1 week, and suddenly the air con is not working like it should.

The air con guy said there were no leaks, therefore im assuming its not a gas issue.

[accentstencil]

It is possible for the tap not to be shutting completely, it wouldn't have to be open very much to allow hot coolant through. If you can stick your head under driver's side of the dash and find the heater pipes, feel if they are hot with the tap closed.

[bundy_boy]

if the tap is not shutting properly, would that be more likely be a tap problem or vacuum problem?

Im thinking ill just bybass the heater tap and force the coolant from the engine back into the engine and see if that works, only problem is i still have the old type spring type clamps and i hate undoing those bitches, especially the smaller ones in tight spaces lol

[accentstencil]

Try turning the little lever on the heater tap by hand and see if it turns off more.

[pablo]

To alleviate any hot coolant from flowing to the heater core when the vacuum tap is off, I cut the inlet heater hose next to the bulk head and fitted in a ball valve in line. So in summer when I don't use the heater, I turn off the ball valve so no hot water can bleed into the heater core from a leaky heater valve. Come the cooler weather, I turn it back on and leave it till next summer. That way, I am getting the most out of te air con.

[accentstencil]

To alleviate any hot coolant from flowing to the heater core when the vacuum tap is off, I cut the inlet heater hose next to the bulk head and fitted in a ball valve in line. So in summer when I don't use the heater, I turn off the ball valve so no hot water can bleed into the heater core from a leaky heater valve. Come the cooler weather, I turn it back on and leave it till next summer. That way, I am getting the most out of te air con.

That's a good idea, I might do that myself. Often when I get back in the car after it has been driven I get hot air in the face until the A/C kicks in.

[VRcommondoor]

I have recently broken my heater tap while trying to inspect it because it was leaking. As a temporary fix would it be OK to plug and clamp the hoses? I am guessing from what I have read of others posts that the only effect this would have is disabling the heater. Is this still OK to do with dual fuel?

[graham7773]

Pablo, where do I get the correct ball valve?