Replacing the E30 Heater Core and Valve

[e30austin]

call me crazy, but i always install used ones. the new style heater valves are rubbish that hardly last a couple years. all the US spec e30s with factory air conditioning take the same heater valve, but if you have any questions, certainly reference your VIN on RealOEM.

[eternal24k]

They sell two different heater core valves one with the two crew holes on the clamp facing the the heater core is much cheaper. How can I tell which one I need prior to taking the old one out?

you could try checking RealOEM, but the best thing would be to peak at what you have as it's likely that the part superseded the other and wasn't a model year difference, but worth checking.

[Thunderzol]

They sell two different heater core valves one with the two crew holes on the clamp facing the the heater core is much cheaper. How can I tell which one I need prior to taking the old one out?

[MuDuRkKiO]

Can anybody tell me how to remove this black plastic vent? I can only see one screw on the bottom right which I took off but I can't see anywhere else it's attached to.

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If I remember correctly, try lifting it up and pulling. It has these little clips that attach to something deeper in the dashboard. Its just one screw and just basically lift it up and pull It out.

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[tenkaichibudokai]

Can anybody tell me how to remove this black plastic vent? I can only see one screw on the bottom right which I took off but I can't see anywhere else it's attached to.

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[jjc034]

@mbonanni
last questions...
i dont have ac but sometimes i enjoy the the blower motor lol...
if i close the valve, essentially im closing coolant flow off to the heater system which in turn would then allow the coolant to just cycle in the engine as if the heater core was bypassed right?


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You are correct - closed disables hot coolant from going through the heater core, causing there to be no heat.

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[mbonanni]

Yes that is correct, or at least that was my understanding of how the system works. I could be wrong though.

[shoshottz]

I wish I had more pics, but that’s all I’ve got. The valve is $10 from home depot. Just takes some clamps and some coolant hose to fab up.

Also, I think making it a straight shot will cause your air to blow max heat all the time. Since AC wont matter in your case I guess it depends if you want to control the heat or have a fan.

@mbonanni
last questions...
i dont have ac but sometimes i enjoy the the blower motor lol...
if i close the valve, essentially im closing coolant flow off to the heater system which in turn would then allow the coolant to just cycle in the engine as if the heater core was bypassed right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[eternal24k]

I wish I had more pics, but that’s all I’ve got. The valve is $10 from home depot. Just takes some clamps and some coolant hose to fab up.

Also, I think making it a straight shot will cause your air to blow max heat all the time. Since AC wont matter in your case I guess it depends if you want to control the heat or have a fan.

Hmmmmm, this helps me reconsider

[mbonanni]

I wish I had more pics, but that’s all I’ve got. The valve is $10 from home depot. Just takes some clamps and some coolant hose to fab up.

Also, I think making it a straight shot will cause your air to blow max heat all the time. Since AC wont matter in your case I guess it depends if you want to control the heat or have a fan.

[eternal24k]

so if i have no AC (24v swap), can i just fab up a straight pipe and forget the entire heater valve? any reason why i wouldnt want to?

[shoshottz]

My ball valve style fix is still going strong, was less than $10 to do. Just have to manually open/close if you want to use AC. However my car currently doesn’t have working ac soooo

sorry @jjoc i meant a write up on this! seriously!


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[jjc034]

any chance you can do a write up on that open close valve thingamabober!?


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Take off the kick panel and behind the plastic ducting you will see the heater core Tubing and valve. You will need to loosen the engine bay hose clamps first, then unscrew any of the mounts on the inside that hold the piping in place, remove the heater core cover, unclip heater valve connector, then wiggle out. Be careful though because it will be messy

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[shoshottz]

any chance you can do a write up on that open close valve thingamabober!?


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[bbkhine]

Thank you! I will revert those back as I have connected wrong. No wonder I have no heat. I will keep you posted.