On the cheap(er) OEM style replacements, they will lose the ability to shut
off water flow no matter if they are open or closed. I went through about
three of those before ordering the then-$70 Gowesty upgrade valve and
installing it. Even then it failed after two years but they sent me a free
replacement. That has been about twelve years and no problem with the
valve, just the cable-kink service Dennis describes one time.

The swap out operation is almost trivial. Don’t try to work with your hands
up in the valve cavity lying on your back. Drop the glovebox and remove the
two heater hose connections from the heater core. Pinch off the hoses with
harbor freight hose clamps so you don’t lose coolant. Lower the whole valve
assembly to the driveway and work on it there, then draw the hoses back up
and reconnect to the heater core.

Jim

On Fri, May 24, 2024 at 6:12 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> First place to look is at the cable. Common for it to kink at the lever
> end. Easy to service after pulling instrument cluster.
> Only reason to replace valve is if it is frozen to the point it cannot
> move or it leaks. If it moves, it will close as best it can unless the guts
> were melted.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of ron
> johnson
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2024 10:03 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Front heater never shuts off
>
> My 91 is so uncomfortable in the summer.
> Heat pours out of the dash with the heat control fully off.
> Recommendations mostly point to replacing the control valve which is a
> difficult process. Howes sells a deluxe unit for $90…..
> Can a shut-off valve be installed in an easier to access location.
>
> Many Thanks,
> Ron J
> Portland, OR
> 91 Weekender, ‘Betsy’
>