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Water Valve Replacement. The heater water valve controls the flow of coolant to the heater core. If this plastic-bodied unit cracks, you will instantly lose a majority of your coolant. The engine-side valves installed in air conditioned cars are exposed to much more heat and have a shorter lifespan than the passenger-side valves in heater-only cars. The engine-side units last about eight years and should then be discarded. When you replace this, consider new heater hoses as well.
For Air Conditioned Cars: The heater water valve is installed in the engine compartment, right near the top of the transmission fill tube and under the intake manifold near the firewall. It's hard to see it and the area is crowded: best to feel down the bottom heater hose until you find it. To replace:
Disconnect battery ground. Pinch off both heater hoses in the engine compartment
Remove the vacuum line attached to the valve
Remove the valve. Clamp screws are 7 mm and you will need an extension and universal joint to access them.
Install the new valve and tighten the clamps. [RMagoo] The valve goes between the heater hose connected to the short pipe coming out the cylinder head and the heater hose entering the bottom tube of the firewall connector . The arrow on the valve points toward the firewall. The top heater hose goes to the red pipe behind the head leading to the water pump.
Install the vacuum line
For Heater-Only Cars: The heater water valve is installed in the left side footwell, up near the left edge of the center console behind the kickpanel. It is mounted to a plate on the firewall. It is round with a hose entering it from the heater core.
To remove:
Disconnect battery ground and remove left side dash under panel and air hose
Remove the accelerator pedal and the the ignition control box and, if you have it, the cruise control connector, all for better access.
Clamp off lower hose from valve to heater core
Clamp off lower hose in engine compartment then disconnect
Place cloth on carpet to soak up spilled coolant
Remove lower hose inside car connected to valve
Remove control housing from water valve
Remove plastic valve by rotating clockwise. Unhook cable
To Install:
Reconnect cable to water valve
Install valve by placing it on the mount and turning counterclockwise
Mount and adjust the control housing
Reconnect hoses under dash and in engine compartment
Remove hose clamps
Make sure that the heater hoses are held by the plastic clips that keep them away from the block, the EGR system, and other areas they can wear and leak.
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