Heater Control Valve: seal failure
 

Heya All!

So, I replaced the knackered heater control valve cables; their “sheaths” all worn and slipping out the brackets clamp.

If you’ve eve checked it, you probably recognise the attached state of repair.

Cleaned up the heater controls, nice clean & spiffy!

Start car checking some other bits out.
A smell.
Nothing engine bay side.
Rather, a coolant leak into the passenger footwell.
(LHD 2 Door P130)

Turns out the bastard seal at the control valve and actuator, had perished.
But did not leak before as the lever mechanism at the upper top right on controls (cold setting) was not fully engaging / ‘all the way up’
When it did fully engage, provided just enough flex to dislodge whatever build there was preventing the bad seal from being sprung.

Also turns out the rectangular seal which should seat between HCV and firewall, was nowhere to be seen.

So, see picture two;
I’ve temporarily bypassed the heater control valve entirely, with barbed hose connector between the top and bottom hoses typically feeding/exiting the heater control valve.

No leaks.
Drove 30 miles Sunday, motorways, lanes etc; all good.
Recent ‘stat refresh firmly in charge & temp under control, pleasingly!
10 miles a day since, in horrendous traffic; all good.

Questions though;
Would much appreciate some advice on;
Any one using a reliably solid after market or found a genuine OEM heater control valve unit in the UK/EU?

Have heard bad things about further afield knock offs..

Any reason for concern with attached temporary fix?

Much appreciate the fellow Volvo owner:fan guidance & advice!

Cheers!
BLS

BLS;

Rebuild kits for HCVs are available...

See also: https://www.sw-em.com/Heater_Control_Valve.htm

Cheers

Thanks Ron - awesome info at SW-EM as ever!!

I think I’ve seen Ranco HCV online, but also some probable knock offs..
And so my hesitation to purchase one without a Volvo heads recommendation.

Am UK based, so ideally would like to find a solid local or EU based recommended source too.

Brookhouse have one, at £120 GBP...(!)..., looks like a Ranco stamped model too.

Any further recommends would be ace!

Cheers,
BLS

Did my 142 valve if that is of any help. https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=heater+valve

Hi, I got mine from VP Autoparts, albeit for an 1800, but I would think it’s from the same manufacturer. Here’s theirs for the Amazon:

https://vp-autoparts.se/en/artiklar/...tt-amazon.html

Also think that most reputable suppliers of Classic Volvo parts, in addition to Brookhouse source theirs from the same supplier.

Scandix, in addition to the OEM style sells an cheaper alternative one that would require some modification.

https://www.skandix.de/en/spare-part...valve/1042997/

CVI is known to reproduce many parts, and some of the other Classic Volvo suppliers source those from CVI.

Having said all that, I would expect that getting one from brookhouse would be your most convenient source. You could inquire of them where they get theirs.

Or my “poor man’s” solution:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=219287

Post #4

Still good – now 14 years later.