Broke Down (Heater Valve)

[svenedin]

Excitement out in the car today. Suddenly, with no warning, whilst at traffic lights, huge clouds of steam from under the bonnet. Turned the engine off immediately, opened bonnet to isolate the battery as initially I thought the car might be on fire. Very fortunately, I had a passenger so we could push the car a very short distance to a lay-by.

The car had leaked almost all of its water from the heater valve. The front plate of the valve assembly had parted company from the body of the valve. We tried to fill up with water and could see the water pouring out from the valve.

I called the AA but whilst we were waiting I took the valve off and determined that the front plate could be temporarily re-attached with a couple of. cable ties. Some very helpful locals gave me some water. We refilled with water, no leaks so started up and waited until the engine got up to temperature. All was well so we drove home.

The hazard light switch/relay I fitted last week got used much sooner than I expected......

Not pleased that the valve failed. I could understand it failing if the rubber diaphragm inside had perished but it should not have failed by falling apart!

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[les]

The AA are still looking for you !!

[svenedin]

The AA are still looking for you !!

Haha. I did cancel the AA.

[kevin s]

Probably a Modern pattern part, many of them simply are not fit for purpose. I used a plastic VW in line one on ours.

[myoldjalopy]

Fit the tap type instead: https://www.morrisminorspares.com/cooli ... pe-p829651

[svenedin]

Yes it is a nasty modern pattern part albeit installed 20 years ago. I considered the tap type but then there’s no heater control from inside the cabin. However with the heater air baffle in off there’s no hot air coming through so it scarcely makes any difference

[svenedin]

I think I replaced that valve in 1996. Disappointed! What amazed me though was how my breakdown attracted hordes of Surrey “gentlemen of a certain age”. Invaluable assistance and a wonderful camaraderie.

[svenedin]

The offending valve removed and replaced. ESM say their valve is much better made now but there was a bad batch some years back that tended to “explode”. It was a good opportunity to fully flush the cooling system and to unblock the engine block drain as well. No harm done!

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