mpbarrett Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 My heater valve suddenly started to leak yesterday while I was out in the Herald.... Its a Smith heater and I think the old diaphragm valve, which I think is not serviceable? Before I buy a replacement, I seem to remember reading somewhere about a better quality replacement (It was either on here or one of the better forums...), I think based on a normal ball valve and commonly used on US cars. Any ideas or shall I just get a standard replacement? cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 If it's the diaphragm that's gone then they are in theory replaceable, though I couldn't obtain one. From memory there's also a rubber seal that seals the unit to the matrix. This is available I think, or possible to knock up an alternative?. I replaced mine with a standard one direct from a place up North that makes them (I assume supplies all usual suspects). Some folk have had problems with them failing in a year or so. Mine has been fine for 4 years though car is used all the time and I open up the heater regularly to keep it active. Also the supplier said to have the heater in the on position when not in use, as this prolongs life. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 Smiths heater valve....... rubbish design to begin with and current replacements seem to use the same kind of fake "rubber" that gets used for balljoint gaiters - with the same results. Unfortunately the Smiths heater design for Herald and Vitesse has the valve somewhat integrated so quite difficult to use an alternative without matrix modifications. Various possibilities. None especially easy to implement. Some covered on this TR6 thread https://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/53697-alternative-heater-valve/ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heater-Control-Valve-H38C-2678-030-fits-Fairway-driver-LONDON-TAXI-LTI-TX1-/112288843845?clk_rvr_id=1598561945491&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=twenga&utm_campaign=twenga&utm_param=eyJlcyI6MCwicyI6OTcyMDIzNywiY2kiOiIwMzZhYTJmOTc5YzQ1OTMwYmQzNTk0MWQxZGQxYzU5ZCIsImkiOiIyNDg5MjM2OTE3MzAyMjQ2NTkzIiwidHMiOjE1MzE2NTEwOTQsInYiOjMsInNvIjoxNTAwLCJjIjozMzU0NX0%3D&rmvSB=true I actually bought this one (was costly as got stung for import duty too - worth checking out other sources - it's a very common part, just not on the cursed Isle) https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=815508&jsn=255 and fitted thus Heater matrix mods were needed but it now works as a heater valve should, unlike the Smiths thing. The taxi valve in the second link is internally similar but will require different tricks to install. There is also a plastic valve used on may 80s VWs which is cheap and works beautifully. We have one on Chris's Spit. Also difficult to implement nicely on a Herald/Vitesse though. Good luck..... Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 7 hours ago, Nick Jones said: There is also a plastic valve used on many 80s VWs which is cheap and works beautifully. We have one on Chris's Spit. Also difficult to implement nicely on a Herald/Vitesse though. Good luck..... Nick Comes from an early model Polo and works very well, even if it looks nothing like the original. Can be hard to find one, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 Not just Polo. Easy....... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heater-Control-Valve-for-Heat-Exchanger-VW-Golf-MK1-Caddy-1-Cabriolet-155/311930885143?fits=Car+Make%3AVW&epid=1738730199&hash=item48a0879417%3Ag%3AjyMAAOSw-olaDJVu&_sacat=0&_nkw=vw+heater+valve&_from=R40&rt=nc First of several listings. Seem to be available again now, they were hard to find for a few years. Not classy but effective. Reverse acting compared to Smiths. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbarrett Posted July 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 thanks for the suggestions. It was the Jeep one that I remembered. for a fiver might buy the Polo one and have a play. cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 I have one of those polo ones lying around somewhere. It has much bigger pipes than the Smiths one so I decided to save myself the hassle of all those hose changes and keep it original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 I replaced the valve on mine last week. The old valve was completely blocked with goo, the hosepipe wouldn't clear it. With the hose pipe connected to the heater it flushed out fine, boy was it brown! to start with. I've fitted the standard valve and will make sure that I regularly use the heater just to circulate liquid and in winter when it goes into hibernation will leave the heater control in the "on" position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbarrett Posted July 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 Found a metal one very similar to the one from the USA see https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16mm-5-8-Heater-Control-Valve-Push-to-Close-Kit-Car-Classic-Car-Taxi-TX1/201955250144?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D52543%26meid%3D5d2acb0adb984f3f9d86c0252a2e85e0%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D352400202677%26itm%3D201955250144&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 Took mine to bits and the rubber diaphragm has split. Have ordered a standard replacement but will look at making something better in the future that I can bolt straight onto the heater matrix. cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 I picked up one of these while on holiday in the United States https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/heater-control-valve/4seasons-everco-heater-control-valve/135681?_requestid=7124741 Fitted easily, just need to fabricate a link for the cable ...... Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 Carbuilder solutions have a number of quite cheap options will need some twiddling https://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/filterSearch?adv=true&cid=0&q=Heater+valve&sid=true&isc=true#/noFilterApplied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 That cable operated brass one looks like it would suit; is 15mm close enough for the heater hoses? Not in a position to check at present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 The heater hoses are 1/2" so it's a bit of a battle to put them over a 15mm pipe. The 12mm fittings are much closer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 If it's available in 12mm it looks like a fairly simple design to adapt for our system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now