So anyone ever found one that doesn't leak? I'm going to replace my thermostat this weekend while it's warm-ish and I know my valve leaks at the lever. I've always heard it's a terrible design and they always leak. Just wondering if anyone ever found a fix or one from another vehicle that doesn't leak.

4 feet of 5/8 hose and 4 feet of 11/16 or 3/4 hose 4 clamps and pipe right to heater core works fine with ut it did minelast month no probs

Bypassing it as freegdr mentions is really the only option if you want to take it out of the loop.

The heater control valve is not very hardy, under-designed from the factory.

Know that once it starts to leak and when the plastic gets brittle, it can disintegrate at any time. Either replace it or bypass it before this happens and you have an overheat and bigger fish to fry!