Hey Fellas,

I have replaced the heater control valve on my 94 XJ 5 times in the last 3 years. Please tell me how to remedy this issue, as this part is cheaply made.
Should I put silicone around the outer seals?

Thanks.

 

You have 2 options.

The first option is get rid of the thing entirely--just run hose straight from the engine to the heater core and back to the pump inlet. You will have "heat" in the dashboard all year round but if you keep the temperature control on cold setting then the heater core will be bypassed and it won't shed much. This is what most people do.

Second option is replace it with a metal unit. The 87-90 models with a 4-cyl engine have a similar valve that is all metal (4-cyl not the 6-cyl), and it should be a direct replacement, although I have not done it personally.

 

I have a 94, and I just put 98 heater hoses on it. I plugged the vacuum line. The later models don't have that valve.

 

I like option 2, guess I'll be shopping at the junk yard when it warms up.

 

Thanks fellas!

 

I think you already got some good advice on this topic:

Originally Posted by WomanNeedsJeepExpertise
So, I just changed my.......heater control valve-(for the 4th time in 3 years!).....
Next time just eliminate it and plug the vacuum tube. Lots of folks have eliminated the HCV and it's problems......the Factory eliminated it on '97 up XJs.

 

you can still buy them new

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,6860

 

$90 at Rock Auto.

$6 at the local junk yard.

But that's IF she can find an 87-90 4 cylinder XJ in the junk yard, which may be a tall order. If it were me, I would just delete the stupid thing and be done with it. It isn't needed, and as has been mentioned, the later models don't even have it. The replacement hoses are easy to find. That part may not be.

Seriously OP, just get rid of the problem altogether. It'll take you five minutes.

 

I *just* pulled my leaking one off and replaced with 3 feet of 5/8 and 3 feet of 3/4 hose from the parts place. I plugged and taped the vacuum line and tucked it away next to the fender.

Shabam. Will never leak or fail again.

 

I finally deleted mine on my '87 after having a couple of plastic ones blow. I had actually bought the metal valve from O'Reilly's, but sent it back before installation. The metal piece appeared well built, though.

My '92 still has one, but it is a different configuration than the Renix era.

 

Another thread of biblical proportions!

 

Her threads are always fun, and I mean that with no disrespect whatsoever. How many times has she been told not to try something because she'll be in over her head, then she does it anyway and proves everyone wrong?

We have another poster here who seems to turn everything into a disaster. But not WNJE. She usually turns them into success. I'll miss these threads if she ever gets rid of her Jeep.

 

'We have another poster here who seems to turn everything into a disaster'...says he.

Bimmer...says I.

 

I wasn't going to name names. But holy crap that guy is a disaster.

I think he makes for a good contrast.

 

Hey, WNJE, haven't you posted threads about this very same topic a year or two ago?