No, the O ring that leaks is burried in there, not replacable as far as I can tell. I pulled so hard on the part that turns one time I broke it off, but I still couldn't get in there. As you have found out, it is arguably the worst job on the car. And between E12s, 21s and 24s I've done about a half a dozen. It doesn't get any easier with practice, you just know you will get there eventually.
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
let me guess... my car likes to steam up the windows after i get done driving. nothing crazy, can`t smell coolant or anything. would this be a symptom that leads to me having all this fun? is it something that is a sooner than later project also?
Steaming up windows would be a leaky heater core, not the heater valve, it just drips down onto the carpet. But the lack of an anti freeze odor is a good thing, believe me a very good thing. You would be looking at pulling the whole heater assembly, not just the valve, and it's only accessable after pulling the A/C. And the console. The dash can stay though.
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
Mike W. wrote:Steaming up windows would be a leaky heater core, not the heater valve, it just drips down onto the carpet. But the lack of an anti freeze odor is a good thing, believe me a very good thing. You would be looking at pulling the whole heater assembly, not just the valve, and it's only accessable after pulling the A/C. And the console. The dash can stay though.
well thats good i guess. i forgot to mention that i haven`t had to add any coolant either. so it must be a small leak at this point.
Mike W. wrote:Steaming up windows would be a leaky heater core, not the heater valve, it just drips down onto the carpet. But the lack of an anti freeze odor is a good thing, believe me a very good thing. You would be looking at pulling the whole heater assembly, not just the valve, and it's only accessable after pulling the A/C. And the console. The dash can stay though.
well thats good i guess. i forgot to mention that i haven`t had to add any coolant either. so it must be a small leak at this point.
Just take a look at the valve. If it is leaking, you likely will see a little drip hanging from it. The valve is directly above the gas pedal. Also, check the carpet and padding around the gas pedal. Try to get your finger around the gas pedal and into the padding below....you should feel the moisture if there is any. If there is....lift the carpet and get it all dried up.
If the valve is leaking, you can disconnect the coolant hoses in the engine compartment and hook them to an elbow (buy) to loop them back into the engine. I did this on my car until I replace the valve.
Mike W. wrote:Steaming up windows would be a leaky heater core, not the heater valve, it just drips down onto the carpet. But the lack of an anti freeze odor is a good thing, believe me a very good thing. You would be looking at pulling the whole heater assembly, not just the valve, and it's only accessable after pulling the A/C. And the console. The dash can stay though.
well thats good i guess. i forgot to mention that i haven`t had to add any coolant either. so it must be a small leak at this point.
Just take a look at the valve. If it is leaking, you likely will see a little drip hanging from it. The valve is directly above the gas pedal. Also, check the carpet and padding around the gas pedal. Try to get your finger around the gas pedal and into the padding below....you should feel the moisture if there is any. If there is....lift the carpet and get it all dried up.
If the valve is leaking, you can disconnect the coolant hoses in the engine compartment and hook them to an elbow (buy) to loop them back into the engine. I did this on my car until I replace the valve.
