98' Explorer Heater Control Valve Leaking
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Sacramento
98' Explorer Heater Control Valve Leaking
My mechanic told me my heater control valve is leaking on my '98 Ford Explorer Sport. It is 2WD, 2 Door, 4.0L V-6. The Haynes Manual does not show a description or much at all of the valve. Basically, I am hoping to fix it myself but cannot locate it. Can someone reply with an area to look for under the hood? For example..."Front-right under the battery." Anything will help so I can get in there and see if I can fix it. Also, if anybody has fixed this before, any advice?
Thanks to everybody in advance.
Thanks to everybody in advance.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Find the heater hoses that go into the firewall on the right hand side of the engine compartment. Should be attached to one of them. It'll also have a vacuum line attached to it. Never looked at a vehicle exactly like yours, but that is the usual setup. Good luck.
And welcome to FTE!
And welcome to FTE!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Roanoke
I have a '96 Explorer with a 4 liter and the heater control valve is black ABS plastic 3 way valve in the heater hose. Looking at the engine it is on the left side about 3/4's of the way back, just over the exhaust manifold. I think it cost about $12.00 at the Ford dealership and took 15 minutes to change. Hope this helps.
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I think I am having the same leak.....does this valve look like a little "Top Hat"....with a small diameter rod coming out the bottom? I find if the heat is on, the rod goes into the "plunger", and, in my case, the leak stops, and when the heat is off, the rod pulls out, and the leak starts......same thing?
96 exp, 4x4, 4.0ltr
96 exp, 4x4, 4.0ltr
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From: Sacramento
I found it just as you said 3/4 of the way back on left side although 12 bucks is not enough...Kragen charged me 32. So it foesn't look complex to put the new one on, just some clamps and what not. But the leak you described looked the same and is small but could develop into something major I was told. Anyhow, like I said before, FORD wanted 182 bucks to fix that, where it appears that it can be done for 32 in 1/2 hour. Thanks for all your guys' help, I'll post to let you all know how it went when I fix it in the next couple of days.
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I'm still wondering what it looks like.....need picture. I'm gonna look for a picture. I have a Chilton book at home and can't find it in there anywhere.
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From: Sacramento
Wtppower:
The following link shows what it almost exactly looks like except it is missing one extra hose extension and doesn't show where it would be on your vehicle but at least you would know what to look for...So it shows two hose hook-ups, there should be three or four coming off but the hat-like thing looks almost exactly right-on....
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...UTF-8%26sa%3DN
The following link shows what it almost exactly looks like except it is missing one extra hose extension and doesn't show where it would be on your vehicle but at least you would know what to look for...So it shows two hose hook-ups, there should be three or four coming off but the hat-like thing looks almost exactly right-on....
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...UTF-8%26sa%3DN
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wtpower, call it a top hat or what ever, you've found the water control valve. That little rod is actuated by a vacuum motor that turns the water off when you select a/c and on when you select heat.
You may know this already, but make sure the engine is cold when you change the valve. Hot coolant causes nasty burns and terrible language.
You may know this already, but make sure the engine is cold when you change the valve. Hot coolant causes nasty burns and terrible language.
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pics
Just to be sure, I have taken a few pics, but apparently I cannot post attachments. as seen below.....now what....
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