Repalced the heater core, thermostat (dropped a 180* in there anyway) and still had no heat, so I deceided that it was the Heater control valve like I first thought, but could NOT get it out.

On Sunday, the valve started leaking, so I figured I had to get it out, in the middle of trying to get it out, it broke in half, so I was faced with just the 1 1/16 bolt, but I couldn't budge it at all with a socket. So I called my mech to make sure it was OK to use an impact gun on it, and he said it was OK just take it easy.

I live in an apartment complex and we are not allow to do work on the car in the parking lot, but the car was pretty much dead in the water because starting it would have sent coolant all over the place. So I opened up the window, took out the screen, in the basement and ran the cord outside (my gun is electric) ran outside and started with the impact. Started off going the wrong way Just trying to get it done ASAP. So I turn it the right way and it's still not moving, then it moves a hair, and stops again. Then it starts to move a little bit more and more and then it spins loose and pops right out. Quick run back to the building, unplug the gun from the extention cord, and throw it in the bsement. Then put everything back (screen, blinds, etc)

Got the new valve in. A bit of a challenge because wires and the tranny filler tube was in the way, but worked around them.

Started the car, and let it idle. Heat started coming up!!!

Anyway the old valve broke because it was held together by RTV!! and the RTV was sucked down into the valve base. Thank God it didn't get futher down!

 

Good work!!
Heat is good at this time o' year!