Overheating Just a couple of things I figured out the hard way. First of all, on overheating: If the heater is on when the engine is running hot, and the condition of the heater valve is at all questionable, it is not advisable to turn off the valve. As long as the heater core is included in the coolant's flow, the car will run cooler, but if there is hot coolant in the heater core, and the valve is shut off, the coolant in the heater core will contract, while the coolant in the radiator expands. This can cause the heater valve to leak onto the distributor, shutting down the engine. The solution is to replace the valve, or install a distributor waterproofing kit, both of which are preferable to being towed home on the nicest day of the summer.
Steve Close
San Francisco, CA
Just a couple of things I figured out the hard way. First of all, on overheating: If the heater is on when the engine is running hot, and the condition of the heater valve is at all questionable, it is not advisable to turn off the valve. As long as the heater core is included in the coolant's flow, the car will run cooler, but if there is hot coolant in the heater core, and the valve is shut off, the coolant in the heater core will contract, while the coolant in the radiator expands. This can cause the heater valve to leak onto the distributor, shutting down the engine. The solution is to replace the valve, or install a distributor waterproofing kit, both of which are preferable to being towed home on the nicest day of the summer.
Steve Close
San Francisco, CA
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