Car Spewing Coolant

[smdavis]

As I was driving home this morning I noticed a little bit of white smoke behind me. I know that usually means coolant leaking somewhere. I pull in the drive and smoke starts coming up from under the hood. I pop the hood and I found coolant coming out the bottom of this thing the arrow is pointing to in the picture. I can't find it anywhere in the book as to what the thing is. It's attached to the hoses going to and from the heater core. Anybody know what this thing does?

 

[Blee1099]

Heater control valve.. Common part available at any parts store, about $10 in cost if not less.

 

[smdavis]

These things just go bad? (like everything else I guess) Would there be some reason this thing went south because I just changed the thermostat the other day. I never overheated.

 

[Blee1099]

These things just go bad? (like everything else I guess) Would there be some reason this thing went south because I just changed the thermostat the other day. I never overheated.

Yup they can.. Its very easy to swap shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes..

 

[smdavis]

It doesn't look like that thing has EVER been changed. Just tried getting the hoses off but need another vehicle to run to the parts store. Thanks for your help.