Does anybody know the name of this part?

[JohnAerostarXLT]

It's some sort of heater valve that the heater core hoses run through. Anyway, it broke on me and caused the van to overheat, hopefully no major damage occured.

Here is a picture:

 

[loosenut349]

That is the temp. control valve for the heater. Mine broke also and puked coolant all over the ground. it is about a $25.00 part. a little tough to change because there is not very much room, just be careful not to break the plastic vacuum line that goes to it.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Thanks man, found it just now at AutoZone for $17.99. On my way to get it.

 

[Adam_tinkerer]

Many of the parts store replacements are 'universal', and unfortunately have the vacuum can facing the wrong way to fit properly. Some of them can be reversed, others not. There are a couple threads about it, I found mine through a link to ebay. A member picked up a bunch of correct replacements and sells them there. I ended up cutting a small square out of the inner fender to get access to it! The hose clamps are often installed on the valve first at the factory, so there's no way to conventionally get to them! I'm not sure how long these replacement valves last either. I have a coolant leak somewhere, despite the fact I changed ALL the hoses when I replaced that valve! -Adam

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Maybe it's worse on the 4.0L, because it doesn't seem to be THAT bad on my van (3.0L). The new valve seems to be shaped exactly like the old one, but there is evidence someone has replaced before this part before (non-factory hose clamps).

I guess I'll figure it out tomorrow when I go to change it.

 

[loosenut349]

It is tighter with the 4.0 engine because the a/c accumulator is right in the way. I also had to move the EDIS module so i did not get any coolant on it. Adam, you might want to take the little doghouse cover off and check the rear of the engine, mine had a coolant leak between the intake manifold and the head on the passenger side rear.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335207. The part on EBay is an exact fit (or close to it), and cost less than the aftermarket Autozone part.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Replacing the valve wasnt that hard, but I broke a hose fitting in the process. Now I've got to go try to find a match or close to it at the parts house.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Here is the old valve next to the new one.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

... I broke a hose fitting in the process. Now I've got to go try to find a match or close to it at the parts house.

I was able to find a hose for less than $5 at AutoZone, and after a few adjustments, I have no further leaks and everything (heater, temp, etc) is back to normal!

 

[Jose A.]

I had to return two of the Autozone Heater Valves for my 4.0. they both leaked through the plastic vacuum tank diaphragm.

Adam posted a link to the valves on eBay which have a metal vacuum tank and that one did not leak.