heater control valve dilema

[jhoch]

Hi

I have a 98 explorer sport, and in the 3 years that i have owned it, I have replaced the Heater control valve 4 times due to various anti-freeze leaks on the part.

Is this normal ? or is Advanced Autoparts selling me junk? or is there a under lying issue to all this?

thanks for your input...

 

[410Fortune]

have you ever replaced the hoses? clamps?
The valve itself is not too prone to leaks unless the plastic housing cracks. Is yours cracking?

I have had the same one installed in my BII for any years, no issues.
As far as I know the one in my 96 truck is OEM and has 155K miles on it, no leaks. Hoses and clamps however are new.

4 is too many in 3 years.

 

[jhoch]

I replaced the hose clamps, the ford stock clamps were a PITA

the hoses are fine and do not leak.

the leak comes from the part itself, usually around the screw, and the last time was from the vaccuum actuator.

 

[config]

I just replaced the original one after 136K miles. Let's see if goes another 136K miles on it.

 

[config]

Well, the piece I replaced 3 months ago is already leaking! Should I just purchase the part from the Motocraft since the one I got from the local parts store obviously is a POS?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

If aftermarket parts are failing, OEM seems to be the way to go.

 

[ap81590]

Mine was leaking from the screw too, I just got another one like 2 weeks ago from O'Reily's, man I hope it lasts longer than a few months!!