Heater Control Valve- HELP!

[LPTJoe]

Predictably the heater control valve has now started leaking on my '96 940, it doesn't have aircon and as we all know the part (9447892) is now discontinued and unavailable even from aftermarket suppliers.

As far as I know my options are...

POPTION 1: Mk1 Golf heater valve I've seen some talk of these being adaptable to work but after much searching all I can find is this post that relates to a 240, what's more it looks like the car has aircon as the valve lives in the passenger side under the glovebox...https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=180331

OPTION 2: Household plumbing supplies Any thoughts on this?

OPTION 3: Second hand Not really an option. If mines leaking on one of the very latest cars with only 88k then any second hand units won't be far behind, also if they're not broken already they almost certainly will be as part of the process of taking them off.

As usual, any feedback, ideas, and above all else genuine first hand experience or solutions would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance chaps.

[bob12]

I have not yet had to do this, but a guy on another Forum has sent me these detail of what he did:

Quote

Golf Mk1 Heater Valve

Hi Bob - It was a little fiddly but nothing too hard. Wish I'd of took photos now but just got on with it lol

The mk1 golf heater valves are available on ebay. It was just under £6. I got a pack of 2 16mm hose joiners for about £3 again off eBay.
............
You could cut and 're use the original volvo hose off the old valve but I found it very stiff. I had some heater hoses floating about with a nice 90 degree bend in so used that. You need on shirt straight piece to connect to heater matrix and a short elbow for the other end to connect to joiner through the bulkhead. Then original pipe connects back on engine bay side. You may need someone on the inside to hold it whilst you connect this hose.
............

Only thing you need to do is shorten the inlet and outlet on the new golf valve by about 10mm each.
I also inserted some thin metal tubing inside the inlet and outlet after cutting to strengthen so the hise clips don't crush them when tight. The cable and cable clip from the volvo valve fit straight on. Set the cable and away you go.
...............

I also put some sealer around where the joiner tube goes through the bulkhead

I may of made it sound long but honestly it's pretty easy and works a treat.

Unquote

Trust this is of some use to you.

Cheers - Bob.

[LPTJoe]

Thanks, was that a RHD car without Aircon?

[bob12]

Originally Posted by LPTJoe

Thanks, was that a RHD car without Aircon?

Yes ... the only ones you can't get!

[bob12]

Here's a valve not the Golf Mk 1 one/connectors, and something some Australians say might work. Bob

[LPTJoe]

Right, thanks for the input this far. I'm going to attempt to cobble something together, I'm lead to believe the pipework is 16mm ID, so far I've ordered...

Two different valves to try...

Mk1 Golf Valve:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-M...53.m2749.l2649

'Kit Car' Generic Valve:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16mm-5-8-...53.m2749.l2649

1 Meter of 16MM Radiator Hose:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-8-Car-H...53.m2749.l2649

16mm Straight Connector Pipes and Elbows:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Two-16mm-...53.m2749.l2649

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vans-Jeep...53.m2749.l2649

Total spend is a reasonable £40 and I can return whatever I don't use. I shall endeavour to put together a decent 'how to' with pictures for the board (Assuming I'm successful) as it seems to be something we're clearly lacking.

[griston64]

Excellent work !

Looking forward to seeing the results

[bob12]

Great stuff Joe.

Please, please, take some pics and post together with a synopsis of how you faired as it would be worth a separate sticky as a fix for the problem created by the non-existence of a replacement part.

Best of luck, at least you have something to go on - Bob.

[LPTJoe]

Interestingly (And by interesting what I really mean is frustrating) I had a look at the heater valve in situ today and it seems to have two cables going to it, I wasn't ready for this...

Both the Mk1 Golf valve and the kit car valve I've bought to improvise as an alternative only have a fitting for one cable! I understand that one of the cables operates the valve on and off, like a tap, but haven't got a clue what the other cable does or what effect not having something to connect it to on either of the alternative valves I've bought will have.

Not really sure where to go from here I'm afraid

As always, any help/suggestions would be appreciated as I'm stumped.

[bob12]

Oh ... SH1T .... but surely only 1 wire operates the valve and the other goes to the directional flap's which can't be associated with the on/off sliding valve?

Also just realised you have a '96 940 without a/c, and I was thinking 740 without a/c. assuming they were the same. I know the dash controls look different, but have no info on what lies behind!

Need some input from an equivalent 940 owner or someone with parts data.

Bob.