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[Tigers] MkIA Heater Valve

To: tigers@autox.team.net
Subject: [Tigers] MkIA Heater Valve
From: Tod Brown <todbrown@roadrunner.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:15:10 -0500
Hello All:

A year ago last summer, as I was checking over the Tiger for the 
upcoming United in Maine, I noticed that my heater valve was starting to 
leak a bit, so I ordered a new one from Rick and installed it.  In short 
order it died and was replaced by a second one from Rick.  On the way 
home from the United, it died also.  Rick replaced that one as well and 
I thought everything was fine.  The Tiger went into hibernation for the 
winter and I have not driven it much this past summer.  On Columbus Day 
weekend, I had it out and did some driving around with some other 
members of TE/AE.  The other day, it being a nice day, I started the 
Tiger up once more to clean it up and put it away for the winter.  As 
soon as I started it, I smelled anti-freeze and, when I opened the 
bonnet, I discovered that the heater valve had packed it in once again.  
This time, when I called Rick, I was told that this last batch of heater 
valves has had something near a 100% failure rate and that he did not 
have any more of them.

As a consequence of my experience, I would strongly suggest that anyone 
who has recently replaced their heater valve with one from Rick take a 
careful look at it.  As to what to replace it with, I am looking for a 
solution, so, if anyone has a suggestion, I would like to hear it.  I 
have tried to do some research and have seen it reported that the same 
valve is found on the Big Healey or the MGC, but I have not gotten 
confirmation of that.  I also found reports from a while back that the 
heater valve from a 78/79 Honda Civic can be used.  These things fail on 
a pretty regular basis, so I think we need to find an alternative or a 
reliable source of supply.  In the meantime, I have my valve out of the 
car and on its way back to Rick, again.  The heater core is bypassed, 
but that is just another reason to not drive the Tiger in the winter in 
Maine, ;>)

Cheers,

Tod
B382002384LRXFE
TAC #864
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