Heating System tube/line? I don't know... it ain't connected to anything...

[dmcerm]

Ok, so the odd question I have, using this picture of a D engine that is NOT mine is... what is the little black tube/line coming out of the driver's side of the engine bay. Looking at the photo it's on the left hand side.
On my car this tube/line is NOT connected to anything and I have no idea what it's to or what it does or what it's supposed to do.
At the DMA Spring Social this Spring, during Ken K's tech inspection he suggested it was to the hot water valve and that I should get a new valve (since he said it was frozen open, that's a whole other post) and that I need to hook up that tube/line to it.
Is he correct? Is that tube/line supposed to go to the hot water valve? Or, help me out, what is it to and how do I fix this mystery.

Thanks a lot... I may take a photo of my actual engine bay to better illustrate my question.

Thanks.

[dmcerm]

As you can see from my actual engine bay photo, the looped wire I am showing is the tube/hose I am questioning.
You can clearly see that mine is not attached to anything and I'd like someone to tell me where it goes and what it does, so I can fix it.

Thanks a lot!

[deloumis]

As you can see from my actual engine bay photo, the looped wire I am showing is the tube/hose I am questioning.
You can clearly see that mine is not attached to anything and I'd like someone to tell me where it goes and what it does, so I can fix it.

Thanks a lot!

Behind your engine around the middle I believe a little more towards the passenger side you will see the heater valve (should be there) its a valve with 2 hoses coming out. There is a vacuum connection on it, that's where it should be.

[dmcerm]

Should this tube/hose have some sort of connector on it to connect to the hot water valve?
I don't suppose anyone would be able to get me a photo of where this is supposed to hook up on the hot water valve?
If not it's ok, I'll get to it then, as we all know, there isn't a lot of room to work with back there and if I knew right where to attach it, it would make this go a lot faster and probably a lot less frustrating.

Thanks a lot for the info!

[WelmoedJ]

That's a vac line and it should be connected to the heater system IIRC

[dmcerm]

Is there some connector I need to secure the pipe? Not really sure where it goes and it appears the end of the tube is plugged, I will try to clean it out and put it on the valve... Who knows, maybe this will help the valve operate correctly... Open and shut accordingly. Ken thought It was seized open, allowing hot air into the cabin at all times, so maybe it'll work and I won't have to get a new one right away.
Thanks!



That's a vac line and it should be connected to the heater system IIRC

[82DMC12]

There is just a short length maybe one inch of vacuum hose on the end of the plastic pipe that connects to the heater valve nipple. Nothing fancy.

[Bitsyncmaster]

You need a real small ID hose to stay on the heater valve unit. I replaced the whole hard line with silicone hose.

[dmcerm]

Ok thanks, ill just start digging around to see what I need.
Thanks. Would any of this be shown in the workshop manual?

[Rich]

Ok thanks, ill just start digging around to see what I need.
Thanks. Would any of this be shown in the workshop manual?

No, not shown in the WS manual. How's this?
11012

In the lower photo the heater control valve is to right and below the vacuum dashpot or vacuum motor that activates it. The hose runs the vacuum motor.

The whole assembly is #2 in this system diagram: http://store.delorean.com/c-363-7-1-3-heating-system.aspx

[dmcerm]

Absolutely wonderful!
Thanks! Those pics are just what the doctor ordered. I certainly appreciate your help very much.
I'll work on clearing the plug from the piping and then try to secure the piping on the valve.

Next probably too difficult a question: So, what am I missing or what is NOT happening by me not having this tube connected properly.
One of the owners at the DMA's SPring Social mentioned that it really wouldn't hurt anything not being conected but that it could be making my A/C a tad bit warmer than it could be, if that vacuum tube is not hooked up to allow or make the valve close to shut off all the hot air.
So it seems like nothing major is happening but what, if anything should I look for to happen or not to happen when I connect this hose... how can I tell if everything is running correctly once it's hooked back up?
Would it be easier to buy a new valve and go from there?
Ken K. mentioned that he could tell it was stuck open (i'm assuming that meant hot air is still getting into the car), like it was bad or defective (which is fine if it is) but might it be the case that if I reattach this tube to the vaccum system properly, it could work correctly and open and shut normally?

Ok, thanks again for the pics and for any additional help you may be. I certainly appreciate the good folks on DMCTalk!

Mark


No, not shown in the WS manual. How's this?
11012

In the lower photo the heater control valve is to right and below the vacuum dashpot or vacuum motor that activates it. The hose runs the vacuum motor.

The whole assembly is #2 in this system diagram: http://store.delorean.com/c-363-7-1-3-heating-system.aspx

[dmcerm]

Ok, so aside from my previous questions in my last post about operation and what might or might not be happening with this line unhooked, after I just went out to the car to try to attach to piping to the valve... I found that I need part number 5 on the parts list link below. I need one of the connectors to plug the piping into.
Now the next question I have is... should I order a new heater valve while I'm ordering one of those connectors?
I hate to fix something that isn't broken and who knows how major and tedious putting in a new valve would be given its less than ideal location.

Might I be able to get a vacuum piping connector at a neighborhood parts store?

How would I know if my valve is bad?

http://store.delorean.com/c-365-7-3-0-electricalmechanical-controls.aspx

Ok, I'm done for tonight. Thanks a lot for everyone's input!

[dmcerm]

82DMC12,

Now this quote about the 'vacuum hose' a.k.a. the number 5 part/connector from the DMC parts diagram that connects the piping to the valve itself... yes, it's all begining to make sense now... once I had the pictures and saw the parts diagram, it's all very clear now.
Thanks!


There is just a short length maybe one inch of vacuum hose on the end of the plastic pipe that connects to the heater valve nipple. Nothing fancy.

[deloumis]

Ok, so aside from my previous questions in my last post about operation and what might or might not be happening with this line unhooked, after I just went out to the car to try to attach to piping to the valve... I found that I need part number 5 on the parts list link below. I need one of the connectors to plug the piping into.
Now the next question I have is... should I order a new heater valve while I'm ordering one of those connectors?
I hate to fix something that isn't broken and who knows how major and tedious putting in a new valve would be given its less than ideal location.

Might I be able to get a vacuum piping connector at a neighborhood parts store?

How would I know if my valve is bad?

http://store.delorean.com/c-365-7-3-0-electricalmechanical-controls.aspx

Ok, I'm done for tonight. Thanks a lot for everyone's input!

The valve has a small arm, if I'm not mistaking you should be able to move the arm by hand which would open and close the valve. If its stuck you can remove and try to free it or replace it. If it moves its likely still good.

[dmcerm]

Ok, trying to move it... that might explain why Ken K. said it was stuck open, he tried to move it I'm sure and couldn't... again, more and more is making sense now.
Well, I may try some PB Blaster to get it move if it's seized up and see if that gets it, then if not, I'll spend the $20 and get a new one.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[jawn101]

Ok, trying to move it... that might explain why Ken K. said it was stuck open, he tried to move it I'm sure and couldn't... again, more and more is making sense now.
Well, I may try some PB Blaster to get it move if it's seized up and see if that gets it, then if not, I'll spend the $20 and get a new one.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Your A/C will certainly thank you, the 'max' position will run a lot cooler for you if that valve is operable.

[David T]

If the heater valve does not move easily or has any stains from leaking it should be replaced. They do not fix well. Replace all of the cooling system hoses connected to it too.
David Teitelbaum

[dmcerm]

jawn101 and David T,

Thanks for the tips. I certainly can use all the help I can get with having the A/C blow as cold as possible. My A/C runs cold as it is, but if this valve is not working properly, then I'm sure it'll be a bit cooler after I replace this.

And replacing the hoses that connect to the valve is a good tip too.

[dmcerm]

David,

Thanks... i will definitely be getting a new valve and some new hoses. I"ll consult the parts guide to get started.
Thanks again! Is this a mojor operation or can the valve be change in an hour or two?

Mark



If the heater valve does not move easily or has any stains from leaking it should be replaced. They do not fix well. Replace all of the cooling system hoses connected to it too.
David Teitelbaum