Fixing your Heater Valve on a Budget!

Heater valves on Saab 99s are prone to breaking after years of use. This is true for any old car too. They can get stuck open, leading to hot air being blown into the cabin, which on hot days is not pleasant. New valves are expensive and uncommon to find, but fortunately, there is a very cheap and easy to fix this! This will cost you no less than $15.

What you'll need:

• 3/4" male to male ball valve
• 10mm socket

1. Now, locate the beige backflow preventer that connects to the coolant line from the water pump to the heater core. 

2. Use a 10mm socket to undo the hose clamps, and undo the hose clamp closest to the heater core and valve. 

3. Remove hose off the heater core pipe and the backflow preventer carefully, without damaging the hoses. 

4. Install the 3/4" ball valve in place of the backflow preventer, and reconnect the hoses and clamp them down. Tighten them snug, but don't over tighten! Make sure there is no coolant leaking either!

5. Switch the valve to "off" then turn your car on and give your car a few minutes to cycle the existing coolant in the heater core out. 

You have officially blocked off your heater core and busted valve on a budget! When you're completed, your repair should look like the photo below. In my hand is the backflow preventer.