Front Heater Valve

Product:171-819-809E
Works With:1983-1991
Manufacturer:Quality Aftermarket
12 Reviews
$8.34 - $103.44

Proposition 65: This product may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Not all heater valves are created equal! There are several, inexpensive heater valves on the market that look identical on the outside, but all have their problems including, but not limited to:

• Stiff lever—can cause the control cable to buckle
• Unreliable shut-off—can’t get the heat to stop completely
• Leaking - yes, sometimes the cheap model will be a leaker. Not fun!

Please note that there is no warranty on these super low-cost heater valves. It might work fine, it might not. If you don’t want to chance it, we offer a really, really nice, German-made valve that is guaranteed to work! 


TWO OPTIONS AVAILABLE:

Regular: This aftermarket option is inexpensive—may or may not work, no guarantees except that it is CHEAP!

Deluxe: The German version is virtually bulletproof. While it's not the original VW valve, it is a very high-quality offering from Germany. This version features a lifetime warranty—if it ever fails, we will replace it at no charge (labor costs not included).

Be sure to click on 'Important Install Note' tab!

Install note: If you are taking your dash apart, there are many other items you'll want to replace at the same time, namely the Front Heater Core, the Heater Cable, the Heater Core Hoses, the Dash Fan Resistor, and the Heater Box Foam Reseal Kit. Also, don't forget new Heater Box Clips!

Installation Note: Due to the design of this valve, it is possible to install it so the lever hits the body, and thus not allowing it to fully shut off. Take extra care to position it so it has full articulation with no interference by adding a nylon “zip-tie” between the heater hoses and the cooling fan motor to keep the level clear of the body.

Note: The Deluxe valve includes hardware not applicable for Vanagon and can be discarded.

Also...it is much easier to replace and properly adjust a heater valve (so it fully closes) if the cable is removed at the same time. Additionally, the heater cable system on a Vanagon requires the cable to PUSH the lever on the valve to for it to shut OFF. Older cables develop internal friction and typically buckle due to that friction plus the load on it by the valve lever. For these reasons, it is highly recommended that a new
heater cable is also be used whenever you are replacing the heater valve. Do it right, cry once!