The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Yesterday was not the best day to find the heater water valve was stuck on HOT. ( 88 deg F in the South) . The lever works through half its travel and then goes springy at about the half way point. I see how the mechanism works from the diagram in the workshop manual and I can actually see the valve and the operating rod and it is bending back on itself without operating the valve. I've tried WD40 and tapping it with a long rod, but it is still stuck.
Now the manual says to take out the dash/ heater unit / etc; which is a lot of effort. Can it be done by just taking out the parcel shelf ? I also see a new water valve is £43 !
Since this is a very common Smiths heater unit is there a cheaper part ?
Thanks ,
Tony.

The valve in one of my cars started to leak and I obtained a repair kit and sorted the problem without taking the dash out but it was not easy without taking the dash out. I had to have a number of attempts before I got it back together without any leaks. I think the kit came from Fitchett's and I was glad that I had the complete kit as I had to wreck various bits to get them out. Not an easy job.

Hi Richard, Thanks very much for that. I had a bit of luck today. I tried another dose of WD40 and a bit more gentle persuasion and it freed off ! So I've now added some of the red-rubber brake grease on the exposed length of the spindle and it now works like new !
That's saved me a lot of fiddling.
Cheers for now,
Tony.