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Heater Valve Failure...again!


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#1 johnR

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 05:04 PM

The heater valve I bought in 2015 lasted about 2000 miles, the replacement (MiniSpares)about 250 miles. I know many other people have had similar issues - why can't a reliable part be manufactured? Surely it doesn't require rocket science!

#2 TheFabMini

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 05:12 PM

How often do you open/close the heater valve?
I found mine was constantly open and started leaking so I replaced it with this


https://rover.ebay.c...tm/192636497078

#3 smurfomatic

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 07:39 PM

I have one of these, still gives me a heater valve for the times I need it but seems to be more reliable

 

http://www.gsjones.c...alve-early.html



#4 humph

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 07:47 PM

Was talking to the editor of Practical Classics and another owner, who'd had the same problem last week. The editor was quite rightly urging the owner to send the offending item back to the seller (Minisport) and ask them to replace it and inspect it for the reasons for it failing. He was adamant, quite rightly in my opinion, that this is the only way that we will get sellers and manufacturers to up their game as there are too many shoddy parts about at the moment.


Edited by humph, 06 July 2019 - 07:47 PM.


#5 phillrulz

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 08:29 PM

I have one of these, still gives me a heater valve for the times I need it but seems to be more reliable

 

http://www.gsjones.c...alve-early.html

 

 

Haha, like that.

 

"Whats that honey, you want the heater on." 

*pulls over opens bonnet turns heater tap on*

Few miles down the road

"Bit warm in here "

*pulls over opens bonnet turns tap down a little*



#6 unburntfuelinthemorning

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 08:41 PM

I've had a Minispares one for the last 1000 miles but as I'm rebuilding the engine I'll find another solution as I don't want sudden water loss just because I adjusted the temperature.  These things used to easily last more than ten years from new.



#7 cal844

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 09:15 PM

I fitted the DSN retrosport take off on mine...

#8 smurfomatic

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 09:16 PM

 

I have one of these, still gives me a heater valve for the times I need it but seems to be more reliable

 

http://www.gsjones.c...alve-early.html

 

 

Haha, like that.

 

"Whats that honey, you want the heater on." 

*pulls over opens bonnet turns heater tap on*

Few miles down the road

"Bit warm in here "

*pulls over opens bonnet turns tap down a little*

 

 

Not a problem for a single guy though! 



#9 phillrulz

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Posted 06 July 2019 - 09:20 PM

 

 

I have one of these, still gives me a heater valve for the times I need it but seems to be more reliable

 

http://www.gsjones.c...alve-early.html

 

 

Haha, like that.

 

"Whats that honey, you want the heater on." 

*pulls over opens bonnet turns heater tap on*

Few miles down the road

"Bit warm in here "

*pulls over opens bonnet turns tap down a little*

 

 

Not a problem for a single guy though! 

 

 

Im also in that club, which is why i contemplated ordering it haha. 

 

Only reason i didnt was my minis running warm currently and i need the extra cooling capacity of the heater matrix haha 



#10 Magneto

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Posted 07 July 2019 - 05:38 PM

MiniSpares had a batch of these that failed easily, but it's been a couple of years now and I think the ones they're selling now are made better. Mine hasn't failed in a couple of years and about 10K miles.



#11 Boycie

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Posted 07 July 2019 - 08:40 PM

I'm about to tread this path.

Both of my road legal Minis have weeping heater valves.  One is 43yrs old, the other a mere 36yrs!  However, it's just a weep.  I'm now worried that replacing them with new super-quality Chinesium parts will see me doing the job every 12 months...

I would ditch the valve but like to have 'some' control over the heat in the car as neither of my vehicles have fresh air vents.  Are the later in-hose valves any better?



#12 unburntfuelinthemorning

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Posted 08 July 2019 - 06:30 AM

Why use heater valves sold for Minis as they seem of dubious quality these days.

 

Doesn't mean doing without though.  I'm going to either use one from here https://www.carbuild...=true&orderBy=0

or use one off of a modern car as these rarely go wrong.



#13 johnR

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Posted 08 July 2019 - 08:50 AM

I have a confession to make - having looked through the paperwork for the invoices for the two valves to give the supplier a hard time I find that both were bought from MiniSport. Sorry MiniSpares! - I'm sure yours will be better!






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