Coolant leak

[Macc]

Lots of steam from under the bonnet when I parked up today, popped it and coolant is running out of whatever that is on the picture, only when the engine is running or the coolant cap is off, can someone tell me what it is and if its something that can be fixed or not?

[bengould]

That is the heater control valve. Controls the flow of water to the heater matrix inside the car.

£8.95 from heritage.

Ben.

[mark1gls]

There should be a metal bar in the middle, looks like yours have disappeared and that's why coolant is coming out, it's a valve which stops hot water going to the heater when the the controls are on cold and let's the hot water flow when it's on hot.
Straight forward to replace as long as you can get the rubber hose off, just be careful with the metal clip which holds the cable on, they can spring off and be lost for ever, the new one will not come with one. Make sure the heater control is on full hot and the valve inside is fully open then once fitted make sure the cable moves all the way over to the cold setting.
You will see what I mean when fitting it.

Looks like this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-C ... 2ebcb2f65c

[Macc]

Cheers guys! Ordered one from that link but nearly raided my lads meccano set for a bar like that, then thought better about it! Anyway, off the road (again!) until that arrives!

[Macc]

Fitted and working!! Scratch that off as my first ever dabble in mechanics! Ive a feeling theres going to be much more to come! Good feeling getting it on, even though its a small job by anyones standard!

[bengould]

Great news.
You've got to start somewhere. And a small job to one person is a massive achievement to the next.
My first job many years ago was disks and pads on a mk2 fiesta, took me ages. Now I don't think of an engine change as a particularly big job.

Ben.

[Macc]

Thanks Ben! Forgot to add that straight after fitting I flushed the whole system through, plenty of rusty water came out as previous owner had not used any antifreeze at all, kept going till water was clean, reconnected everything and filled it 50/50 of antifreeze and water and went for a spin (just to warm things up a bit you understand, not because I really wanted to at all! ) Topped it up after coming back and all seems good! Now to tackle all the other issues! Some of which I think i'll leave to a seasoned mechanic for now though!

And a big thanks to mark1gls for fitting advice! I was overly careful with that clip!!!

[mark1gls]

Glad its now sorted and working, we are always here to help