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This part (not sure what its name is) leaks coolant when I attempt to adjust the heater/AC controls. It looks like it leaks from the bottom hole on it and I am unsure if this part can be fixed or if I need to find a replacement.

Here is a link to the picture I took of the part:

http://i.imgur.com/2QOx0fl.jpg

Closer up:

http://i.imgur.com/Xwdt1cI.jpg

Do you have a factory Chassis Service Manual? It will help you greatly to buy one on ebay if you don't already own one.

That thing is a water valve. It's only on factory a/c cars.

I think directs hot water to the heater plenum or something - not sure exactly what it does but it seems to be vacuum operated. (my car is non a/c and doesn't have one) My guess is that the diaphragm has a hole in it or the valve inside it has a hole. Either way, it looks simple enough to bypass while you have it removed for repair.

I doubt you'll be able to buy a new one at the local Auto Zone but maybe one of the NOS suppliers has one if you're willing to part with an arm and a leg.

http://www.oldsobsolete.com/about-us/

They have one for a 1968 Olds that looks pretty close and several for Buicks and Ponchos that may also work: http://www.oldsobsolete.com/?s=water+valve

I may actually have one of those in a stash of parts. I'll check on it and send you a PM.

Replace it with a simple in line valve. Open the valve in winter when using the heater and close it in summer when using the air conditioner.

Judging by the Mimosa trees and prickly pear, you must live somewhere down my way. I live in Atlanta.

The problems with that water valve, its hard to find, hard to replace, and you
can't drive without it. I change those out to a VACUUM OPERATED in line valve
which does the same thing. They are less likely to leak; if they do, you can just
use hose to bypass them and keep driving. You will need to screw a nipple into
the manifold for the hose; I think 76-79 Seville had one for Olds. Bruce Roe

Thanks for the help. I think I have found a replacement for $40.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/morein ... 446&jpid=0

Heck ya!

I didn't even check rock Auto because I thought it would have been a low volume part, etc. Shows you that checking the chain stores first is best, no matter what the part is.

The hot water valve for the regular pushbutton air-conditioning is usually the easy one to find.

The one that is very hard to find and can be quite pricey on eBay is the hot water valve for the Comfortron automatic air-conditioning system because it also has a thermal vacuum switch on it that doesn't let the fan turn on until the coolant has reached 70° or something like that to keep us big babies comfortable in the winter.

DrK wrote:The hot water valve for the regular pushbutton air-conditioning is usually the easy one to find.

The one that is very hard to find and can be quite pricey on eBay is the hot water valve for the Comfortron automatic air-conditioning system because it also has a thermal vacuum switch on it that doesn't let the fan turn on until the coolant has reached 70° or something like that to keep us big babies comfortable in the winter.

Yes I remember making the trip to work in 20 below zero, and I couldn't get
anything from the heater because the engine wasn't fully warmed up. First
thing I did was short out that USELESS thermal switch, I"LL be the one deciding
when to run the heater blower. 3 E cars later, its still shorted out. Bruce Roe