Cheap-ed out on heater core valve, ended up with a leak.

[newb2bimmer]

I had the infamous heater core valve issue and I ended up replacing it with a cheaper, but still reputable brand. It only took 6 months and it started leaking out of the body. It was dripping coolant even when the engine was not running. Luckily I kept the old one which I put back and now waiting for a new, better brand one to come in and I'll keep the warranty replacement as a spare. If the issue had gone unnoticed the coolant loss could have caused much more serious issues.

[ard]

Originally Posted by newb2bimmer

I had the infamous heater core valve issue and I ended up replacing it with a cheaper, but still reputable brand. It only took 6 months and it started leaking out of the body. It was dripping coolant even when the engine was not running. Luckily I kept the old one which I put back and now waiting for a new, better brand one to come in and I'll keep the warranty replacement as a spare. If the issue had gone unnoticed the coolant loss could have caused much more serious issues.

I just LOVE the term "reputable".... does so much work.

[newb2bimmer]

Originally Posted by ard

I just LOVE the term "reputable".... does so much work.

The brand is ATP. What I meant that it was not some China never-heard-about brand but a brand that is widely available in the states. I did use gaskets, ATF filters and more from ATP before and never really has any issues in the past.

[ard]

Problem is that ATP might be sourcing them form a no-name 3rd world mfg, just branding them ATP.


Not saying you made a bad call, just really hard to know what you are buying these days....