is this why my heater wont work?

[88blue-z]

bought an 87 pacifica t1 auto with a weak heater,the blower works just mild cool air,i found this lil actuator on the lines off the heater core in the engine bay with a severed vac line would this be the problem?
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq74/mopardriver89/2012-10-212014_32_18.jpg

[Oggie Fisher]

Maybe. The by-pass valve is only activated when "Max AC" is selected. I forget if the by-pass is activated when it sees vac or atmosphere. I'm sure someone who knows for certain will chime in, but you will also find the answer if you do a search of the forum as the this topic has come up before.

[cordes]

The valve itself is most likely junk. You should be able to actuate it pretty easily by hand if it's good. Reverse its current position and see if that helps.

[5sp. mini]

might have to flush the heater core have done on many of the turbo cars, seem to be one of the many fixs.

[turbovanman²]

That valve is set to be open with no vacuum. Check the heat of the heater hoses, both should be hot and/or hot in, warm. IF cold out, the valve is plugged or the core is. You can soak the core with CLR, but it COULD cause a leak, but I've been doing this for something like 8 years on mine, lol. Too lazy to replace it.

[Tempted]

Have you checked and bled the antifreeze?

[5sp. mini]

does the ac work, if it don,t u can just install a flush tee in there till you can change the valve

[guyd_15]

If the mix door is working OK, I've used CLR like Simon said. Pull both hoses from the engine, fill with CLR let soak for a 1/2 hour, flush with the garden hose for a few minutes. Reconnect the hoses, top off the coolant and take it in for power coolant flush.

With all the dissimilar metals the coolant comes in contact with it amazes me it lasts a year, even the "new" extended life coolants.

Guy