Heater valve lubrication

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

In the past week my heat distribution lever doesnt do anything but spring back into the middle position when I try to move it. I've consulted the Bentley Service manual, but its coverage of the heating distribution is pathetic. Since I know it has been working recently, could it just need a bit of liquid wrench on the valves or something? I'm looking for some lubrication points and I have not yet figured out where to lubricate some of the system parts. Any help/pictures is GREATLY appreciated.

p.s. Is anybody else a little disappointed with the Bentley pubs? I'm beginning to regret the $75 I spent on the thing...

[Porschedude]

I would use a little copper grease that is normally used for brake pads. High Temp, and doesn't contain any lead.

Disappointed in all the publications out there. Even Chevy produces complete publications at a small fraction of the Porsche and Bentley manual costs. My new Bentley Tech Book that I bought for my Carrera 2 (964) is very short of what one needs to have to service ones vehicle. I have the factory manuals and these are very vague. I think that each manual builds upon the previous set. But I don't want to invest in each ($300-$400) set between the first 911 up to my 964. It would cost several thousand US dollars to get it all.

Keith

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

Thanks Keith. What should I lubricate? Do I need to remove the entire gambit of the heater hardware (ugh) or is there something accessible that I can actually get to? Should the cables be lubricated inside the guides? I'm floundering on this one, thanks...

[jmohn]

Assuming by "heat distribution lever" you mean the lever in the dash not between the seats; I think you should start by removing the fiberboard that covers the air distribution valves in the front trunk and have someone (gently) move the lever while you determine which ones should be moving (you'll probably see the control cables flexing) and then try to manually move or assist them in moving. Perhaps remove the control cable and try moving the valve levers by hand, it may be they need re-adjustment or (more likely) one of the cable's sheaths may have disconnected from it's anchor so that the inner (control) cable is unable to slide within it and is just flexing the entire cable assembly. If lubrication is indicated (IMHO, unlikely) this is where you would want to apply it anyway.

Good luck,
Jerry M
'78 SC

[code7rpd]

There is a possibility that the cable is binding someplace; possibly on some wires under the fiberboard area. Have someone pull the lever while you look under the cover to see if there is any binding.

[Gunter]

If you mean the dashboard lever, it operates the "Bauten" cables connected to the various valves directing heat to defrost or floor. You need to remove the cover in the trunk and re-adjust the cable settings. The Bentley will not help, just check each setting visually. However, if you mean the lever between the seats, the heater valves are underneath the car and are also operated by Bauten cables. They all can be lubricated with some thin oil while sliding the inner cables in and out. On my '80 SC, the cable connection on the dash lever had broken and required some fancy work. The whole lever assembly can be disconnected from under the dash. Get on your back and shine a strong light up there and you'll see.

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

I've found the source of my problems. The anchor on the driver's side heat-distribution valve (located in the trunk where the cable from the dash attaches to) somehow backed out of the valve unit. Since there's nothing to pivot against, it's just kinda sliding back and forth. Is this sortof normal? Can it somehow be pushed back in or will I have to replace the valve? Help please...man I'm bummin.

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

bump...

[Gunter]

The outside (Sheath) of the Bauten cable is attached with a clip to the body of the valve. The inside wire, which slides, is fastened to the shaft of the valve-flap with a screw. This small screw allows you to adjust the setting so that it moves the flap inside the valve to the correct position. That's how it is on my '80 SC. There should be other valves there to show you how it works.

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

All that seems fine, but there's the pivot part of the valve arm (kinda shaped like an "L") where as you mentioned connects it to the actual wire. At the corner of the "L" there's a round cylinder thingie (no idea of the term) which actually makes the valve move and adjust your hot air between the defrost and feet heat. This cylinder has popped out of the plastic valve housing. What does this mean? Am I screwed? Do I have to replace that unit? What keeps the valve arm in place?

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

sorry...bump

[Gunter]

Hard to say without seeing