Once again winter DCCV heat problems

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tireman

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Every year about this time we go to turn on the heat and surprise, we can't control the heat or a/c, sometimes we get heat on one side and cooling on the other. These are symptoms of a stuck or failed DCCV unit. It seems to me that during the summer months the DCCV gets very little work and tends to collect particles in the solenoid piston sleeves, thereby jamming the pistons open or closed. The only way to solve the problem is with a new DCCV or remove and clean the old unit. I cleaned my DCCV 3 years ago and still working normally. Sometimes a coolant flush will free it up, maybe not. My DCCV report is still available to those who want it. Just email me at tire-expert@juno.com for a copy.
 
This hasn't been an issue for me, but then I use my climate control year round so the valves are always getting worked.
 
Not sure about the V-6, but with the V-8, the de-energized position is full hot. So it would seem that during the summer, the valve would still be moving.
 
Speaking of the DCCV... I think mine has just gone bad:-( Here are my symptoms: A/C is not working, engine is overheating and have to turn heat on max to avoid overheating, noticed a leak coming from that area.

My questions: 1) can the DCCV leak? 2) If I ensure coolant levels are topped off and run my heater on max to avoid overheating, can I do this indefinitely without harm to engine? 3) Not being mechanically oriented, estimated cost to repair by dealer? or can a shop like PepBoys do this cheaper?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

NOTE: tireman, separate message sent for report and I don't mean to hijack your thread but this is the closest thread I found related to my issue.


My car: 06 LS with 54k miles
 
Last edited by a moderator:
yes my DCCV is leaking... about 2L a week. I have heat on my side, no heat on the passenger.

should i clean it? or drill it wide open, then replace in the spring.

I dont want to spend anymore money on this car.

I also thought about taking it apart and attaching all the hoses together to get max heat all the time.
 
good4life said:
Speaking of the DCCV... I think mine has just gone bad:-( Here are my symptoms: A/C is not working, engine is overheating and have to turn heat on max to avoid overheating, noticed a leak coming from that area.

My questions: 1) can the DCCV leak? 2) If I ensure coolant levels are topped off and run my heater on max to avoid overheating, can I do this indefinitely without harm to engine? 3) Not being mechanically oriented, estimated cost to repair by dealer? or can a shop like PepBoys do this cheaper?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

NOTE: tireman, separate message sent for report and I don't mean to hijack your thread but this is the closest thread I found related to my issue.


My car: 06 LS with 54k miles
Click to expand...

1. Yes.
2. You would also have to bleed the trapped air out. Even so, the system couldn't pressurize, so it wouldn't be working at 100%. I wouldn't keep chancing it.
3. Dealer would probably be around $300 to $400 total and should include a coolant flush. You may find a good independent shop to do it for less, but the odds of them have experience with this setup aren't great.
You should only ever buy parts from PepBoys. They're not only incompetent, they are also crooked.
 
UPDATE: I topped off my my coolant and after 50 highway miles with the heater OFF, no signs of overheating. This is important as I can't get to my dealer for a week or so. I stll have the leak in the DCCV area but it is a drip, pause, drip, pause kind of leak. I am 2k miles (app. 3 weeks or so) from my next dealer visit so I will have to monitor this to determine if I will need to visit sooner.

On the side, would it be worth trying some cooling system 'Stop Leak' as a stop gap measure?

Thanks again for all the replies and advice.

Joegr - this is my feeling about everyone other than the dealer. Call me stupid but my dealer has never steered me wrong and I guess I pay for that comfort!
 
find the leak

don't use stop leak in this car.................find out where the leak is coming from, it may just be you need to tighten a hose clamp or something simple.
 
Okay, I won't consider the 'Stop Leak' anymore. I'll remain a purest and take it to my dealer as soon as I can. My comfort level is worth any premium I might pay with the dealer.

Thx again...
 
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