cmyachtie

Had to replace my cabin heater control valve and could not find any diy writeup so I documented my experience, took a couple hours for me but next time can be done in an hour. Virtually no coolant loss without draining all coolant.(see 5th pic).

Apologies for pics rotation, seems to get altered form uploading from iPad.

Tools needed:
Vice grips and or hose pincher to squeeze heater hose closed to prevent coolant loss, at least two but three is better, same qty of corks or expandable wine bottle stoppers.
Groove joint pliers to remove those pesky spring loaded OEM hose clamps. Or if you so inclined you can get the special tool for those clamps (driver’s side for all of use driving on right side).
Next I used a turkey baster to remove as much coolant as possible from the overflow reservoir to get coolant level as low as possible save it so you can pour it back when finished.
Remove the engine air filter housing, disconnect MAF from intake hose.
Remove driver side cabin air filter and bottom housing.
Pull dipstick out and cover hole with something like one of your latex gloves.
Disconnect wiring from top of the valve unit.
I also pulled the vacuum hose going to brake from its mounting clips to get it away from the coolant hose.

I dropped an old blue towel in between engine just to catch any coolant.(2nd pic)

Place one of the vice grips on the hose coming from the front of the car(see 2nd pic)
and do the same with the top hose attached to the rear of the valve.(see 4th pic).
If you have those hose pinchers place them wherever you can fit them.
Now take your hose clamp tool and squeeze the pliers on the two little tabs sticking out of the clamps and as you open the clamps slide them away from the valve unit starting with the hose from the front of the valve.
Repeat for the top hose at back on valve.
Now pull off the front hose and place whatever cork or plug on that hose.
Do the same with the other hose.
Now lift the valve up out of its mountings the last hose still connected to the point where you can access that hose clamp and remove the last hose.

Once you got the old valve disconnected completely start with connecting your new replacement with reconnecting the valve to the last hose and subsequent removed hoses.

Last Pic shows vice grip on rear lower hose with wine bottle stopper in end of the top hose.

Enjoy!

JayArras

Thanks for your contribution! Sharing knowledge is what this board is all about!