Posts : 577 Join date : 2019-03-06 Age : 50 Location : Raleigh, NC
Subject: broken flow restrictor! Fri Aug 25, 2023 9:03 pm
On her way home last night the heater hose flow restrictor blew apart! Luckily, she's a car person and pays attention to smells and the gauges. Said she smelled coolant then saw some steam, so she pulled into a parking lot quickly.
Found this when I showed up to see what happened and if I could do anything to get the car home, ended up getting the car towed.
I found a genuine GM hose assembly on RockAuto that should be here Tuesday.
I had replaced most all of the hoses when she got the car a few years ago, except this one as I couldn't find the hose at the time. Now I see I should have been looking for the complete hose assembly... which isn't listed in the hoses section...
Posts : 2439 Join date : 2008-12-02 Age : 49 Location : Ocala,FL
Subject: Re: broken flow restrictor! Sat Aug 26, 2023 11:22 pm
Very common problem. For me they just kept breaking. I eliminated the stupid thing when I did the electric water pump.
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Wojtek
Posts : 232 Join date : 2021-01-13 Age : 74 Location : Columbia Station Ohio
Subject: Re: broken flow restrictor! Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:56 pm
Thanks for the info I too have been looking for this part
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Fred Kiehl
Posts : 7283 Join date : 2009-11-13 Age : 76 Location : Largo, FL 33774
Subject: Re: broken flow restrictor! Sun Aug 27, 2023 8:21 pm
You can get the part at AutoZone, but you need hose clamps ànd possibly hoses. If you have The same size hoses for in and out, get the one for a Camaro.
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rcktpwrd
Posts : 577 Join date : 2019-03-06 Age : 50 Location : Raleigh, NC
Got the part today so I installed it. Sadly, the genuine GM part is now made in China. It does look and match the original perfectly, hopefully it lasts as long.
Removing the old and installing the new wasn't too terrible. Hardest thing was having to take the mechanical fan off to get to the lower hose clamp. Still have to refill the coolant.
94Woody
Posts : 2439 Join date : 2008-12-02 Age : 49 Location : Ocala,FL
It won't last, sadly. Keep a very close eye on it, they leak on the ends and it collects on the bottom and you eventually see the low coolant light pop on when accelerating. Always tell when it's happening because there will be stain around each end. Can get the restrictor itself (in a GM box) from most any parts store.
Only thing more annoying than this part is aftermarket ignition key cylinders. Took me a couple of those to learn to just remove the system when I buy any 94/95.
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mtrhead79
Posts : 1614 Join date : 2010-04-24 Age : 55 Location : phila. pa
i replaced mine with 1/2'' copper tubbing. i soldered i smaller pc of brass pipe in it as the restrictor. i did put a little flare on each end of the copper so the hose clamp would not slide off.
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sherlock9c1
Posts : 2399 Join date : 2009-05-28 Location : Huntsville, AL
Agree with @94woody - I spent the money to put the GM assembly on one of my cars only to look at it from underneath one day and see seep leaks on many of the connectors. Dorman makes a number of heater core restrictors that most parts shop keep in stock. The 902-908 might work for these cars. You'll need to use a Dremel to cut the crimp off, then just replace with a high quality hose clamp.
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rcktpwrd
Posts : 577 Join date : 2019-03-06 Age : 50 Location : Raleigh, NC
Never used one of these before and I highly recommend it! Took a couple minutes to pull the -23ish vacuum on the system and then about a minute to refill about 3 gallons of coolant!
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