So This weekend I pulled the car out of the garage and noticed about a 3" diameter stain on the ground - the car had sat for 24hrs or so because I was traveling for work. I took a look around the motor and noticed that the DCCV is weeping, and there is coolant on the belly pan. The car seems to be losing a small amount of coolant, but my question is can I drive the car in the meantime while I mail order the part? And take care of it this weekend, or is it a disaster waiting to happen. Will this thing suddenly fail if it is already compromised, and lose all the coolant?

Also is there any way to repair this valve? They seem a bit pricey, or once it starts leaking it's time to replace it?

Thanks in advance,

George

 

I would make sure where your leak is? The DCCV fails but usually does NOT leak externally. The normal failure is the solenoids get sticky from coolant leaking pass the internal seals. This causes the DCCV to stop working or to work erratically giving the unequal heat or too much heat problems. If it's only leaking a bit I would keep a jug of coolant in the trunk and check it often!! No telling if or when the small leak will get much bigger!!!

No repairs only replace. I took my old one apart and saw how it failed. The corrosion destroys the metal in the solenoids.
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Mine did the same thing... was leaking just a bit. I lived with it for several months and just kept an eye on the coolant level (adding some occasionally) and temp gauge until I got the part and had the time to change it out.

Not a big deal... although a malfunctioning DCCV can ruin your air cond module ($$$$), so probably best not to wait too long.

 

No replace it, they do leak and they also can cause the solenoids to internally short which will take out your climate control module. Dont put it off