Heater Control Valve

My first post and a brand new forum member here, despite owning my 1st gen ’99 Taco 2.7L SR5 for about 15 years. Hoping someone with specific experience can provide help/advice for me.

I’m in the process of gathering together parts needed to renew my cooling system – hoses, water pump, thermostat, sensors, etc., but NOT radiator or heater core. This is strictly a preventative maintenance exercise as I’m experiencing NO problems, and with only about 185K miles it’s mostly an age thing as well since I’m concerned that many/most of the components are original to the truck.

Regarding the cable-operated heater control valve that’s attached to the front of the firewall and connected to the dash panel, and feeding coolant into the heater core - I’ve read many instances where that part degrades over time and often fails (literally breaks apart), particularly when jostling it as I will be when I remove old hoses. My valve is currently operating perfectly, but I want to be prepared for the worst when I start my project. I’ve found the correct Toyota OEM part number for my application (87240-04020). It’s not widely available except at numerous online Toyota dealers, but the price is way over $100, not including shipping, and for a part that appears to mostly plastic. The aftermarket valves (ex. Four Seasons) are far less expensive, but I’m gun shy since many users report these not holding up for very long. Although one user reported excellent success with a NAPA branded replacement, pics make it look like it’s just a rebranded Four Seasons variety.

So here’s what I’d like to know. I always thought that the Tacoma and 4runner were certainly not mechanically identical but were at least similar. In checking the correct OEM heater control valve for the latter equipped with the 2.7L, it’s a different number (87240-35070) but much more reasonable in cost and also more readily available, and pictures make it look nearly identical or very close. Does anyone know if it’s interchangeable, and could I use it as an appropriate replacement? I don’t want to get stuck if it’s unusable, but would sure like to save a few bucks if I can get a genuine OEM part.

If by chance this topic has already addressed somewhere, please feel free to point me there. Appreciate any help on this, thanks very much!

 

If I'm being honest, they do look identical, the only difference I can see is one comes with a bracket...

 

@hammarhead I just want to say you are my new hero.

1st post. Correct forum. Logical questions, well researched.

No nonsense about lift types, tire sizes, LED lights or oil brand. I'm impressed!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld - great first post!

If you do order the 4Runner HCV, partsouq has it for 53 bucks.
https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=87240-35070

 

Looking at this a bit closer since I need to replace my HCV soon (pink crusties), the part# for 2000-2004 is 87240-04030. Fortunately, it appears to be readily available.




For what its worth @hammarhead, in 2000 Toyota started using 87240-04030 on the 2.7l tacoma.
I imagine this one would be fine too

 

A big thank you to all the kind folks who took the time to respond to my post and provide excellent information (as well as kind words from Clearwater Bill!). I dug a little deeper today and will pass along my findings and opinion (uh-oh, everybody's got one of those.........).

Went out to my truck today and closely inspected the old heater control valve. Clearly stamped on the top, next to the directional arrow showing flow direction, is the Denso brand. For good measure, I took a closeup pic, then compared that to the online pics at every web site I could find selling the OEM branded Toyota 4Runner part. Sure enough, every one clearly shows, just as the pic provided earlier by Area51Runner above, that there is NO Denso name on the currently available part, but that otherwise the two appear to be identical (even the bracket). Additionally, I also found a slightly different part number (87240-35050) for 4Runner on another web site, and that part is absolutely identical to the 87240-35070. Actual online pictures of part# 87240-04030 were harder to come by, but I did find one on a Toyota dealership web site, and that looked exactly the same. Finally, one web site listed "possible other applications" for this part, and it listed the 2.7L engine (3RZ-FE), suggesting that any of these numbers should theoretically work for my rig. These facts lead me to hypothesize that Denso no longer manufactures this particular valve, so Toyota has contracted with a different manufacturer to make this particular part (makes me wonder if the aftermarket varieties are coming out of the same factory?). And Toyota is then slapping different numbers onto the same part and listing each unique part number as applicable to a very specific year/model line, even though this one part covers a large number and variety of different years and models. So if my assumptions are correct, Toyota dealerships are certainly demanding a gargantuan markup on this part since numerous 3rd party vendors are obviously able to obtain this OEM part but are charging significantly less money. But it also makes me question whether or not the Toyota branded part is any better than some of the aftermarket ones?

Given all the above, I believe I will take the risk and order the 4Runner part in the near future, just not sure yet which vendor will get my money. I don't expect this topic to gain much further traffic on the forum, but am nonetheless always happy to hear what others think. Once I get the new part, I can post my evaluation again, but I must admit that the installation will not likely happen for quite some time (hopefully this summer) since I live in Alaska (where it is still very much wintertime) and do not own a garage or shop, so I'm constrained by weather in order to undertake this project. Happy driving and wrenching to all the diehard Tacophyles!!

 

Doubtful they are obtaining the same 'OEM' part and charging less. More likely, these numerous 3rd party sites are pulling a knockoff that looks identical. Wouldn't be the first time.

Then again, its plastic. If the third party one leaks or fails prematurely, just replace it and chalk it up to mystery solved. OEM FTW.

 

I got this one and currently have it on my truck since my rebuild. Works perfect. I live in north central florida, 30s in the morning and almost 80 in the afternoon. I've adjusted the temp over 100 times easily since I put it on and still working as it should. Just a recommendation since it's a bit more reasonably priced. Here are some photos of the Amazon page and my factory heater valve next to the replacement. It is identical and even the cable lands exactly where the factory one was, my factory one broke internally and the valve was not opening to let coolant pass. Hope this helps any, have a good one!

 

Mine just broke last week after all these years

 

I bought an aftermarket one, decent brand, it leaked after a couple months. Spend the money on OEM

 

I went generic 4 years ago.....still works fine...

$12 8724004020 Heater Control Valve For Toyota Tacoma 1995-2000 2.4L 2.7L 3.4L

Amazon.com: 8724004020 Heater Control Valve For Toyota Tacoma 1995-2000 2.4L 2.7L 3.4L : Automotive

 

I guess some people just get duds lol I also havnt had any problem with mine after 20k miles or any of the others I've installed on my customers trucks. Nice to hear you are going on 4 years!

 

Yeah these dont fail very often.....very simple device.....

only reason I had to replace mine is the mechanics that put in the new engine wasted mine....

engine sensors....oem all the way.....
....the other bs parts makes no difference.......either they'll out last you....or fall to trauma.....


If you want to splurge on something........change all the fluids on a timely manner...
that will give you the most bang for the buck.....

Also hoses decay from inside invisible......all that crap floating around....

 

Mine just deteriated. Messed up my truck with getting antifreeze into two sensors knocking them out. One was the coolant temp control belowe it.

 

I tend to agree, if it’s not a complicated part I don’t mind not doing oem- I just had the experience the Spectra or whatever crap brand I bought failed quick. Likelihood is you buy one at a parts store and it never fails

 

I think replaced mine over a year and half ago. Whatever O Reilly had in stock. The price was was about 10 bucks and figured if it went bad I’d try Napa brand next. So good so far

 

I know the docs say to drain the coolant system before changing this out but I wonder, would a couple of these work? I'm being lazy so figured I'd see what you all think?

$26 GEARWRENCH Automatic Locking Ratcheting Hose Pinch Off Pliers | 145

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-145-Hose-Pinch-Pliers/dp/B000O3NACS/

 

You can pinch it off if you want, that valve is the highest point of the coolant system, you aren't going to lose much coolant anyway. You do not have to drain the whole system to change that valve. But be sure to do the top off and bleed procedures afterwards.

2 pair of vise grips will work the same way. One on either side of the valve (far enough away from the valve so you don't create more work for yourself)

 

Figures, I didn't read the fine print lol.

 

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