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[SteveT528]

Another pointless question and maybe stupid 

HBV why is it there and can it be bypassed?

Is it for the climate control? / aircon?

i have bypassed it and noticed no difference but i have removed the aircon aswell.

Im just interested as it looks a stupid setup and no one seems to have ever removed it or even talked about it that i can see anyway..

i mess about with stuff and break bits, i think most of you guys/girls on here just drive the omega and keep it the way vauxhall intended which is wise.

[hotel21]

The HBV is meant to allow you warmth whilst in the passenger cockpit.

If that is of no use to you ten why not remove it from the system to save weight etc?  Remember to ensure the vacuum sysrtem remains intact and its integrity allows it to work as it should as regards multirams etc....

[Seth]

There's never been a HBV fitted to o-meg-a's TD.
Is this perhaps due to it being a 'Select' model with no air con?

[Andy H]

The heater matrix isn't very well insulated so the HBV is there to shut off the heat when it isn't wanted.

The V6 relies on a continuous flow of water out through the coolant bridge at the back of the engine which is why it is a by-pass valve rather than a simple shut off valve.

If you do shut off the flow you won't get a reliable reading from the temperature gauge and neither will the ECU (both in the coolant bridge). Lack of flow could result in cooked cylinder heads & headgasket failure.

Good Luck....

[SteveT528]

shut off the flow you won't get a reliable reading from the temperature gauge and neither will the ECU

Do you mean blocking the pipes completely?  i was on about joining all the 3 pipes at the hbv this wouldnt shut off the flow would it?

ive got a HBV in at the moment but i ran 2 months without one and noticed no different at all.

Anyway Thanks for the great info  learn somthing new every day

[Andy H]

If you use a tee piece then there should still be plenty of flow through the coolant bridge so the engine should be happy.

Cannot comment on how well the cabin heater will work but if you have tried it and are happy then that sounds like a result

[TheBoy]

Dont just connect all 3 pipes together.

Work out the coolant flow system and plumb it correctly, basically removing the bypass bit.

Ensure no vac leaks afterwards.

[feeutfo]

shut off the flow you won't get a reliable reading from the temperature gauge and neither will the ECU

Do you mean blocking the pipes completely?  i was on about joining all the 3 pipes at the hbv this wouldnt shut off the flow would it?

ive got a HBV in at the moment but i ran 2 months without one and noticed no different at all.

Anyway Thanks for the great info  learn somthing new every day

2 months in winter is very different to two months in summer regards the required cabin temp and the flow the hbv gives surely?

By then time you've messed about with an alternative surely the correct part could have been fitted, job done...no?  :-?

[Abiton]

I'd just connect it up so the coolant's always going through the matrix; you don't have to blow air through it after all.

Our Select has never had an HBV. Can't say I'm at all sad about it. The things are a liability. Crap design/material choice, that was never revised, AFAIK.

[SteveT528]

By then time you've messed about with an alternative surely the correct part could have been fitted, job done...no?

Your missing the point  im doing this to find out if its really needed, just interested as theres to many people on oof like yourself that wont try these things or modify things, not a bad thing and im not having a dig   but theres the odd few like me that loves tinkering plus the HBV is a rubbish design ive lost count how many ive had to change on omega's.

Abiton - did the select never come with one as standard? if not i wonder if the heater matrix is insulated better? i bet its not, im sure the hbv wasnt just fitted due to poor insulation on the matrix so i wonder why it was fitted.

TheBoy - good point will work out the flow and see how easy it could be bypassed properly

[TheBoy]

To clarify, although hinted, its only hitted to AC cars, and is designed to, well, bypass the heater matrix when AC is on.

[feeutfo]

By then time you've messed about with an alternative surely the correct part could have been fitted, job done...no?

Your missing the point  im doing this to find out if its really needed, just interested as theres to many people on oof like yourself that wont try these things or modify things, not a bad thing and im not having a dig   but theres the odd few like me that loves tinkering plus the HBV is a rubbish design ive lost count how many ive had to change on omega's.

Abiton - did the select never come with one as standard? if not i wonder if the heater matrix is insulated better? i bet its not, im sure the hbv wasnt just fitted due to poor insulation on the matrix so i wonder why it was fitted.

TheBoy - good point will work out the flow and see how easy it could be bypassed properly

While on the one hand, it a always amazes me how some think they can improve on GM's development budget with a bit of tinkering.  :-? Not just with the hbv either.

But on the other hand, your right, it is sh1t .    .   

[SteveT528]

While on the one hand, it a always amazes me how some think they can improve on GM's development budget with a bit of tinkering.

  You can improve quite a few things , mass produced cars like GM's are never perfect anyone that knows a bit about cars will tell you that.  ive improved loads of vauxhall engines with a bit of "tinkering" some things gm have done are shocking to say the least, the HBV is one like you said its sh1t    - mind you some people do think they can improve everything like you said. Not everything GM produced was rubbish

To clarify, although hinted, its only hitted to AC cars, and is designed to, well, bypass the heater matrix when AC is on

Theboy your a legend you have answered my question in one  i will remove it properly now. will be glad to see the back of it.

[2woody]

just to clarify things a little further....

the HBV only closes off the heater matrix when the aircon is "on" AND BOTH temperature selectors are set to "full-cold"

There are hoses for replacing the HBV, on epc and available from Vx dealers. I have bought them before and have then fitted to a couple of cars where I've removed the aircon. Contact andyc, I bet he can get you a part number.

[Martin_1962]

just to clarify things a little further....

the HBV only closes off the heater matrix when the aircon is "on" AND BOTH temperature selectors are set to "full-cold"

There are hoses for replacing the HBV, on epc and available from Vx dealers. I have bought them before and have then fitted to a couple of cars where I've removed the aircon. Contact andyc, I bet he can get you a part number.

Why do you remove aircon?

Can't think of any reason except a track car.