Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Good Afternoon,
I've been having a problem with our Patrician vapor locking.
Could this be because of a sticking heat riser? The right exhaust tailpipe drips condensation and seems a bit rusty. Isn't sooty like the left one either.

What you describe with the condition of one side of the exhaust is a classic case of a stuck heat riser valve. I don't know much this contributes to vapor locking, but a stuck valve will contribute to early failure of one side of the exhaust.

It is easy enough to check. If it is stuck try and free it up with penetrating oil or if this fails, replace. Many have hot been removed and the cars seem to work fine without them; albeit prone to carburetor icing in certain high humidity low temperature situations.

Thanks for the information. I assumed thats what was going on. I'll try to free it up or just remove it, as the Patrician is snuggled into her nice garage bed when the weather turns colder.