Update: My video and post refer to the leak as a possible cause for my starting issues. I just realized the starter and the leaking valve are on opposite sides.

Trouble still there, likely the starter then, and the leak as a separate issue... Why does that valve keep going bad?

2003 Ranger 2.3L

I had trouble starting the truck this morning. It took a while, and then it started right away. I suspected a bad starter, as I drove off, I noticed steam coming off the engine. I pulled over and found that my heater core valve was leaking. It is probably the third time in three years that I've replaced it. Last year, I used my garden hose to "flush" the heater core, and it came back pretty clean. Nothing much came out of it. I replaced the valve with a new one and when it got warmer, I was afraid the valve would break again and leave me stranded, so I eventually just disconnected the heater from the actuator.
About two weeks ago I connected the heater actuator. This morning I noticed the valve leaking (see video link).

I have made a video if it helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vVp-GcdyYI

1.- Are the leak and the starter problems related?
2.- Why does my valve keep going bad? Dirty Core? How can I clean it? (hose didn't seem to get much out)

Any help is appreciated.
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2003 Ford Ranger 2WD 2.3L MFI DOHC 183K m. Standard T.

 

Leaking valves and hoses can be from too much pressure in the system, check rad cap, it releases pressure above 14psi

I can see no connection between starting and coolant leak.

Long shot would be a blown head gasket, it will overpressurize the cooling system, and when engine is off coolant can flow into a cylinder, this would cause starter motor to stop/hesitate when turning the crank because coolant can't be compressed like air, so you get a partial hydro-lock on that cylinder.

Sign of this would be full overflow tank and engine overheating at times, so long shot since you didn't mention any of that.

 

Thank you! I swapped batteries with the wife's car, and the truck started fine... so I think it's the battery... now, about the valve leaking, I am afraid it would have something to do with a head gasket, because a couple of years back the truck had some overheating issues. It has been "fixed", a new thermostat and it doesn't overheat, but if there is a tiny leak it could pressurize the cooling system enough to keep breaking that valve, right? I have my suspicions because the coolant reservoir looks kind of murky, not much, but somewhat dark and dirtier than normal.

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it!