E34 Heater valve question

[Dash01]

E34 Heater valve is working well enough that driver and passenger side heat controls make different temperatures, as desired.

However, in removing the old heater core, bits of the heater valve gaskets were found in the heater core inlet fittings.

So, we know that even though working, the heater valve has no internal gaskets sealing the solenoid plunger shafts.

Question: Would loss of such heater valve gaskets be a source for coolant loss? Or, are the solenoids just running wet, but still holding coolant?

[Paul in NZ]

i would guess the latter if you were actually losing coolant there you would see the dried antifreeze all over the top of the valves