Fairly new here. Howdy!

[Darman1136]

Howdy! I have been lurking here for a while and I think its time to introduce myself.
I recently purchased my '97 328i with 106k miles on it for a decent price and have only a few small problems. Been fixing them with everyone's neat DiY guides here! Thanks!

Currently trying to figure out why my heater doesn't work at idle. It will work if parked and revved up just a little. I have some small issues with my cooling system but I plan to completely replace it all here soon. Never overheats but I have a problem somewhere.

Can't post an image yet sadly. But its Boston green ! PO put some Chrome rims on it and they don't look bad at all. Leather is in decent shape, though passenger side looks a little rough. Got some paint missing from my rear bumper because someone backed into my car a few weeks after I got it.

[flyfishvt]

Please Please Pretty Please....DO NOTshow me pics of the chrome rims. Chrome looks great on muscle cars.......BMW? not so much.


HOWDY!!!

Your heat at idle issue isn't an issue. Mine and many others do the same thing and Ive replaced the entire cooling system. Mine starts to push heat as soon as I rev it as little as 100rpm.

Looks like the PO swapped the two front seats or at least the drivers seat. Its very rare for the passenger seat to be worn more than the drivers seat unless it was being driven by a mail man.

[Darman1136]

Eh it doesn't look bad. Pics when I can post em.

Currently all I can find wrong with it is:
Headliner sagging
Small radiator leak. When PO replaced T stat and water pump he pulled the clutch fan into the radiator.
Broken fin on clutch fan from above repair probably.
Sqeeky but working Aux fan.
Some wiring issue with stock speakers on drivers side.

And that's all I have found since I got it. Hopefully nothing else.

I love this car too! First BMW. Previous car was a '87 mustang hatchback.

[Automaticftp]

Please Please Pretty Please....DO NOTshow me pics of the chrome rims. Chrome looks great on muscle cars.......BMW? not so much.


+1

Welcome to the forums!

Replace your cooling system immediately - the broken fan and radiator leak should be done ASAP or you could see the fan disintegrate, your engine overheat, and you needing a new cylinder head.

[Sallad]

I'd check for a slipping belt on the waterpump.

[Darman1136]

I plan on getting one of the cooling system overhaul kits to replace everything when I can.

Sadly there are not many BMWs down here in junkyards for me to find a good clutch fan. Speaking of that fan I need to test and see if the clutch is good.

Need a passenger seat reclined motor and one of those plastic gears for my driver side :( Luckily its stuck in a good spot.

[flyfishvt]

If you can't fix the cooling system now then take that fan off. A broken blade will very quickly explode the rest of the fan. Ive seen the damage from this first hand on 2 cars. One has a hole in the hood the other required a new condensor for the A/C and several hoses. Then of course if needed to be recharged.

Do it now. Do it today.

[Spyke]

Don't do junkyard parts for your cooling system. They will have unknown wear and will be just as much of a gamble as what you've already got.

New OEM radiator, although most of us would recommend an all aluminum one for peace of mind. They'e cheap enough, and Mishimoto and VSL have limited lifetime warantees. Mishimoto will even replace yours if you're in an accident. Pretty "rad". :rofl

Get a new check out your engine driven fan, make sure there's no play. If there is, replace that asap too. An electric fan is another good upgrade, for reliability and simplicity.

Check all your hoses, check thermostat housing for leaks, make sure you're getting to the proper operating temps and not over/under.