Heater Core Blew...

[shogun]

did you see these pics? https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...re-replacement

[norcal8er]

Yes, this excellent write up has been my guide, but I can't quite get the cover out like he did. I thought I saw another thread where someone said it would only come out with the left side first, but my left side is stuck behind the metal bar. It seems like the only way to get it out would be to pull it far enough right to get it out from under the bar. However, in pulling it right I am hitting the part of the dashboard which comes down to the center console and is the side support for the glovebox. I'm attaching a photo to show the problem.

IMG_6437c.jpg

[M6csi]

Yeah, I hit the same hurdle in trying to remove the heater core cover. Finally removed the dash, thus, allowing me the room to pry off the driver side of the cover. It took quite a bit of force, surprisingly, it came off in one piece with no damage. Nearly an impossible task (removing core) just by removing the center console, kudos to others who have done it without taking the entire dash out.

[norcal8er]

Thank you very much for your replies. I have come to the same conclusion. The dash has to come off. If anyone has the content from this old link, I'd be most appreciative.
http://acme-ltd.com/BMW/E31_8_series_heater_core.htm

[8eights]

Here's Duje's write up...

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ht=heater+core



The car should look like Wuffers car here when the heater core is removed, Scary but much easier than it looks, Just time consuming.

[norcal8er]

Thank you. This guide has been invaluable. I managed to get the old core out without fully pulling out the dash. Now I am stuck on the upper left flange. I can get the pipe to line up with the core, so the flange is flush with it, but just cannot get it to turn into place. I tried filing down a very small bit of the corner (and greasing it) and now I can get it to start it better, but it just won't go fully into place. Before this, I thought removing the dash was going to be the hardest part.

[quillsta]

replacemnet is a separate thing, but if you need to replace the cover can be done with this one.... struggle bus trying to find the right thread to post prints, but will be on that soon.

e31 Heater Core Cover by quillsta - Thingiverse

[8eights]

Pull the dash out, Easiest way in my opinion and you'll surely get it right, Don't pull any seats, I never understood why that was done.

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[Goodguyili]

I am in the process of removing my steel heater core pipes and I am at an inpass. So far I have removed the dash and everything except the driverside bash bar and steering column. Does anyone have an idea how to access them? Mine are pretty corroded and are the source to my heater core leak so the definitely need to be replaced.

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[Goodguyili]

They go through your fire wall and look like this (not mine pictured).

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[rjjablo]

I would cut the metal tubes to get it out either thru the firewall or out the dash. Likely Rubber Grommets in the firewall. Likely end up pulling out everything on the firewall side just to get access Lots of Lube and good luck getting it back together.

[Goodguyili]

I would cut the metal tubes to get it out either thru the firewall or out the dash. Likely Rubber Grommets in the firewall. Likely end up pulling out everything on the firewall side just to get access Lots of Lube and good luck getting it back together.

I will attempt this next week, thank you!

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[Dash01]

I'm not yet an E31 guy, but I did the heater core change on an E34, so am basically familiar with the concept of BMW heater core change.

Questions:

1. What are the typical failure points on an E31 or similar BMW heater core? O rings? Failed plastic bits on heater core joints? What?

2. Given annoying problems of the hard pipes and alignment while installing the new heater core, would there be any saving of time and effort by splicing in flexible heater hoses of correct size? This may potentially ease installation of the new unit without fighting the positioning of the hard pipes.

3. If the failure of the old core is hairline crack leak, can the old core be easily repaired or strengthened by proper use of, say, JB Weld? I've used this stuff to fix hairline cracks in both plastic and metal radiator tanks, etc. as well as the auto transmission cooler on an E36, so far holding strong after years of use. So, why wouldn't this also work with a heater core? Granted, it's not the same as a new core, but then the epoxy-reinforced plastic of the old unit may be actually stronger than an new one...

[Goodguyili]

Well i finally was able to replace my heater core pipes...

I did a heater core replacement a while ago and it was fine and dandy, however the pipes were corroded and full of mineral deposits. Possibly due to poor coolant flush and may have been filled with tap water from previous owner. After a few months of driving it stsrted to leak at the footwell and the culprit ended up being these metal pipes leading up to the heater core... So I perform another heater core replacement on top of replacing the pipes.

https://youtu.be/et9QMtuklY0?si=rIuvd0XEYTYYeT0y

Between film cuts, I actually used a pipe cutter and a wire cutter to snip the old pipes in half to make removing them much easier.

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[Goodguyili]

Thank you for the advice @rjjablo Cutting the pipes did the job of getting the old one's out.20230827_143009.jpg