Heater Core Blew...

[starship1701a]

noticed humidity on my wind-shield and just later noticed antifreeze puddle under my car... luckily i didn't run out of water and overheat!! In any event it's under repair now and should be completed tomorrow... its listed at 9 hours labour... gonna run a cool G note...

I'm more concerned how well it will be reassembled...

Any tips for things i should look for when completed?

[TxGR8White]

Check to see that ALL your electrical connections behind the dash were done properly. You might also notice done new squeaks and rattles...

[Wuffer]

More coolant under the car.... 8-)

[8eights]

Wish I could of made that G note, Would of charged you a set of vents and a pizza.

[mjrgroup]

I know this is not what you asked, but since you have an early-model 8, too bad you didn't attempt this yourself...you can do this in about 6 hours of labor in your driveway without having to remove the entire dash (just center console and driver's and passenger's trim panels). Just buy new coolant, the heater core and heater core pipes, o-rings and vaseline.


e31 91 BMW 850i Dismantled center console by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i Heater core cover in console by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i Heater Core cover & sensors (BMW Part# 64111383088) by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i Removed heater core; A/C evaporator visible (64118391277) by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i Old heater core and pipes (still good, no leaks at 102,000 miles & 23 years!) (BMW Part #s 64118372523 & 64118372524) by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i New Behr OEM heater core (BMW Part # 64118372523) Metal M5 Square Nuts Installed (BMW Part # 07119921431) by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i New Behr OEM heater core (BMW Part # 64118372523) Installed by MJR GROUP, on Flickr


e31 91 BMW 850i New Behr OEM heater core (BMW Part # 64118372523) (All pipe connected and new o-rings installed with petroleum jelly) by MJR GROUP, on Flickr

[toomanyparts]

Call me picky, but I always use O-ring lube, comes in a small tube. Not sure if it is exactly the same as vaseline, seems to be clear and little less thick.

[starship1701a]

still waiting for a part that goes thru the firewall... apparently after install and pressure test, that piece leaked...

[sleepy81]

That would be pipes 2, 3 & 4

[Wuffer]

Interesting - those are steel pipes - and go thru a rubber insulator/gasket into the engine bay. No idea why one or more should be leaking. Have done 7 E31 heater cores so far (and another one tomorrow) and have never come across that issue....

[8eights]

+1

Can't see those pipes with a issue.

[CaifanSC]

haha...there's ma sekzy grey bucket

ACtually, when we did Mike's heater core I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is. I don't think it's as easy if you have a 94+ car since there is another metal beam that gets in the way.

[sleepy81]

I don't think it's as easy if you have a 94+ car since there is another metal beam that gets in the way.

And on a RHD '97, times that x 10 & there are 2 beams. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...Con-leak-found

[BMSman]

What is the secret to removing the heater core cover?

My car is a 91 so has the metal bar only on the driver side. I have all the clips removed and the cover is loose but I can't get it out. I'm moving it to the right in hopes of pulling out the left side but just don't seem to be able to move it far enough without hitting the underside of the dash to the left of the lower glove box.

Beginning to think I should remove the whole dash but my upper glove box won't open (latch doesn't release).

[8eights]

Removing the dash makes It much easier to get it right, The first time!

[8forlife]

What is the secret to removing the heater core cover?

My car is a 91 so has the metal bar only on the driver side. I have all the clips removed and the cover is loose but I can't get it out. I'm moving it to the right in hopes of pulling out the left side but just don't seem to be able to move it far enough without hitting the underside of the dash to the left of the lower glove box.

Beginning to think I should remove the whole dash but my upper glove box won't open (latch doesn't release).

Im doing mine as we speak and I pushed up from the bottom of the dash and it broke free

ForumRunner_20150727_225205.png

[BMSman]

How did you orient the cover to pull it out?
I have all the clips removed, the cover is loose so I can move it but I can't figure out how to squeeze it out of there! Does removing the glove box help?

[cartoonz]

...Does removing the glove box help?

it does.

[e31bev]

Now I'm seriously wondering with the heater core cover removed, would I be able to move the double din unit to the top?

[BMSman]

I gave up trying to get the heater core cover off and out through the center console. Ended up removing the dash which must have been replaced at some point since it has a 1995 tag on it and my car is a 91.
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And finally got the heater core cover off.
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The only signs of a leak are the white stains on the black pipes.

The front edge of the ducts in the dash have deformed and was likely the cause of a poor seal. I plan to reinforce this and straighten it out. The foam is disintegrating - I ordered some from Home Depot

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[8eights]

That only sign of a leak is a warning to have a trailer in reach or all Triple A fees paid in full 3 months prior to the Big show,)

[cartoonz]

...The only signs of a leak are the white stains on the black pipes....

and that's all you need to know you need to replace the entire heater core and the black pipes.

[sleepy81]

Probably should do the A/C Evaporator while you're in there. Murphy's Law says if you don't, you will need to soon.

[norcal8er]

I'm having the same problem as BMSman, in that I have the heater core cover loose, but I can’t seem to maneuver it out of the center console area. I also have a ’91 with the left metal bar. I had hoped to pull it far enough right to clear the bar and then pull it out, but no matter how I angle the cover, it still hits the right side before it clears the left. If anyone can tell me how to do it without pulling the whole dash I would be grateful.

[cartoonz]

Take out the glove box

[norcal8er]

I did that, but it doesn't help the cover clear the right side. The cover hits the upper part of the right center console which is part of the dashboard.