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Thread: Aftermarket Heater Control Valves?????

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    1998 323i convertible

    Aftermarket Heater Control Valves?????

    Has anyone used an aftermarket heater control valve? I was planning on rebuilding mine with a kit but the aftermarket valves are as cheap as the kits to rebuild the originals. Just wondering if anyone had any experience with these, good or bad.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    this is my collection of failed chinese heater valves reports http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1270185

    But maybe some have good results and mention that here? Since I read that with breaking clips and hose connectors, I am careful, a broken hose connector in the heater valves can cause a big coolant leak and in worst case a headgasket problem.
    Last edited by shogun; 10-05-2018 at 08:22 PM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Have to add: all the reported failures I found on the net refering to the heater valve version which fits E34, E32, E31.
    Maybe someone here uses a cheap aftermarket valve for the E36 and is happy with it and no claims?
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    ny
    Posts
    318
    My Cars
    1998 328i
    look for good construction. plasic hose fitters should be one piece molded plastic.
    Look for an exact match to OEM.

    Havent replaced mine yet

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    21
    My Cars
    F80 M3, E36 M3 Coupe
    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    Have to add: all the reported failures I found on the net refering to the heater valve version which fits E34, E32, E31.
    Maybe someone here uses a cheap aftermarket valve for the E36 and is happy with it and no claims?

    I just replaced one on my '97 M3 build along with the entire cooling system.

    The car is up on stands, but the initial test drive and coolant system bleed went well after rebuilding from the head gasket up.

    I was actually rather impressed with the quality of the unit; and it was a 1/4 of the price of OEM

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Sacramento CA
    Posts
    392
    My Cars
    325iT 330i
    I put a Chinese valve in an e36 about two years ago. Wish I recalled the details. It looked 100% identical to the original part. Worked till my daughter took the car across the country. She mentioned the other day that one day she had heat on only one side so I fear it may be failing already.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Rocket City
    Posts
    69
    My Cars
    1998 M3 Saloon
    Gates makes one now too, part no. EHV101. I put one on my 98 M3 when I overhauled the cooling system. I have to rev the engine to get heat flowing which could be trapped air or my control unit not working correctly. I've bled the system several times and my control unit does weird things, so it probably needs the capacitor replaced. It doesn't leak and it's been on the car for a year and a half so far.

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