Replacing the E30 Heater Core and Valve

[polishadonis]

I have a working heater core for $50. Email me at emailismynewphone@gmail.com

Adam

[Anguz]

do you have to bleed the coolant system after?

[JinormusJ]

To anyone replacing any of the heater core stuff
BUY NEW O-RINGS, even if yours are relatively new

I spent 3 hours and took my heater core out 3 times because it kept leaking; have to wait til Saturday til new O-rings arrive, but the car isn't a daily, so it can afford to sit in shambles for a couple days

[Wishno87]

Have a quick question about testing the valve.
I heard that you can feel the valve opening as you turn the temperature knob up but should it move durning the entire range of the knob or is it an I/0 kind of thing? Trying the fix the GFs heat and the valve only moves during the 7-9 range of the heat control.

[quickervicar]

Mine only moves in the 4-5 range. If we combine the power of our valves we could take over the world!

[JinormusJ]

Mine moves right where the red starts (3-4 range); from what I can tell, you can also hear the valve open (it's like a clicking sound)
If it really irritates you, you might need a new valve. If your looking to fix it up, PM me, I have an extra that I purchased accidentally when I thought my valve was busted

[DatUtahGuy]

I get to do this soon, crossing my fingers that it doesnt leak after.

Oh did I mention I dont have a garage and will be doing this with a lovely temperature of about 5 degrees? Challenge accepted

[DatUtahGuy]

Where are you all getting the o rings from? Local BMW dealer is out

[Kershaw]

my ex didnt replace her o-rings. she has no problems and it's in the middle of winter. she uses the heat all the time since she weighs 90lbs.

[JinormusJ]

Where are you all getting the o rings from? Local BMW dealer is out

I bought them from Patrick at BMA Auto

About $.35 each or so; you only need 3

[ttrreevvoorr]

Good DIY. However my coolant light is still goes on from time to time. Doesn't over heat or leak though. Any ideas on what it might be?

[kmarei]

Coolant light is normally a bad coolant sensor

[blazinxpk]

heat did not work in my car. replaced heater valve with one from junkyard, now i can finally feel warm air.

i didnt replace any of the o-rings and didnt see any leak. all works well so far.

[DatUtahGuy]

Just got around to replacing the heater core valve (shoutout to buttchuzz for hooking me up with the parts) and I have a NOOB question.
After replacing the valve and reinstalling everything, I bled the system and allowed the car to get to idling temp. I tried my heat and still had nothing, so I walked out to the engine and felt the hoses that go to the core, both were cold. However, as I followed the top hose down it got hotter and hotter.
I revved the engine for a few minutes, still no heat, top of hose cold, bottom hot.

Started driving home thinking what I could have missed and about 5 min into my drive I tried my heat and viola, hot as can be. So what do I not understand about how the thermostat or core works?

[ttrreevvoorr]

Just got around to replacing the heater core valve (shoutout to buttchuzz for hooking me up with the parts) and I have a NOOB question.
After replacing the valve and reinstalling everything, I bled the system and allowed the car to get to idling temp. I tried my heat and still had nothing, so I walked out to the engine and felt the hoses that go to the core, both were cold. However, as I followed the top hose down it got hotter and hotter.
I revved the engine for a few minutes, still no heat, top of hose cold, bottom hot.

Started driving home thinking what I could have missed and about 5 min into my drive I tried my heat and viola, hot as can be. So what do I not understand about how the thermostat or core works?

Because you didn't wait long enough for your car to warm up. You know how when you start your car on a cold morning the heat doesn't work immediately? It's the same thing.
/myguess