I need heat!

[sgtskid]

I have a 91 325i and for right now my car is my daily driver while I slowly acquire the parts to turn it into a spec. The blower motor burned up on the previous owner and melted the fuse into the fuse box. To bleed the air of the coolant system I had to disconnect the hoses to the heater core, the two just to the side of the brake booster.

With winter quickly approaching have some sort of "heat" would be nice. I thought about plumming the heater core back up so I would at least get some ambient warmth coming through the vents but I have heard there is a valve located somewhere that won't let coolant circulate unless the blower is working.

Long story short, what is the best way to get some sort of heat/warmth into the car. It would also be nice to have a defroster as having to drive with the window down when it fogs up gets reallllllly cold!

I have seen electric "space" heaters made for cars but haven't seen good reviews on them.

Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

[sgtskid]

Well, I hooked the heater core back up bleed the system and drove it around and what do i get? The floor pan filled with coolant.

Ugh, any know if BMW is still honoring that recall for the heater core and valve?

[Rigmaster]

Well, I hooked the heater core back up bleed the system and drove it around and what do i get? The floor pan filled with coolant.

Ugh, any know if BMW is still honoring that recall for the heater core and valve?

I don't think it replaced the heater core/valve, all they did was install a thermostatic valve to prevent you from getting a scalded shin if it overheated and hot coolant/steam blew out of the core/valve under the dash.


Replace the heater core- it's not that hard

[sgtskid]

Yea, I already have the extra thermostat installed on the firewall.

I know replacing the heater core isn't hard.....i'm just complaining. :)

[ttrousdell]

I had the same problem with coolant by the floor plan. I went out and bought a new heater core valve and when I went to replace it I saw the coolant was coming from the firewall. Turns out I didnt tighten the hose clamps on those lines going to the heater core. It just dripped right down through the firewall and on to my feet.

[mr.vang]

12v portable heater fan from habor freight is your best bet.

[sgtskid]

I had the same problem with coolant by the floor plan. I went out and bought a new heater core valve and when I went to replace it I saw the coolant was coming from the firewall. Turns out I didnt tighten the hose clamps on those lines going to the heater core. It just dripped right down through the firewall and on to my feet.

Interesting. I checked for leaks and didn't find any at the firewall but that would make sense. I may have to attempt it again. It was connected when I bought the car so I was curious as to why it all the sudden starting leaking.

[sgtskid]

I had the same problem with coolant by the floor plan. I went out and bought a new heater core valve and when I went to replace it I saw the coolant was coming from the firewall. Turns out I didnt tighten the hose clamps on those lines going to the heater core. It just dripped right down through the firewall and on to my feet.

It was a pretty weekend today so I thought I would give it another try. I hooked the heater core back up and you were right it was leaking from around the hose and running down the fire wall. I replaced a hose and tightened the clamps and voila! I know get warm air blowing through the vents....this is MUCH better than the ice cold air that had been coming through and at least it keeps the windshield from fogging. Next step....finding out why the fuse is melted for the blower and whether the blower is bad or controls...