Heater core problem *please help*

[BamBam318]

Hey guys I picked an 84 318i for 500 this summer and the heater core is no good... Now that I am trying to replace it I am running into a problem. I live in a small town and there is only one euro shop in town so I'm lookin to you guys for help. I've done a lot of research but can't find much. Now to the problem, when I called the shop to order a new core they are telling me that there are two different types, plastic and aluminum inlets and that I need to know which one I have before I order... It is my DD and I can't have it torn apart for a week. So is there anyway to tell which one I would have without having to take the whole dash apart? Also when I do get it figured out what advice do you guys have on replacing it? Like I said its a 1984 318i with the m10. Thanks in advanced for all your help. This website has already helped me out with a lot of issue with "project" :D

[cormier]

You don't have to pull it apart like crazy just carefully take a look, just the centre console piece has to move

[browntown]

E30's have two designs. The vast majority have both the inlet and outlet pipes right next to each other as they join the core. There are some models where they are not.

The rarer one looks like this:


The much more common one looks like this:


I have a used one of these that I can sell you for cheap if you need to get back on the road in a hurry. I'd encourage you to replace your heater valve, the pipes to the engine bay and all the o-rings while you're down there.

Take the center console out and look under your dash on the drivers side, the core exits the center area into the footwell and you can ID which type you have.



Go here to see write up

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=98782

[reelizmpro]

Do you have AC? if you do, chances are you have the aluminum pipe version here:

[BamBam318]

Thanks for all the help so far guys it looks like I have a lot to do tomorrow... It does have a/c so should I just risk it and go for the popular one? Knowing my luck my car would have been one of the exceptions... But if there is a majority might be worth it to shoot for it:neutral:

[browntown]

You have to take off that center console to replace the thing anyways. Just take it off tomorrow, confirm what part you need to order (and get new o-rings too!!), and leave the center console off for a couple days while you wait for the part. It's the easiest part of the job - plastic nut under rear ashtray, side plastic nuts, pop out the window switches and the shift boot / knob or the auto shifter plastic brush piece.

[BamBam318]

Sounds good to me... I am totally willing to drive it without the center console... That won't be a problem at all. Thanks for all the help! And that is an awesome write up I'm not sure if that one came up when I searched for heater core on here, anyway thanks again for all the input :grin: