Coolant on Driver Side Carpet - Hmmmm

[Atreus]

So.... I've been having a coolant leak since i completed my HG/Timing belt job.... i believe i have it tracked down to the throttle body. But, today, i get in my car to leave work, and the driver side carpet is sopping wet. sweet, stinky, coolant everywhere.

now, i thought i bled the system properly, there were no leaks under the carpet, until i ran the vent/blower system on "cool" it was the first time i've done it, and i believe that may have a hand in this happening.

There are no streaking wet spots on the center console/by the pedals, it is purely at the bottom of the carpet, like where the rubber foot part is in the carpet, to the front of the seat.

bad heater core? its still blowing out hot.
the two lines in the firewall by the brake booster?
i read something about a valve by the heater core, could it be that?

these things; i do not know.



///similar thread.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=135087&highlight=floor+wet

any help is appreciated.

89' 325i....

[bmwsun]

i had the same problem and it was the two lines after the firewall... check to see if the valve is leaking.

[Ral]

happened to me too. Best thing to do in my opinion would be to bypass the heater core entirely with a small piece of 1/2" fitting in the engine bay. (hell, summer will be here soon)

[ck_taft325is]

Def. check the valve there as "bmwsun" said. My friend had a similar issue when he bought his e30 and it turned out to be that.

[mrsleeve]

valve, hose or core

[Atreus]

okay cool, thanks for the leads guys. i'ma check the heater core DIY thread.

[Atreus]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...14&hg=64&fg=15 - is it #16 the valve you all speak of?

# 4/5 are the two hoses that pop out through the firewall right?

[Atreus]

and last question, in the meantime, to reduce the soaking carpet/leakage, do i just keep the heat off?

[StereoInstaller1]

happened to me too. Best thing to do in my opinion would be to bypass the heater core entirely with a small piece of 1/2" fitting in the engine bay. (hell, summer will be here soon)

Texas, meet Colorado.

Check that the hoses aren't leaking down the outside of the coolant pipe and dripping from there, too. Unlikely as the seal is good and tight, but WTF, it is 20 years old, right?

[gearheadE30]

the valve by the core is an overpressure bypass valve because apparently e30 heater cores have a tendency to explode if the car overheats badly. It was a recall item that was often poorly installed. Check that and the pipes on the heater core inside the car; I bet it's one of those.

[325ix]

happened to me too. Best thing to do in my opinion would be to bypass the heater core entirely with a small piece of 1/2" fitting in the engine bay. (hell, summer will be here soon)

Ha I wish I got another three months

[evil_twin]

Sounds like the heater valve. I had that problem, and did bypass the heater core for a year or so. If you do that, remember to put the lines BACK where you got them from or else you won't get heat anytime over 3k.

[StereoInstaller1]

the valve by the core is an overpressure bypass valve

No, the bypass is near the block. That valve simply shuts off the water flow...it is opened and closed by the temperature control switch.

Whoever suggested that was to prevent heater core failure is full of crap.

[Atreus]

going to try my luck at the junkyard today..... cold denver mornings suck ass. driving around in my onesie is horrible, hahahaha.

[Atreus]

pulled the carpet out, was gonna do a write up, but once i got to the gas pedal/carpet removal part, i said fuck taking pictures.

got it out, warming up the car to see where this leak is coming from. put the seats back in. need to figure out a good way to dry the foam.... any pointers there? the carpet is sopping wet. ugh.

to top it off, i found some surface rust under the tar under the carpet. i removed the tar, what is the best way to deal with the rust? never dealt with rust before. can i wire brush it off, clean it, and spray some rustoleum on it? lol