heater problem?

Herman · Post by **Herman** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 9:00 am

I drive a Euro E12 (since I'm European, that wan't be hard to believe) with a small problem:

I know there is something wrong with my heater, since it won't give cool air.
And the picture I took from below the dashboard, driver side, where the rod from the control dissapears.

Does anyone have an idea what I should do next?

Replace/repair ?

Regards,

Herman

[/img]

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 12:09 pm

Can you clarify what you mean when you state that your heater does not produce cool air? Are you referring to the air conditioning?

If you have air conditioning and it is not blowing cool air, you may need to recharge the system. There is an article on this on the firstfives.

thomas_m535i · Post by **thomas_m535i** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:32 am

Herman,

It appears that your heater (water) valve is leaking. These valves allow hot engine coolant to flow trough a heater radiator, which can then be used to create hot cabin air. I believe it's not uncommon that these valves somehow get stuck and fail. In fact, I actually had the same problem with my car.

Conclusion: you probably have to buy a new heater valve (although you should verify first of course).
(64 11 1 360 820 or with A/C 64 11 1 359 634)

Good luck.

Herman · Post by **Herman** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:51 am

yippie!

I get some more work!
I don't have airco. Not very standard in an EURO car, since it's warm maybe 3 months a year and hot some weeks at the most.

I read the FAQ here, that advises only to remove the valve.
An advise from a dutch tinkerer is to completely remove the heater (also console, glove compartment and the heat shield in the motor compartment, so I can check the whole thing instead of just valve that's hard to reach.

I'm still looking for a new carpet. When I find that I need to remove the console anyway.
no one knows whether it could be an easy fix by tapping in the right place to get the valve free?

Probably to much to hope for.

thomas_m535i · Post by **thomas_m535i** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:39 am

Herman wrote:yippie!

I get some more work!
[..] to get the valve free?

Probably to much to hope for.

Well, I know it's possible to swap the valve without removing the complete heater. Although it may be advisable to do so anyway while you're at it. With heat shield I assume you probably mean the heater closing panel in the engine bay (that black panel in front of the ventilator). If you mean removing the entire sound insulation in the engine bay: that is certainly not necessary

. Removing the glove box compartment is also not necessary, the center console is another matter of course. Also, I can advise to swap the heater hoses (just behind the engine).

I've actually just removed the entire heater unit myself, so if you need some detailed pictures of a removed heater or a new water valve, please let me know.

Herman · Post by **Herman** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:25 am

@thomas
Those pics would be great!

I changed the head of my engine last year (broken head gasket and I had a revamped head on the shelf) and I took 3 weeks to gather all information I could before finally doing it.

You wouldn't have any pictures of how to attach an electric fan?
I got one from another E12 they said, but I still can't find how to install it.
(Or should I open an new thread for this?)

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:34 pm

Once you drop the kick panel the left (heater) dial, with silly plastic sticks and elbows, connects to the valve. Looks like a hockey puck. Pretty simple deal: rotating allows disc inside to regulate coolant flow.

Not uncommon after thirty years for the gasket or innards to fail and leak. Usually dripping on your throttle foot or soaking the carpet thereabouts.

For the how to, and tons of answers to just about every question possible, read the FAQ's or Google search anything in the archives. Much faster than waiting for answers on the board.

As insane and impossible as it seems at first look, the valve can be removed by using the little trick wrench, and a ton of stubborn patience. Be very careful not to lose the little nuts.

thomas_m535i · Post by **thomas_m535i** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:21 am

Herman wrote:@thomas
Those pics would be great! [..]
You wouldn't have [..] new thread for this?)

Herman, please check this out:
http://s763.photobucket.com/albums/xx27 ... 5i/Heater/

Hope this helps.

No info about the electric fan. Best to make a new topic indeed. Btw, if you can, make some pictures for us to learn.

Succes ermee en groeten, Thomas

Herman · Post by **Herman** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:57 am

Thanks!
I already wanted to put some stuff on the internet that had been hard to find for me.
Such as manuals for Solex carburators. (I have a 4A1)

If I can I will certainly try and make a FAQ for it.
First I will just have to check whether my bank account supports a new valve and whether my wife lets me have a day of to drain the cooling fluids before attempting this.