Camera PV 2007 » Digital Camera » coolant leak in '88 735i
coolant leak in '88 735i
Question:
For the past few days I’ve noticed a slight odor of coolant in the cabin when the heat is on, and the windscreen fogs up after I turn the car off (just driver’s side I think). Today on the way home I could see slightly perceptible wisps of steam coming through the defroster vent on the driver’s side while at a stop light. I’m thinking heater core of course, but since this is my first BMW, I’d like to pose this one to the list. Could it be something as simple as a leaky hose or clamp near the core? Where is the core in my car, anyway? Thanks in advance, Jack
Response:
> For the past few days I’ve noticed a slight odor of coolant in the cabin > when the heat is on, and the windscreen fogs up after I turn the car off > (just driver’s side I think). Today on the way home I could see slightly > perceptible wisps of steam coming through the defroster vent on the driver’s > side while at a stop light. I’m thinking heater core of course, but since > this is my first BMW, I’d like to pose this one to the list. Could it be > something as simple as a leaky hose or clamp near the core? Where is the > core in my car, anyway? Thanks in advance,
Yes, it’s most likely the heater core that needs replacement. It’s located under the dashboard behind the ash tray and air condition controls, see the links below for details… An image of the location: http://www.homeofsbc.com/E32_Overview/Fixes/Heater/Quick1/quick4.jpg This link describes how to replace the heater core (I haven’t tried this myself): http://www.homeofsbc.com/E32_Overview/Fixes/Heater/heater.htm -AV ‘87 BMW 735i
Response:
Thanks, Arild. That side was very helpful. I’m going to tear into tomorrow after my replacement parts arrive. I’m going to document the procedure with a digital camera and I’ll put a web page up since things in my ‘88 look a little different (it’s an American market car). Unless, of course, I screw everything up, in which case there will just be a picture of me dropping the car off at the dealer 
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> For the past few days I’ve noticed a slight odor of coolant in the cabin > when the heat is on, and the windscreen fogs up after I turn the car off > (just driver’s side I think). Today on the way home I could see slightly > perceptible wisps of steam coming through the defroster vent on the driver’s > side while at a stop light. I’m thinking heater core of course, but since > this is my first BMW, I’d like to pose this one to the list. Could it be > something as simple as a leaky hose or clamp near the core? Where is the > core in my car, anyway? Thanks in advance, > Yes, it’s most likely the heater core that needs replacement. It’s > located under the dashboard behind the ash tray and air condition > controls, see the links below for details… > An image of the location: > http://www.homeofsbc.com/E32_Overview/Fixes/Heater/Quick1/quick4.jpg > This link describes how to replace the heater core (I haven’t tried this > myself): > http://www.homeofsbc.com/E32_Overview/Fixes/Heater/heater.htm > -AV > ‘87 BMW 735i