Heater is dying...

Mless5 · Post by **Mless5** » Dec 06, 2005 4:04 PM

Turned it on this morning and it started to make that funky noise that comes from somewhere behind center vents. It sounds like something is rubbing/catching. That crisping noise. Heat works for a minute or two that dies and goes down to cold even though it's full on hot. Sounds gets louder if I turn the heater on 2nd or 3rd speed. Everything work perfectly untill my dad drove the car !@#$ !@#$ !@#$ . Any help here?

Thanks!

(it's getting really cold here!)

greg.epps · Post by **greg.epps** » Dec 06, 2005 5:00 PM

Sounds like it could be two different problems.
Your first symptom is the 'funky noise from somwhere behind the center vents.' This is almost definitely your blower motor. It's either seizing or catching on something and it's very easy to check on. Open the hood, unscrew 4 (I think) screws on the firewall and look behind that panel. That's your blower fan (is that redundant?). Pull that sucker out and give it a spin by hand. If it spins fairly free, it's probably ok and just catching on somthing. Otherwise, it may need lubrication or replacing.

Your second symptom is 'Heat works for a minute or two [then] dies and goes down to cold.' I'm going to bet that it only takes you a minute or two to get up to 40-50 mph. Have you noticed that it gets warmer when you stop or slow down? Or at lower RPM's? Either way, it could be your heater valve. Steve H sells rebuild kits for cheap.

Mless5 · Post by **Mless5** » Dec 06, 2005 5:05 PM

Thanks for the tips.
I haven't noticed speed relation to this yet, I will go for a spin now and see what happends.
Where would I find heater valve? Is it electronicaly testable?

Thank you!

Mless5 · Post by **Mless5** » Dec 06, 2005 6:31 PM

Follow up: head cuts off after 55mph. What the hell is the relationship between speed and heater???

RonW · Post by **RonW** » Dec 06, 2005 7:25 PM

Mless5 wrote:Follow up: head cuts off after 55mph. What the hell is the relationship between speed and heater???

Classic heater valve failure. Cheap and easy to fix yourself with a new insert.

[Edited 12/31/2007 to enable BBCode]

Mless5 · Post by **Mless5** » Dec 06, 2005 7:29 PM

[QUOTE="Mless5"]Follow up: head cuts off after 55mph. What the hell is the relationship between speed and heater???[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE="RonW"]Classic heater valve failure. Cheap and easy to fix yourself with a new insert.[/QUOTE]

Is that a BMW part or autozone will have it?

2monkeysayoyo · Post by **2monkeysayoyo** » Dec 06, 2005 7:38 PM

wow, I was gonna post this problem this evening, too! Thanks mless for doing the legwork here...I await the answer with baited breath.

spinedocab · Post by **spinedocab** » Dec 06, 2005 7:48 PM

The heater valve is probably working electrically, but the rubber diaphragm has a tear in it. When this happens the pressure builds up on one side of the valve pushing it closed. Essentially it overcomes the magnetic strength of the solenoid valve WHEN the engine RPM get beyond a certain value. Engine go faster-->water pump pump harder--->valve get pushed shut.

To fix it first aquire a core rebuild kit (as stated above), get a screwdriver,( work on a cold motor), remove 4 screws on top of valve body. Pull out guts carefully, and put back together in the same order it came out WITH the new parts. If it goes perfectly you may not even spill a drop of coolant.

Also, 2monkeys. Have you been eating sardines again?? Or worms? :p

HTH,
Andrew.

Mless5 · Post by **Mless5** » Dec 06, 2005 8:11 PM

Is this what we are talking about? %)

Andrew, thanks for your detailed explonation!

Seymour in C'ville · Post by **Seymour in C'ville** » Dec 06, 2005 8:21 PM

Get a good one from Steve H. I've replaced mine three times in three years. This time I went with the Bosch part. btw, spinedocab, my diaphragm was torn on the last one.

a · Post by a » Dec 06, 2005 11:10 PM

What they said about the heater valve has been my experience 3rd season from Bosch valve core from Steve Haygood. http://www.mye28.com/cgi-bin/forum/foru ... hread=7941 is the latest account of my forays into reviving the motors. To R+R fht firewall access plate., you need tocut a few cable ties to get some harness out of the way. There are 6 screws with 7mm hexheads. The 1 behind the head is a minor PITA to remove and I never put it back.

I will update the procedure shortly because the blower in Swarz is acting up. Ive got a rehabbed AC motor warming up for a fan swap. More on this later.

spinedocab · Post by **spinedocab** » Dec 07, 2005 1:19 AM

Get a good one from Steve H. I've replaced mine three times in three years. This time I went with the Bosch part. btw, spinedocab, my diaphragm was torn on the last one.

Seymour,
what was wrong with the other two. If the last one was torn were the other two not torn but still exhibiting similar failure modes? I must admit that the one in my car right now is NOT a bosch part. I bought it from some guy on eBay for an attractive price about two years ago, before I knew about Mr. Haygood. I didn't install it for quite some time while I sorted out the rest of the car. It has been installed for the better part of a year, BUT doesn't see a lot of dead of winter use. Only when it's clear and dry out i.e. no salt water on the roads.

thanks
Andrew

Seymour in C'ville · Post by **Seymour in C'ville** » Dec 07, 2005 6:33 AM

I didn't pay any attention to the first two. In the past I just R&R'd and enjoyed the heat. Curiosity got the better of me this time.

Marinersfan · Post by **Marinersfan** » Dec 11, 2005 9:01 PM

Can we go back to the part about the blower motor? Mine just started screamin too the other day. Now it's fairly constant at all speeds. Assuming the worst and it needs replacing how do I tell the difference between a Behr or a Sofica? Anyone know the difference? Thanks!

Mless5 · Post by **Mless5** » Dec 11, 2005 11:34 PM

[QUOTE="Marinersfan"]Can we go back to the part about the blower motor? Mine just started screamin too the other day. Now it's fairly constant at all speeds. Assuming the worst and it needs replacing how do I tell the difference between a Behr or a Sofica? Anyone know the difference? Thanks![/QUOTE]

It's not that hard to take the thing apart.

1. undo about 4-5 bolts in the firewall
2. Pull the gasket up and it will release the firewall cover so you can pry it out on the top.
3. Blower will be right in front of you. Don't touch any bolts. What you will see is two plastic covers that come off. They are C shaped. I think there are two tiny metal clips that hold them. They are right on the sides of those plastic covers.
4. Undo these and start lifting plastic pieces starting from the buttom. Be careful, "locks" are fragile.
5. Once these are off, you will se the motor itself. There is a clip in the center and that's all that holds it on place. And watch those wires! Clean, regrease and you're set.
6. You will see a sticker on the motor with brand name, and plastic covers have a name on them as well.

Good luck. If you run into difficulties, let me know. I can snap a few pictures while it' still apart.

a · Post by a » Dec 12, 2005 6:02 AM

[QUOTE="Marinersfan"]Can we go back to the part about the blower motor? Mine just started screamin too the other day. Now it's fairly constant at all speeds. Assuming the worst and it needs replacing how do I tell the difference between a Behr or a Sofica? Anyone know the difference? Thanks![/QUOTE]
If it turns out to be a Sofica, a Behr unit can be adapted to fit. The only difference is the circumference of the motor housing, Behr 's Bosch motor is smaller. I built it up by using a string as a gauge to measure the C of the Sofica. Then I used thin card board from a cracker box and electrical tape to wrap the housing until the string fit snugly. The Behr adapted blower is on its 4th season in the Grape

Marinersfan · Post by **Marinersfan** » Dec 12, 2005 11:19 AM

Cool! Hopefully it'll be warm enough to get at it today or tomorrow. It's like in the single digits here and slightly higher...BRRRRR!!!!

If it has to be replaced, where is a good source to get another one??

Thanks Mless & a!!!

a · Post by a » Dec 12, 2005 12:41 PM

[QUOTE="Marinersfan"]Cool! Hopefully it'll be warm enough to get at it today or tomorrow. It's like in the single digits here and slightly higher...BRRRRR!!!!

If it has to be replaced, where is a good source to get another one??

Thanks Mless & a!!![/QUOTE]
in your neck of the woods, if you can find an e-28 in a junk yard, grab the AC blower. They dont get as much use. Both that I have grabbed work perfectly. Use your fresh air fans on it. Rip out the console and pry apart the AC housing to remove. I took me about 20 minutes to harvest the one from my 82. Whilst the fans are off, soak the ends as described earlier. Just make sure its a Behr unit if that is what you have.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

Heater is dying...