Piping in the hassles.... (archive)

Proud, you DO have a leak somewhere, either the heater core itself or perhaps the plastic tubes that are in front of the heater core radiator. These tubes are O-ring sealed and with age the O rings can deteriorate and allow leaks. The plastic tubes can become brittle and crack. These plastic tubes fit into the aluminum tubes that come through the firewall and cross over in front of the heater core inside the cover. (one leads to the drivers side, one to the passengers)

If you see green, but its not hot, its probably old coolant and its been leaking slowly for some time. The heater core box is fitted with a drain that goes through a rubber grommet out the bottom of the car, so sometimes you dont actually see the leaking fluid unless it gets past the drainage system somehow or manifests in some other way (like spraying all over your carpet!), especially if the leak is small.

Its critical that you repair this right (provided thats the problem). Get new plastic pipes and O rings (I would replace the heater core while you have the car torn down that far too). Its a big job to get there and you don't want to have to do it twice! Trust me, I know! ;) BMW bills for six hours labor to R/R the heater core (I heard).. and they are experts! This is no 10 minute job.

I have reason to believe that the theft recovery I am rebuilding was intentionally "stolen" and stripped because someone did a hack job replacing the heater core which caused a blockage of the lines in the heater, drain was misaligned so the coolant was leaking under the carpet.. etc.. YUCK! And could not bear the thought or expense of repairing it correctly (or just gave up and bougt a new one with the insurance money)

Anyway,
Good luck!

Philly Bob

88 735i's (x2)

I RAN THE ENGINE 15-20 MIN. HEAT ON HIGH. DASH TOOK APART, DON'T SEE SIGNS OF ANTIFREEZE BUT SMELL IT . DON'T SEE LEAK UNDER HOOD. BEHIND HEATER CORE I GUESS IS A EVAPARATOR & CORE? ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF IT I SEE BUNCH OF SILVER & COPPER TUBE RUNNING IN AND OUT OF IT AT THE BOTTOM OF I SEE SOME GREENISH STUFF BUT NOT HOT AND DON'T SMELL LIKE. PLEASE BEFOR I BUY NEW CORE AND DON'T NEED IT!!!!

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