JESUS!!! STEAM IN THE CABIN!

Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:09 am

Hey guys i need some urgent help. I was travelling along the motor way and I heard a little pop then Steam started bellowing into the cabin of the car through the air vents!!! Luckily I was just getting to a round about and wasn't at high speed! Does anyone know what might be wrong, I had the aircon on to about 2 the heating was on to full and the temp gauge was showing about halfway between the red and blue, the check coolant light is also on. I'm planning on taking it down to Wilco's on my lunch break in case its just a pipe that has popped off. Any thoughts on what might have gone wrong?

Thanks in advance guys.

Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:14 am

heater matrix i'd say

Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:15 am

VW-will wrote:heater matrix i'd say

+1 dont think it can be anythink else

Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:24 am

Check your coolant cap. Does it have a yellow core with "130" written on it? If not, that is probably the cause so make sure you get a new one before you get back on the road.

Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:36 pm

Morat wrote:Check your coolant cap. Does it have a yellow core with "130" written on it? If not, that is probably the cause so make sure you get a new one before you get back on the road.

Under the Coolant Cap is written "Reutuer", there are some numbers along the rim but nothing that say "130" as you've described. I have a mobile Mech guy coming to have a quick look at this at my work for me but i dont want to get rapped as i'm not well versed with the goings on under the bonnet. If it is a heater matrix then there about£30 on the net from what i can tell. Any additional info you could give me would be more than invaluable. Thanx

Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:51 pm

Yup does indeed sound like your heater matrix has gone pop. Haven't had one go on my E30 but had 2 Golfs that had this prob. The Mk1 was fairly easy removal of centre consol, but Mk2 needed most of dashboard taking out to replace which wasn't a 5min job!!! Have a look with the search function to see what you come up with- probably won't be too expensive to purchase but fitting it may be!! Haven't done an E30

Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:54 pm

heater valve most likely suspect, down in the passenger footwell to the bottom right of the glovebox.

Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:55 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:heater valve most likely suspect, down in the passenger footwell to the bottom right of the glovebox.

That sounds easier to fix!!

Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:48 pm

heater valve most likely suspect, down in the passenger footwell to the bottom right of the glovebox

+1, a much easier fix mate!!

Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:53 pm

The guys come round and said its the heating matrix charged me £25 and by passed the heating matrix.. Need a new one, looked on the net and i'm getting quotes for new £50 inc p&p. Today couldn't get any worse...

Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:12 pm

IT will when you realise that you'll need the dash out to replace it. Sorry chap, but it's got to be done. On the upside, it's a great time to get that new speaker cable wired in, your instrument cluster checked for loose brass nuts and leaky batteries. If you've got an OBC you can swap the lighting bar and button bulb too!

The reason I asked about the coolant cap is that there was a recall to replace them all with the "130" model to prevent exactly this drama occurring. Make sure you get a new one, the last one I got was under a tenner from the dealer.

Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:44 pm

Morat wrote:IT will when you realise that you'll need the dash out to replace it. Sorry chap, but it's got to be done. On the upside, it's a great time to get that new speaker cable wired in, your instrument cluster checked for loose brass nuts and leaky batteries. If you've got an OBC you can swap the lighting bar and button bulb too!

The reason I asked about the coolant cap is that there was a recall to replace them all with the "130" model to prevent exactly this drama occurring. Make sure you get a new one, the last one I got was under a tenner from the dealer.

How much u recon that'll cost me in labour?

Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:56 pm

What Morat is saying above makes a lot of sense.

What can often be the cause if ruptures in the cooling system is down to the incorrect pressure cap being fitted to the header tank, these were subject to a recall by BMW, which is why Miles was asking if you had the yellow 130 cap.

Usually it is the heater valve which sits right near the matrix which fails, unless the mechanic dude who came over to look removed lots of interior trim, I doubt he could even see the matrix to diagnose that as being the part at fault. Generally speaking, E30 heater matrix don't fail very often.

I would continue to suspect the heater valve has gone rather than the matrix, which is much better news than having to completely remove the dashboard etc.

What the mechanic has done is join the 2 heater pipes together under the bonnet so as to bypass the heater system in the car. This means you'll have no hot air inside the car at all during these rather cold days.

I would seriously get another person to look at it before getting raped for the labour for a matrix replacement.

A member on here called Sweep works on E30's and he is Sheffield way.

Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:54 pm

Definitely get it checked out by a specialist. My local garage still took the dash out for a heater matrix valve. I think you need someone with "the knowledge"!

Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:55 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:What Morat is saying above makes a lot of sense.

What can often be the cause if ruptures in the cooling system is down to the incorrect pressure cap being fitted to the header tank, these were subject to a recall by BMW, which is why Miles was asking if you had the yellow 130 cap.

Usually it is the heater valve which sits right near the matrix which fails, unless the mechanic dude who came over to look removed lots of interior trim, I doubt he could even see the matrix to diagnose that as being the part at fault. Generally speaking, E30 heater matrix don't fail very often.

I would continue to suspect the heater valve has gone rather than the matrix, which is much better news than having to completely remove the dashboard etc.

What the mechanic has done is join the 2 heater pipes together under the bonnet so as to bypass the heater system in the car. This means you'll have no hot air inside the car at all during these rather cold days.

I would seriously get another person to look at it before getting raped for the labour for a matrix replacement.

A member on here called Sweep works on E30's and he is Sheffield way.

Thanks Mate, you're right he had a bit of a dig around the console and pulled back the plastic round the centre console and asked me to put some water into the colllant to see if it'd start pissin. It did n he came back saying he recond the Heating Matrix has had it. I'll try getting in contact with this Sweeps guy that before getting a new Heater Matrix. How do i get in contact this Sweep fella?

Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:58 pm

Click on this link and go to the "PM me" button, which will send a private message to him, his name is Pete.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... le&u=24473

Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:58 pm

Morat wrote:Definitely get it checked out by a specialist. My local garage still took the dash out for a heater matrix valve. I think you need someone with "the knowledge"!

someone with e30 knowledge is the way forward with a job like this. changing the matrix is possible with out removing the dash, removing the dash to replace the heater valve is just plain daft.