bmw e30 325i sport interior heater leak

[Ivan2terrible]

As the topic states, I want to replace heater core, how big a job is it to do. Winter around the corner here, and the engine hoses from the cylinder head not connected due to leak in the interior...

[Brianmoooore]

Which side is your steering wheel, and are you sure it's not the electric valve leaking?

[Ivan2terrible]

Right hand side... Guy I bought the car from told me it leaks. Had the car 2yrs now, but never bothered.. Where is the electric valve situated? Inside?

[Brianmoooore]

Valve is on the LH side of the heater box. The pipe stub, where the lower heater hose connects under the bonnet, is actually part of it. Dozens of these fail to every matrix that leaks.
Remove the access panel above the glove box, and then the panel on the right of the glovebox, and you can just about see it. If it has failed it will have pushed apart at the join between the top and bottom half, and there will be stains from evaporated coolant running down the side of it.
If your car has a 1.4 bar coolant pressure cap, the problem can be caused by a fault that can arise with the original caps. There was a safety recall in 1997, where all of the caps should have been replaced by BMW, but I come across plenty still with the originals fitted.

[Ivan2terrible]

Thx Brainmoooore, I'll have a look @ it asap.. Jus been lazy to actually connect up and trace leak....