Poor heater - is this normal?

Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:43 pm

The heater in my M40 316 seems to take an age to get going & never really chucks the heat out. You can leave it on full & never feel too hot.

Car never overheats & temp gauge is just shy of midway. Fitted a new stat couple of years ago which helped a bit.

Is this normal? I've been told E30 heaters were never very effective but in comparison the heater on my 635 will melt your shoes.

Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:56 pm

Sounds like you could have an air lock sir, possibly try bleeding the system form the bleed screw next to the reservoir tank cap (on radiator)

bleed it with the heaters on at fan setting 4 and full heat, all vents open.

check the bleed screw regularly and only close it once only coolant comes out.

Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:15 pm

and squeeze the hoses gently while its going, leave the expansion tank cap off and you'll be able to see the bubbles released when you get the airlock.

Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:42 pm

Hi M40 heater very hot

when temp. needle in middle.

Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:59 pm

re bleed the coolant with the heater on full all vents open!

E30 heaters are the best in the business, literally

Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:00 pm

defo an air lock, E30 heaters are even better than Ford's heaters!!!

Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:04 pm

stuartgallafant wrote:defo an air lock, E30 heaters are even better than Ford's heaters!!!

still not a patch on my bro's skoda felicia-melts your face within seconds!

Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:23 am

sorry lads SAAB heaters are the best, its like a sauna in an old 900.

However, my 325 is lovely and toasty when its not bloody airlocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:31 am

Excellent advice, i will try this, as i was thinking about changing my whole heater matrix. I love this forum

Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:22 pm

spence_star wrote:Excellent advice, i will try this, as i was thinking about changing my whole heater matrix. I love this forum

good stuff sir, its all about the e30's

Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:18 pm

dAMN RIGHT i love the e30's

Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:35 pm

Well I tried bleeding it as per the Bentley manual ie. engine off but that didn't seem to work so tried with the engine running & I got quite a bit of air out.

Heater responds quicker & is certainly hotter than before.

Had the coolant changed 2 years ago when I got the car & the heater has always been crap! Should have investigated before now, especially as it's due a coolant change again!

Cheers for the help