water mystery

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

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jimmyg_e30
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Post Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:27 pm

right my e30 is drinking water but it doesnt overheat and there is no visible leaks any ideas???
TOURINGDADDY
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Post Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:46 pm

is in side the car wet (passanger floor) if so heater matrix is dead also what engine u got
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MISSY30
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Post Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:02 pm

That's interesting, Delphin has a little drink problem and the passenger footwell has been wet, I just thought it was from spilling something.
How big a job is replacing the Heater matrix?
TOURINGDADDY
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Post Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:05 pm

HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!!!!!!!!

Really i got no idea
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jimmyg_e30
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Post Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:05 pm

he he hever thought of that....foot well seems dry though.....is it a big job replacing it.....as far as i cna recall the dash has to come out right...is there any way of testing this
TOURINGDADDY
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Post Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:18 pm

a pressure test on the water sys will reveal all
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jimmyg_e30
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:05 am

is there an easy way to tell if the headgasket is gone
TOURINGDADDY
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:08 am

check the oil filler & dip stick for a mayo type substance this is caused by the water mixin with the oil
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jimmyg_e30
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:25 am

cheers for replies lads see post re changinf heater matrix
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jimmyg_e30
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:28 am

cheers for replies lads see post re changinf heater matrix
A1BMW325iSport
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 11:48 am

check for water in the exhaust, also have a good look round the heater box for signs of water leak,

if its the heater box the dash does unfortunately have to come out, its not a hard job it just takes time.

Matt
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jimmyg_e30
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:06 pm

and what if its water in the exhaust.....its going into the front passanger footwell anyways so id say its in with the heaters...
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Brianmoooore
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:13 pm

More likely to be the electric heater valve than the matrix.
Remove the panel to the right of the glovebox to check.
MAKE SURE you have a radiator pressure cap with a yellow disc on it's bottom. This was a recall years ago, and I'm still coming across loads of E30s still with the original cap. Go pester your dealer for a free new one.
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jimmyg_e30
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Post Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:16 pm

sweet i managed to get 600yo yo of the price of this car cause the head was ment to be gone but it looks like its not going to be this bad at all