Advice on 325i e36 1992 sedan

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325Jay

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Joined: 10-January-2006
Location: Dublin
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Points: 23

Topic: Advice on 325i e36 1992 sedan
Posted: 17-January-2006 at 12:40

Hi guys need some advice my heater only blows hot air for a while and i have to replace the swicth on the heater unit anyway cause it only works on setting four also the computer in it keeps saying it needs coolant i just replaced a coolant pipe on the car and im sure i bleed it right so any help would be great thanks Jay

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Peter Fenwick View Drop Down

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Joined: 27-August-2003
Location: Lost somewhere in time...
Status: Offline
Points: 6484

Posted: 18-January-2006 at 04:37

You may have an airlock, when you bled the system did you have the heaters on full?

Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

325Jay

Newbie

Joined: 10-January-2006
Location: Dublin
Status: Offline
Points: 23

Posted: 18-January-2006 at 10:36

No mate why would that make a difference i never done that on any previouse cars ive worked on.

Peter Fenwick View Drop Down

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Joined: 27-August-2003
Location: Lost somewhere in time...
Status: Offline
Points: 6484

Posted: 18-January-2006 at 12:21

All the srevice amnuals I've ever read state that when changing coolant you should set the heaters to full on. I think it is because when the heaters are set to cold the heater matix is isolated from the rest of the coolant curcuit. So when you come to drain the collant or bleed the system you have a section of it that is isolated.

TBH air locks normally work their way out over time so I would give the car a good run with the heater on full. Then check the level in the expansion tank. If there is not drop in level try bleeding the system again.

If it isn't an airlock, it could be a problme with the thermostat. What is your coolant temperature guage doing? Does it stay bang in the centre all the time when the car has warmed up or does the needle move around? How long does the car take to warm up?

Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

325Jay

Newbie

Joined: 10-January-2006
Location: Dublin
Status: Offline
Points: 23

Posted: 19-January-2006 at 10:47

Your right mate i dont know where my head was at yesterday but i bleed it and i have hot air know.But it still puts up the low coolant display on the computer and im told it only works on setting 4 cause the resister pack is gone what yas think thanks

russ320

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Joined: 28-December-2004
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Points: 75

Posted: 19-January-2006 at 11:16

bm's are renowned for air locks you need the car well warmed up then open bleed screw You should see it drop in level. Then topping up as you go. it can take a while and a few atempts to get it right.The heaters a rubbish anyway unless mine is not right yet. For a 20,000 + car. Though that is my only complaint about a good car in other area's. Good luck.

bmw325tds

Really Senior Member I

Joined: 05-February-2005
Status: Offline
Points: 361

Posted: 19-January-2006 at 11:42

Is the coolant actually getting low in the expansion tank? If not, then it'll be the coolant level sensor that's gone. No effect apart from the annoying reminder on the computer.

To change, you will need to unscrew it and lose some coolant. You don't need to drain the system, but you will need to be quick when you swap them over!

Carl

Ford Focus 1.8TDdi Estate
Ford Focus 1.8TDdi
Porsche 944 Turbo

BM's gone, but maybe only temporary!

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
325Jay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10-January-2006 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 23	Topic: Advice on 325i e36 1992 sedan Posted: 17-January-2006 at 12:40
	Hi guys need some advice my heater only blows hot air for a while and i have to replace the swicth on the heater unit anyway cause it only works on setting four also the computer in it keeps saying it needs coolant i just replaced a coolant pipe on the car and im sure i bleed it right so any help would be great thanks Jay

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Peter Fenwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484	Posted: 18-January-2006 at 04:37
	You may have an airlock, when you bled the system did you have the heaters on full?
	Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

325Jay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10-January-2006 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 23	Posted: 18-January-2006 at 10:36
	No mate why would that make a difference i never done that on any previouse cars ive worked on.

Peter Fenwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484	Posted: 18-January-2006 at 12:21
	All the srevice amnuals I've ever read state that when changing coolant you should set the heaters to full on. I think it is because when the heaters are set to cold the heater matix is isolated from the rest of the coolant curcuit. So when you come to drain the collant or bleed the system you have a section of it that is isolated. TBH air locks normally work their way out over time so I would give the car a good run with the heater on full. Then check the level in the expansion tank. If there is not drop in level try bleeding the system again. If it isn't an airlock, it could be a problme with the thermostat. What is your coolant temperature guage doing? Does it stay bang in the centre all the time when the car has warmed up or does the needle move around? How long does the car take to warm up?
	Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

325Jay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10-January-2006 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 23	Posted: 19-January-2006 at 10:47
	Your right mate i dont know where my head was at yesterday but i bleed it and i have hot air know.But it still puts up the low coolant display on the computer and im told it only works on setting 4 cause the resister pack is gone what yas think thanks

russ320 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 28-December-2004 Status: Offline Points: 75	Posted: 19-January-2006 at 11:16
	bm's are renowned for air locks you need the car well warmed up then open bleed screw You should see it drop in level. Then topping up as you go. it can take a while and a few atempts to get it right.The heaters a rubbish anyway unless mine is not right yet. For a 20,000 + car. Though that is my only complaint about a good car in other area's. Good luck.

bmw325tds Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 05-February-2005 Status: Offline Points: 361	Posted: 19-January-2006 at 11:42
	Is the coolant actually getting low in the expansion tank? If not, then it'll be the coolant level sensor that's gone. No effect apart from the annoying reminder on the computer. To change, you will need to unscrew it and lose some coolant. You don't need to drain the system, but you will need to be quick when you swap them over!
	Carl Ford Focus 1.8TDdi Estate Ford Focus 1.8TDdi Porsche 944 Turbo BM's gone, but maybe only temporary!