Hi,

I have had my 840Ci for three weeks now and it has passed its oil service with Sytners in Sheffield and I have two questions for you guys who have had an 8er for far longer than I.

Question 1 - having looked on the ClubE31 website I notice one of the maintenance problems to watch for is ventilation system running with the smell of coolant. When I put the heating on I get the smell of something coming through which reminds of the smell when the heater matrix failed into our Espace.

Has anyone experienced this and does anybody have a better idea than Sytners what it is. They said they could find nothing wrong.

Question 2- Does anybody know of an independent garage around South Yorkshire with experience of 8s.

Thanks

Henners

Hi Henners, Hope you've been enjoying your 840

Q1

- does the coolant/glycol smell get worse when heat is turned up? is there any fogging on inside of windscreen with warm engine and heat on high?

- ask mechanic to check the microfilter assembly, check the hoses that connect to the auxiliary coolant pump and heater core

- check heater control valve, often replacing this fixes problem and is lot cheaper than replacing heater core. (i would do this first)

- note also a while back, BMW issued a recall on the radiator cap to reduce system pressure during high temps. There was a tendency to overpressure the system and rupture the heater cores. I have heard of some owners letting engine run for 5 min with cap off to equalise system pressure after coolant change to fix smell problem too! If this cap has not been replaced you may be eligble for warranty claim on heater core.

- if you do need to isolate a leaking core: Turn off HVAC system ("0"), then dial the drivers heat dial to full cold and then into the detent. This powers the heater valves shut, other wise the E31 will activate the system in the background automatically to lubricate the seals.

Q2 - Sorry, can't help there.  My only advice is if you need to travel further to find a dealer with a mechanic that has experience working on an 8 then do it!

Regards

Skip

Thanks

Maybe I will drive to Albany WA, where my uncle lives and look for a mechanic there. Thanks for the advice, Ill check the recall first as that would be free.