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Subject: HEATER CORE Replacement RED ALERT - I need your tips for... Author: davidsoine : member since September, 2004 : 870 posts Posted on: 2004-09-01 10:26:44

Steering column removal (!), removing trim below steering column, loosening/removing the left IP support stanchion.

I have already removed the console - the whole front cover of the climate control must be removed, and there is no clearance to do so because of the IP support stanchions. BMW service manual says the left stanchion should be removed.

I am taking some pics of the trickier parts, and will submit them here when the job is done!

Vehicle is a 97 740iL, built May '96.

Symptoms: Strong (to me) coolant smell when the heater functions - cool mornings, and when you have the dual zone climate control set to different temps! No visible leakage.

I have been scanning our e38 forums for months in preparation for this job...seems like I'm the first one to really take it on - though I gotta believe someone else has done it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide on this massive job...

Dave

740iL
Liberty, MO

• HEATER CORE Replacement RED ALERT - I need your tips for... - davidsoine 2004-09-01 10:26:44 (1883 views)
  • Just a thought here... AC Evap while you're at it? (m) - wiseassbill 2004-09-03 14:32:12 (386 views)
  • Should I just replace the O-rings? Or the whole core & pipes?..time is a factor - davidsoine 2004-09-03 00:57:11 (504 views)
    • I've seen three heater cores in three types of BMW's. In each case, the leak - DavidC 2004-09-03 04:29:03 (536 views)
      • The o-rings are available separately. The current challenge is.. - davidsoine 2004-09-03 11:23:50 (409 views)
        • OK now I wait for o-rings...on their way...the core looks good. (m) - davidsoine 2004-09-03 22:07:47 (342 views)
  • Wondering what a 97 heater core looks like? WARNING strong images... (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-03 00:54:30 (803 views)
    • You are a brave soul. - DavidC 2004-09-03 04:30:42 (308 views)
      • The column must come out to remove the tubular metal structure... - davidsoine 2004-09-03 11:31:07 (446 views)
        • More pics and explanations... (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-03 22:41:28 (704 views)
  • Re: HEATER CORE Replacement RED ALERT - I need your tips for... (pic) - ifixm 2004-09-01 18:33:58 (847 views)
    • Yikes! You pulled the whole box! The service manual says... - davidsoine 2004-09-02 00:01:41 (535 views)
    • That looks a helluva lot cleaner than my e23 did with the dash heater box out (pic) - DavidC 2004-09-01 20:00:23 (572 views)
  • I'm very interested in this topic. Please take as many photos as you can. - DavidC 2004-09-01 11:40:36 (403 views)
    • I'll make every effort NOT to remove the whole dash... - davidsoine 2004-09-01 12:05:29 (461 views)
      • Re: I'll make every effort NOT to remove the whole dash... - tolms 2004-09-02 00:36:55 (438 views)
        • Is the torque pretty high on that?... - davidsoine 2004-09-02 12:21:58 (300 views)