Heater Core Replacement

[faccen1]

Has anyone ever had to replace a heater core? I have a coolant smell coming from the A/C vents and a coolant drip that I think is coming from the drain plug.

Can the heater core be pulled out from driver side footwell? How much of the trim has to be removed?

[Weasel]

The whole dash has to be removed... it's kinda a bitch! You remove the dash, dash support frame, then the whole HVAC case including the evaporator which involves evacuating your ac. It is really a job best left to the dealer unfortunately, as it will likely cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

[faccen1]

So the heater core cover that is shown in this picture isn't for service from the drivers side footwell?

I find it hard to believe that you would have to remove the dash and then take apart the entire HVAC to replace the heater core.

If this is true, shame on BMW. Heater cores are a common wear item that are usually designed for service. I have never heard of this before.

My X5 is 2001, maybe the service procedure is different for different model years?

[Weasel]

AAh, you are right! I was thinking of most of the other models that are unfortunately tougher. That's what happens when I go from the top of my head and don't look it up! (damn memory)

The bad thing is one system shows it as an 8 hour repair to R&I the whole dash, another system shows the way I'm describing below...

So you would remove the bulkhead at the firewall under the hood, remove the heater hoses from the nipples sticking through the firewall. If you have access to compressed air, blow through the pipes to remove the excess coolant from the core as to not spill it in your interior. Remove the footwell panels, lower and upper sections of floor vent on drivers side(2 screws for top piece), floor vent on other side as well. Remove the pipes to the core (note that you will need new o-rings for re-installation) There's a clip and some screws to get the cover off. Then there is a temperature probe to get out of the way, then pull out the core.

Most of BMW's cars have the HVAC box with the evaporator, heater core, blower motor, all the flaps, etc. build all into one unit that you remove and service on a bench, requiring dash removal. All of the evaporators require dash removal. But they are wising up a bit and making certain aspects more serviceable from under the dash like the heater core, and the blower motor is a lot easier on newer models like the E70 and the E90's.

So good luck! And I will be out of town and away from the computer for 2 weeks, with my only day home being next Saturday... So no X5world for me for a couple weeks...

[faccen1]

Does anyone else have any experience with this?

I just called the stealer and they quoted $1600 for the repair because it takes 2 days and requires the dash to be removed????

Again - 2001 BMW X5 4.4 E53 sport with automatic climate control

[The Cleaner]

I have done one on an E36 recently. Here is a photo gallery of the job. Took 2 people 5 hours to finish. The job is very similar for most BMW's.

http://gallery.me.com/fletchb/100065

[The Cleaner]

The dash probably can stay in, you will see one photo where I had to drill a hole in the dash frame to get to one of the screws out of the cover. If you can worm the cover and core out the side you can save a ton of time on the job. That's what we did.