A week on with the 520i SE Touring

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Steve Parry - 11 Feb 2005 09:06 GMT

Well first week is over and I'm still pleased with it.

I posted previously (that John Burns kindly responded to) about an issue
with the computer reading temperature as -37C and a lack of "flow" with
the heater.

To sum up

1. The OBC reads -37C .. John's recommended checking the temp sensor in
the lower front spoiler.

2. The heater issue, the fan works at all its speeds etc but although
the fan speed increases, airflow does'nt ... again John recommended
checking the microfilter for blockage. Can I just use it removed it in
the short term to test? I've also tried tapping the heater solenoid
thing in the engine bay in case they were stuck.

3. The rear demister does'nt seem to work. Checked the fuse under the
rear seat and all appears OK there. Not checked the relay yet.

I'm just wondering if this could all be indicative of a common problem
like a dead heater computer (if there is such a thing?) or something.

It's all a pain cos there's just enough warmth getting into the car to
cause it to mist up slightly but not enough flow or heat to clear it ..

Oh and there is now smell of coolant or damp carpets in the car so I've
dismissed a leaking heater matrix

Any pointers will be much appreciated.

Signature

Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

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JB - 11 Feb 2005 19:30 GMT

> Well first week is over and I'm still pleased with it.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> 1. The OBC reads -37C .. John's recommended checking the temp sensor in
> the lower front spoiler.

10min job to check connections/sensor.

> 2. The heater issue, the fan works at all its speeds etc but although
> the fan speed increases, airflow does'nt ... again John recommended
> checking the microfilter for blockage. Can I just use it removed it in
> the short term to test? I've also tried tapping the heater solenoid
> thing in the engine bay in case they were stuck.

Heater control valves have no relation to airflow. Get a new microfilter and
clean intakes as previously suggested by the other JB.
(www.eurocarparts.co.uk is your friend here)

> 3. The rear demister does'nt seem to work. Checked the fuse under the
> rear seat and all appears OK there. Not checked the relay yet.

Almost certainly wiring loom damage near hinges on tailgate. common problem.
See http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/E34Touring/Harness.htm for
advice advice on this. (you can usually repair rather than replace the whole
loom section)

> I'm just wondering if this could all be indicative of a common problem
> like a dead heater computer (if there is such a thing?) or something.

No.

> It's all a pain cos there's just enough warmth getting into the car to
> cause it to mist up slightly but not enough flow or heat to clear it ..
>
> Oh and there is now smell of coolant or damp carpets in the car so I've
> dismissed a leaking heater matrix

*No* or *now*? Smell of coolant = don't drive it until you fix it. M50
engines are *not* tolerant of cooling system problems.

> Any pointers will be much appreciated.

1. Turn off the stereo and enjoy the sound of the engine between 4-6000rpm.
2. weep when you fill her up.

JB

E34 520i Tourer 1993. 345,000miles and still luverly...

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Steve Parry - 11 Feb 2005 20:04 GMT

JB fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

>> Well first week is over and I'm still pleased with it.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> 10min job to check connections/sensor.

Thats on the list for this weekend weather permitting :o)

>> 2. The heater issue, the fan works at all its speeds etc but although
>> the fan speed increases, airflow does'nt ... again John recommended
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> microfilter and clean intakes as previously suggested by the other JB.
> (www.eurocarparts.co.uk is your friend here)

That's gonna be my first port of call, thanks.

>> 3. The rear demister does'nt seem to work. Checked the fuse under the
>> rear seat and all appears OK there. Not checked the relay yet.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> advice advice on this. (you can usually repair rather than replace
> the whole loom section)

Cheers another job on the list

>> I'm just wondering if this could all be indicative of a common
>> problem like a dead heater computer (if there is such a thing?) or
>> something.
>
> No.

Kewl

>> It's all a pain cos there's just enough warmth getting into the car
>> to cause it to mist up slightly but not enough flow or heat to clear
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> *No* or *now*? Smell of coolant = don't drive it until you fix it. M50
> engines are *not* tolerant of cooling system problems.

Sorry ... typo ... it was " *NO* coolant" :o)

>> Any pointers will be much appreciated.
>>
> 1. Turn off the stereo and enjoy the sound of the engine between
> 4-6000rpm.
> 2. weep when you fill her up.

To be honest I'm still relishing the silky silence of up to 4000rpm
compared to the chugging diesel 4x4 I had before :o)

Cheers JB

Signature

Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

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JB - 11 Feb 2005 21:05 GMT

> JB fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

<snippetyo..>

> >> it ..
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Sorry ... typo ... it was " *NO* coolant" :o)

That's good.

> >> Any pointers will be much appreciated.
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> To be honest I'm still relishing the silky silence of up to 4000rpm
> compared to the chugging diesel 4x4 I had before :o)

Give it a really good service with fully synth and genuine filters and a
new set of plugs and then give it an Italian tuneup!

> Cheers JB

No probs.
UKRM Uber Alles as they say round some other parts......

JB

"No User Serviceable Parts Iside. ................Let me be the f.cking
judge of that!"

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Steve Parry - 11 Feb 2005 21:13 GMT

JB fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

>> JB fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

<snip>

> UKRM Uber Alles as they say round some other parts......
>
> JB

ah ...... oh yes ....... did'nt twig that I'd seen you posting in UKRM

:o)

Signature

Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

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Harri Holopainen - 11 Feb 2005 21:41 GMT

>1. The OBC reads -37C .. John's recommended checking the temp sensor in
>the lower front spoiler.

either that, or the global warming is a myth :)

>2. The heater issue, the fan works at all its speeds etc but although
>the fan speed increases, airflow does'nt ... again John recommended
>checking the microfilter for blockage. Can I just use it removed it in
>the short term to test? I've also tried tapping the heater solenoid

should be possible. that's the most likely reason for bad air flow
too. you'll be able to see if the filter is no good...

>thing in the engine bay in case they were stuck.

that thing is IIRC a water valve, which does not affect the
amount of air. there are a bunch of vent flaps under the dashboard,
but it should be very unlikely that all of them would be stuck
closed. all the valve and vent problems tend to result in problems
with the air temperature, not air flow as such.

>3. The rear demister does'nt seem to work. Checked the fuse under the
>rear seat and all appears OK there. Not checked the relay yet.

see if the demister gets voltage. most likely reason: wiring in the
rear hatch is broken. this is typical for tourings and may result in
funky behavior (such as turning on the rear wiper opens the rear
hatch). you can get to the wiring harness by removing the plastic
covers in the rear hatch left & right side.

>I'm just wondering if this could all be indicative of a common problem
>like a dead heater computer (if there is such a thing?) or something.

I almost wrote that the rear defroster is not computer controlled, but
then remembered that the defroster actually turns itself off after a
couple of minutes :)

>It's all a pain cos there's just enough warmth getting into the car to
>cause it to mist up slightly but not enough flow or heat to clear it ..
>
>Oh and there is now smell of coolant or damp carpets in the car so I've
>dismissed a leaking heater matrix

now = no? :)

>Any pointers will be much appreciated.

your local stealer should have a diagnostic device for the heater
controller. then again, it's most likely just the blocked microfilter.

--
harri
525ixT -95

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Steve Parry - 11 Feb 2005 21:50 GMT

Harri Holopainen fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

> ..

<snip>

Thanks Harri

I've got a list of jobs and pointers now :o) ... oh and it was "NO
smell"

Signature

Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

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