heater core

[Dakar M3 97]

How hard is it to replace the heater core? When I turn on my heat, I smell antifreeze but there is nothing on the pass side floor or anywhere else. I am also loosing a small amount of antifreeze. Should I try some Bar's / Liquid Aluminum Radiator Stop Leak first? Bar's Leaks Liquid Aluminum Stop Leak

[92318is]

It depends on where the antifreeze leak is coming from. First, let me ask you this...have you done the manditory cooling system fix yet? Radiator, expansion tank, water pump, hoses, thermostat, and thermostat housing? If not, I would do that no matter what else, because more than likely every one of those things is going to fail in your e36. If you have done all of that, and you've determined the leak isn't coming from a hose or a loose fitting, check your oil, make sure you're not leaking antifreeze into the block. Also, where is the needle on your temperature guage in all of this? Have you ever had overheating problems before? If you're not getting any heat, your thermostat maybe stuck, hence the aforementioned cooling system fix.

Give us an update, let us know what you have/have not done

[92318is]

Oh, sorry, as to the question about replacing the heater core, I've never done it before, so I don't know how hard it would be to do. But if you haven't done all of the stuff I mentioned in my first post, do that first. Like I said, if the cooling system isn't your problem here, it needs to be replaced anyway.

[Dakar M3 97]

Originally Posted by 92318is

It depends on where the antifreeze leak is coming from. First, let me ask you this...have you done the manditory cooling system fix yet? Radiator, expansion tank, water pump, hoses, thermostat, and thermostat housing? If not, I would do that no matter what else, because more than likely every one of those things is going to fail in your e36. If you have done all of that, and you've determined the leak isn't coming from a hose or a loose fitting, check your oil, make sure you're not leaking antifreeze into the block. Also, where is the needle on your temperature guage in all of this? Have you ever had overheating problems before? If you're not getting any heat, your thermostat maybe stuck, hence the aforementioned cooling system fix.

Give us an update, let us know what you have/have not done

This summer I replaced the rad, thermostate, rad lines, water pump, the fan clutch. No anitfreeze in the oil, and the needle once the system is warmed up sits just above the middle and does not move at all (summer and winter). Never had overheating problems, and I do get heat but is smells like anitfreeze.

[Dakar M3 97]

Originally Posted by 92318is

Oh, sorry, as to the question about replacing the heater core, I've never done it before, so I don't know how hard it would be to do. But if you haven't done all of the stuff I mentioned in my first post, do that first. Like I said, if the cooling system isn't your problem here, it needs to be replaced anyway.

hey lol you have a gs-t, i have a 90 talon tsi awd with a 50 trim on it. the bmw is my everyday car lol.

[92318is]

Originally Posted by Dakar M3 97

This summer I replaced the rad, thermostate, rad lines, water pump, the fan clutch. No anitfreeze in the oil, and the needle once the system is warmed up sits just above the middle and does not move at all (summer and winter). Never had overheating problems, and I do get heat but is smells like anitfreeze.

Oh, sorry man, I've never had experience with a heater core, wish I could help out more. But there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum, it just takes a day or so to get a good response sometimes

Yeah, the first car I ever bought was the '92 318is, the I had all of those cooling problems, my cat caught on fire, and a few other things My dad and I fixed it all up and sold it for $3,800. Then I bought the Eclipse. Its nice, and fast as hell...but just not as engaging/fun to drive as a bimmer, even my underpowered 318. I think its the 50/50 weight distribution coupled with the rwd...that's why I want to get an e36 m3 so badly! I loved the 318, and I can't imagine how awesome an m3 would be