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Re: 320i Heating problems

	Oh good, I'm not the only person with this problem.  According to 
a local mechanic, the problem is that the vent is not sealing all the way 
allowing cold air to leak in and mix with the heated air.   The problem 
is that I don't know how to fix it!!!   I assume that your heater like 
mine also will get cold if driving on the freeway in temps less than 
about 40?   If you figure out how to fix this please let me know as my 
car is getting cold inside.

> 
> From: Paul Lockbaum <lockbaum@domain.elided>
> Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 12:21:28 -0500 (CDT)
> Subject: 81 320i heating problem
> 
> I've got an 81 320i with a heating problem.  The engine makes
> heat (new thermostat) but does not seem to have flow to the
> heater core.  
> 
> I checked the manual control valve (took it off) and it is 
> working fine.  I verified that it opens fully when operating. 
> I flushed the core and there are no restrictions.  I removed 
> the water-pump and used a snake-tool to check for restrictions 
> in the metal line running from the pump to the core on the 
> drivers side of the engine.  None were found.
> 
> At less than 30 degrees (F), when the engine is running and the 
> blower is turned on, the line running into the core is hot (almost 
> too hot to hold for more than a 10 seconds).  The line exiting the 
> core is ice cold.  If you leave the fan off, let the engine run 
> and switch the fan on you momentarily get great amounts of heat 
> until the core cools.
> 
> I flushed the engine with water and put new coolant in last winter.
> 
> Could the blockage be in the block itself (scale)?  Or, is there 
> something wrong with the pump?  The pump impeller is in very good
> condition.  Is there a metal plate on the back of the pump that
> directs flow through the block (like on Ford small blocks).  
> This pump has no such plate and the Haynes manual does not show
> one.  My repair experience with this brand of car is limited and
> I don't know the auto's history before 1995.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> Paul Lockbaum        lockbaum@domain.elided    715-726-2823
>