A/C Problems..

Hi Folks,

I have a 735i (E32). For sometime now I have been having problems with my ac system. The car always throws hot air in. Even when the ac is no on, hot air comes into the car and heats up the dash board. I took it to a mechanic here in san francisco and he worked on the heater core for me. It costed me a little over than 1200. Unfortunately, the problem still persists. And the crook mechnic says that its the heater case this time and its going to cost me another 1300 bucks to get the work done. I am really fed up and tired of finding a good mechnic. Can someone help me please. I am in san francisco. I DO NOT want to go to dealer as their estimate is 3000 bucks to fix this issue.

thanks
dost

Dost, if you don't mind ripping the lower part of the dash apart, do so and check to make sure that the little flap door that cuts off air flow over the heater core isn't stuck open. If it is, you could have a vaccuum leak somewhere in the system. All those little doors that distribute airflow work off vaccuum. Good luck and let us know if this helps. As these cars get a few years on them, little things start to go, but in all it is still just a car, just a really nice one:iceslolan Brad

Brad, Thanks for replying man. I appreciate your help.
I agree with you that these cars are absolutely good to drive. But this AC problems has got stuck in my throat. I have taken it to two different mechnics twice and nothing has helped. I have paid 2000 bucks on it so far.

Do you think I should take a chance and open it my self? Should I buy a repair manual? I think i can work better than those mechanics. I am just a little nervous of breakign stuff. But I sure dont wanna pay to any mechanic any more.

Will wait for your reply
thanks
dost

Dost, unfortunately there is no manual to help you with this. If you are slightly mechanically inclined I say heck yeah, tear into it. I read the dash removal instructions at one of these forums, so maybe do a search on dash removal for your model. Good luck and if I run across that post about dashes, I'll post a link. Brad

I have same problem, but at least hot air cuts off when I turn ac on.
check this one for dash removing: http://shrubbery.student.utwente.nl/

Hey guys, just found this site, maybe could be one or both .... or neither of you guys' problem. Good luck, Brad
http://www.laczik.org/BMW/repair/E38_AC/E38_AC.html

I have same problem, but at least hot air cuts off when I turn ac on.
check this one for dash removing: http://shrubbery.student.utwente.nl/

This is a grest link
i;m having to replace my heatercore $2,800 dealer price
i'm doing it myself screw the dealer!!

On E32's there is a common problem of the heater valve getting 'stuck'. When this happens, hot air is let into the cabin, regardless of the setting of the climate control. The heater valve is a proportioning valve under the hood which allows the right amount of heat to mix with the A/C to produce air at the right temperature.

Bentley's is a good repair manual. If you don't have one, it comes highly recommended.

You can do a Google search on the Web under 'E32 Heater Valve' and come up with some good pointers to forum's which discuss various symptoms.

Good luck.

rick