dumb question of the night

[Armond]

vent is blowing hot air while driving even when the fan is off and temp setting is at cold. What gives?

[Supergeek]

Your heater valve might be stuck in the open position.

[Armond]

Your heater valve might be stuck in the open position.

so how do i fix this?

[Supergeek]

Open the hood and look at the heater valve. Its on the passenger side of the car. See if the control cable is still attached to it. Move the temp. knob and see if the heater valve arm moves back and forth. If the valve is stuck, new ones are pricey. Ive never fixed or restored one. Im sure others will chime in with thier experiences. Mine would stick and I sprayed it with WD40 and it moved again. But I know I probably need new one. Good luck

David

[RIMSPOKE]

ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS A MISSING OR POORLY INSTALLED

HOOD SEAL . THIS IS THE PIECE THAT FITS INSIDE THE HOOD THAT KEEPS MOTOR AIR OUT OF THE HEATER BOX .

[Mike Self]

have heater valves with little holes drilled thru the valve itself, so that even when closed a small amount of water flows thru the valve. Reason: to allow water circulation in the heater year-round so things didn't get gummed up.

However, it's only noticeable on a really warm day, so I'd guess that the control cable is sticking or the valve itself is stuck. There should be some archive postings on removing and dismantling the heater valve. Three things to watch out for:

1. When removing the valve, unbolt the lever from the valve body; do not remove the cable from the lever. It's a gold-plated PITA to reinstall. And be SURE and note exactly how the lever bolts to the valve and the control lever's position (all the way hot or cold). It's real easy to get it backwards, so you have cold air when the control is set to hot and vice versa.

2. Be gentle when removing the valve from the heater. It's fastened to a flimsy plastic piece that breaks easily.

3. Take your time removing the two screws that hold the valve together. They're steel, screwed into a brass body. Can't heat 'em too much as the later valves are plastic and you'll melt 'em. When you do get 'em out, replace with stainless steel screws from the hardware store.

[Napes]

It's also possible that your heater box flapper-valves are not closing tightly, or the foam material on them has long since gone south, so that outside air is infiltrating the cockpit.

Bob Napier

[Armond]

Thanks for all the tips gents. I appreciate it.

[ingraham]

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/content/view/73/32/