456 heater core | FerrariChat

456 heater core

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by chris_columbia, Sep 11, 2017.

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  1. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    Feb 5, 2008
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    Chris
  2. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    BTW, the heater core has a BMW part number 641113843259 stamped on it, but it doesn't show up in a search. At least not on any USA websites.
     
  3. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2010
    1,723
    Amsterdam
    well done on the disassembly! As for the BMW part number, I have found there are a number of BMW 850 parts on the 456 and 550 range. This could be another.
     
  4. 166&456

    166&456 Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2010
    1,723
    Amsterdam
    :)ferraridriver beat me to it.
    the 850 is dual zone heater so the e34 5 series it must be. Should be easy enough to find also new.
     
  5. tantumaude

    tantumaude Formula Junior
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    Be wary of the E34 interchange. Some E34s came with different climate control systems (IHKA vs IHKR), so they may not necessarily work. I found out the hard way on a 535i.
     
  6. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    Thanks for the link ferraridriver, but obviously that's not a USA location, and I can't see the pictures. I guess for the price, could be worth it. I went to rockauto, and the picture looks correct for a 1995 540, but they don't list the BWM part number, so it would be a guess. I guess I could just get it and return if it's not right...
     
  7. Graeme Lambert

    Jul 14, 2021
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    Graeme Lambert
    Apologies for bringing up an old thread here, but did anyone ever confirm that the BMW core (641113843259) was the correct one for a 456?

    (Seems my Evaporator core has failed, so now going down the expensive route of fixing)
     
  8. asgor

    asgor Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2016
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    Virginia, USA
    Graeme Lambert likes this.
  9. Graeme Lambert

    Jul 14, 2021
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    Exactly, if that is the right part then there are a number of good new OE equivalent parts that can be used so be great if someone who has done this could confirm (still doesn't help with my potential labour costs)
     
  10. tantumaude

    tantumaude Formula Junior
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    The BMW part number has one too many digits, it should only have 11.
     
  11. Graeme Lambert

    Jul 14, 2021
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    Ok so confirmation that the BMW part doesn't fit then?

    I guess the best method might just be a custom core, which probably isn't that expensive. Assuming you can get into the heater box without it just disintegrating on you of course...

    Question is, do I let the (very reputed and admittedly reasonably priced per hour) specialist dismantle and put back together, or do I give the interior removal a go myself. Car is at the specialists so not as simple as me just doing it on my drive before the car heads off to the workshop...
     
  12. tantumaude

    tantumaude Formula Junior
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    No idea if it fits or not, all I know is that the number provided is not a BMW part number. I did a bit of digging, and it looks like there is a BMW heater core that has that number minus the final 9--so 64111384325, which was superseded by 64111384725.
    It is only found on early (pre-Sept '91) euro-spec E34s WITHOUT air conditioning; as an added wrinkle though those cars could have either a Siemens or Valeo unit--you'd need to get the Valeo version. It corresponds to Nissens 70502 as generic equivalent.

    A custom core will definitely work; in terms of the work I'd say let them do it if they already have the car. It'd be insulting them otherwise IMO.
     
  13. Graeme Lambert

    Jul 14, 2021
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    Agree, the only reason the thought of doing some of the interior strip out entered my head is they have quote 50 hours labour to remove and refit the interior - cost of sorting the leaking core is on top of that...
     
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  14. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    Wow, my post from 5yrs ago! Somewhere in another post, I think I did a write up on my solution for the heater core and it didn't involve anything from BMW.

    So first thing, if you have a leaking heater core; I would disconnect it from the cooling system. This can be done via the hoses that connect to it in the passenger compartment or in the lower right fender area where the extra electric water pump is. That way you're not dripping smelly coolant into the passenger compartment. It's summer, so you don't need it for many months. Car cools no different without it. I bought my car with a bypassed hoses. Also, this will allow you to pressure test the heater core with compressed air. Just remember to keep it low: like 20psi

    My solution: I ended up finding a heater core on Rock Auto for some compact car that was a really close match. Maybe Geo Metro? Don't laugh! I was able to slide old one out from the access panel in HVAC box on passenger side without too much effort, and sliding new one in with a very slight amount of dremeling. I did not disassemble or remove the HVAC box! The connections to the heater core are just rubber hoses, so the ends of the heater core can be in a slightly different location and still work. Total cost $15!!! I kid you not. I did this while I had the dash out for recovering. The dash was straight forward to pullout(instructions exist in someone else's thread). Maybe 3 hrs to pull dash. I did modify hood release handle so I didn't have to fish cable out of the engine bay. 4hrs to swap cores. 3hrs to reinstall dash. 1hr to modify cable release handle.
     
  15. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    Wait. Now I see it looks like you are looking for an evaporator core, not a heater core?
     
  16. Graeme Lambert

    Jul 14, 2021
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    Sorry, my bad I do mean heater core. Well, I assume it's the heater core as there is coolant leaking from it, not refrigerant.

    Anyway, thanks for all that info. Interesting that you say you managed to access without removing it entirely, and that it took you 3 hours to get the dash out. Specialist says approx 20 hrs for removal and 20 hrs for refit. I sort of wish that the car was still at my place right now for me to at least give this a go. I also keep hearing the heater box plastic is especially brittle, any experience of that?

    Will try and find the thread you mention about dash removal instructions
     
  17. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    I followed the other thread on dash removal. The only thing I did different was to cut the backside of the hood release handle, so I didn't have to pull the cable. No way would it take 20hrs, for even the most novice person. It's just unbolting parts, nothing tricky. It's really not hard at all. I did it myself. I think the other thread recommended a 2nd person to support the dash when lifting out. I still recommend that, but it wasn't bad by myself.

    The HVAC box was not brittle.
     

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