Anti-Freeze Fragrance

[GripGreg]

Thanx for inviting me.
I have an '82 Euro 635, build date of 9/81, sold as an '82.
Since I bought it, a coupla months ago, I've noticed a slight anti-freeze odor during the morning warm-up. Sometimes during the day after sitting for an hour.
What could be the cause of this? Also, the carpet is a lil moist; Oh Oh?
Could it be the heater valve? Where is it located on the e12 platform? I say e12 'cause the antennae is by the drivers door.
What is the removal procedure? I hope I'm wrong in my thinking.
Thanx in Advance,,,,Greg

[Chris Wright]

Yes, the heater valve (ref #1) is in the center console and have been known to leak:
http://www.malloc.nl/BMW/635CSi/pages/e ... l#refertoc

Follow the link about the "Exploding water valves" also:
viewtopic.php?t=10519&

There might be something of use in here also, Rebuilding the A/C and heater in an e12 based Sixer:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1361947



__________

Welcome !

Here is a boilerplate cut & paste of some standard information I've gathered over time, with the information tailored to the e12 based cars:

Even though all of the 6-Series cars are designated as the "e24" chassis, there was a change point in mid '82. Before then, the e24 shared many of it's components with the e12, 5-Series, and is referred to as "First Generation", "Series 1" or "e12 based". After '82, it shared with the e28, 5-Series ("Series 2" or "e28 based"). (06/82 is generally accepted as the change point, but be careful, not all parts changed over on that date).

There are no after market manuals for the 6-Series cars, so most people get the Bentley 5-Series '83-'88 manual if they have an e28 based Sixer, but Bentley doesn't make one for the e12. I'm told that Haynes had an e12 manual, but I guess they are out of print and getting hard to find.

New!
Here is a better Online Factory Workshop Manual from the Factory DVD that has info for both the e12 and e28 based cars and the Euro Factory Specs and Torques as well as for Japan and the US. It is also primarily a browser/link based format with only the specs/torques in PDF files so it is faster then the primarily PDF graphic based Online Manual previously posted and the photo's seem much clearer also: BMW 628csi - M635csi (M6) - e12/e28 Workshop Manual

Here is the original PDF based Online Factory Workshop Manual (US spec only, but includes the early cars - click "630 ... 633CSi Repair Manual"):
http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/

Here is a PDF download of the '80 Wiring Diagram (US spec):
viewtopic.php?t=6982

Here is the "First Fives" website FAQ, some good info on the e12 specific bits on your car:
http://www.firstfives.org/faq.html

The FirstFives FAQ, this is where you find info on the L-Jet injection:
http://www.firstfives.org/faq/ljet/ljetronic.html

A gold mine of articles and how-to's:
BigCoupeGroup Tech Library: http://www.normgrills.net/bcg/
(different then BigCoup.com, don't forget their Library too )

Site showing BMW wheels with their data, pictures and the cars they came on: It's in German, but with the pictures, it doesn't matter much.
http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

An online Vin Decoder:
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

And last but not least, there are 3 online Parts Catalogs with exploded views and part numbers:

RealOEM.com, the original and I still find it the fastest to navigate if you are still on dialup:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vi ... E24&arch=1

BMWFans, more graphic, so slower for dialup, but if you click on the part number in the right hand column, it will show you all of the other cars the part was used on. Very handy for hunting at the salvage yard:
http://bmwfans.info/original/E24/Cou/

Maximillian Importing, they will sell you the part, but the price isn't much better then the dealer:
http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/


For parts, the lowest prices I've found on the net: check all 3 when looking for parts (they also make good references):

http://www.AutoHausAZ.com
http://www.Pelicanparts.com
http://www.BavAuto.com (Great Catalog, order it, it's free)

In the past, AutoHaus was almost always the cheapest (when comparing the same brand of parts), but both Pelican and BavAuto have gotten competitive so you have to now check all three. And always do a "Search by Part Number", as not all of the parts show up in the menu driven look-ups (get the part number form one of the online parts catalogs above).

For "Dealer Only" parts:
It is great when you can find a "Tame" dealer locally that will do competitive pricing, and more and more are, but if yours is not, then PelicanParts or BavAuto can order dealer parts but you have to do the "Search by Part Number" for them to show up . Sometimes the prices are good, sometimes not (I've found Pelican selling at above dealer retail on ordered parts! Always check at getbmwparts.com (or ebmwparts.com) to see what the MSRP is and for lower pricing).

There are several dealers that have online sites selling at about a 20% discount (plus shipping). Good place to find out what the dealer MSRP is, If you can get a local dealer to come close to these discount prices, you can save the shipping:

BMWMercedesparts.com seems to be a bit cheaper (20 to 30%), but check them all.

http://BMWMercedesparts.com/
http://ebmwparts.com/
http://www.getbmwparts.com/

Several have recommended Nat @ Atlantic Euro
Phone 336-970-0577 : email [email protected]

MWrench recommends Charlie at Gault BMW in Endicott NY. Claims he has a really steep discount for OEM parts. You can also contact him via email: [email protected]

[Brucey]

in addition note that it could be the heater matrix that is leaking. Note that the parts of your heating system will vary quite a lot depending on whether you have AC or not.

At that build date you should have E24/1 (E12 based) chassis and trim parts, and an M90 motronic motor running the -002 ECU IIRC.

If you check here you can find out what exact type number your car is;

http://www.6ercoupe.de/englisch/laufz2.html

My guess is type 5331 or type 5341 but if by chance it is a different one e.g. early type 5371 do say.

cheers

[bpoliakoff]

Heater valve on an e12 based car is in the lower left corner of the heater box and can be accessed, with dificulty, from the right side of the drivers footwell. There are 3, 7mm nuts holding it on and it can be changed without pulling the heater box. make sure you buy a Behr and do be aware there was a bad run of them, so try to buy fresh stock. Real good chance if your drivers side carpet is wet, that it is the valve.

[bpoliakoff]

Heater valve on an e12 based car is in the lower left corner of the heater box and can be accessed, with dificulty, from the right side of the drivers footwell. There are 3, 7mm nuts holding it on and it can be changed without pulling the heater box. make sure you buy a Behr and do be aware there was a bad run of them, so try to buy fresh stock. Real good chance if your drivers side carpet is wet, that it is the valve.