Heater core and blower motor

[napuli]

Hi,

I am planning to replace the heater core in my 1995 540iA. I found 2 good DIY including one that is specific for my car.

I am making a shopping list and I was hoping you could check my list to make sure I am not forgetting anything. In particular, I am worry about having all the O-rings I will need.

(1) 64118351171 Behr Heater Core 1995 BMW 540I $166
(2) 64111468435 and (2) 64111468437 o-rings.

My second question is with regard to the blower motor. My fan works OK but it seems to be limited to 2 speeds: low and high. What I mean is that I don't notice a difference on the speed of the fan when set to 1, 2, or 3. Sometimes, if I set the fan to 3 the motor will actually blow a little faster after a while but not right away. Does this means that I need a new blower motor. If so, will this be a good time to replace the motor? I have not found DIY for this but I am guessing that it must be close to the core. Am I right?
Is the blower motor easy to replace?

64111468542 Blower Motor; Complete Motor and Fan Assembly $195

I read something about how the Blower Motor Resistor/Regulator can also show similar symptoms. But i think that the resistor can be reach with out having to remove the center console. Is this true?

64111468524 Blower Motor Resistor/Regulator $44

All together I am looking at about $400 in parts. Oh yes, I guess I also need to by some coolant.

[K Fox]

I'd vote for replacing the resistor to fix the fan speed issue - likely it's burnt out. It's actually shocking to learn that those resistors can cause catastrophic fires in these if you let crud get built up around them - and they are in a reasonably accessible area. If I remember correctly, the resistor is inside the cabin filter housing, near the bottom. Search here for blower resistor and something will come up. But most likely replacing that will be the fix, and it's probably something you'll have to take out to get to the heater core anyway. Plus you can replace the likely old and dirty cabin filter, which is always nice. As for the rest, I'm not informed enough to say. Good luck.

Fox

[shogun]

can you share the DIY links you found for replacing the heater core?
On my website below there is also a lot of info about heater core replacement, E32 model, but will also help.
Here is a more clear pic what you get with part no
64118351171
http://www.bmwpartsweb.com/BMW-Parts...D-2C75240.aspx


The speed of the blower fan is controlled either by the sword (older E34 and all E32) or on your model year by the 64111468524 Blower Motor Resistor/Regulator
Here is a good write up how to change
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=143393
That is an E39, but same procedure I assume

[moroza]

Heatercores come with O-rings. Best price is from RM European, who is a forum sponsor as well.

[napuli]

This one looks exactly like my 1995 BMW 540i heater core. I had to removed a few more parts that described in the DIY but for the most part it was very good.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1373584