Heater conversion on E34 (coolant to electrical based)

[ktteoh]

the standard heater on e34 is such a pain in the ass to repair once broken (valves, heater core buried in dashboard with coolant pipings).

has anyone done a conversion to electrical based heater either via using an assembly of off the shelf parts from other cars or is there a ready made kit available from some vendor?

[E34-520iSE]

Is this like an oil-filled core with an electric heater? I never knew cars were fitted with such a system! Tell me more Ktteoh......

Cheers,

Shaun

[High Compression II]

Were you thinking of using electrical power as the source of the heat, as in electric elements???

The amount of power drain on the electrical system of a vehicle would probably be as much as the starter-motor,--You wouldnt run the starter for more than a miniute and expect the battery to hold up would you!!!--The current an adequate fan-heater would probably be around the same, Say 1Kw,--Maybe more...........

A coolant block heater as made by Kemowe and powered from the domestic electricity supply would keep the coolant warm, and Ebispacher made a diesel fuelled heater to do the same and used on some Mercedes W123 as an extra.

Cheaper and easier to fix the original heater system...................

[632 Regal]

stick a space heater in the front seat, unplug it before you leave and it should stay warm til you get to work...as long as it isnt too far. Bring gloves and a parka for the drive home.

[uscharalph]

the standard heater on e34 is such a pain in the ass to repair once broken (valves, heater core buried in dashboard with coolant pipings).

has anyone done a conversion to electrical based heater either via using an assembly of off the shelf parts from other cars or is there a ready made kit available from some vendor?

My heater core is currently bypassed. Good for me I don't need a heater much in Southern California. I would still like to get it fixed.

[ktteoh]

ralph, how do you bypass the heater core - can you list down the steps ?

My heater core is currently bypassed. Good for me I don't need a heater much in Southern California. I would still like to get it fixed.

[Kalevera]

Personally, I'd just replace the leaking heater core; I think adding an electric heater is asking for an electrical fire, not to mention less efficiency.

I know that parked *heating* was an option on some euro E34s, but I don't know how efficient it would be for actually keeping the car warm under way. I think the system was propane/kerosene based, but I've never seen it in real life.

My .02 says that replacing the heater core, the "hardest" job of the bunch, is still much easier than messing around with a hackneyed solution. Do it right the first time and it'll give you another 15 years of service.

best, whit

[632 Regal]

Whit's doing door to door heater core step by step directions at your place, email him direct!

[shogun]

@ktteoh
you can just block the heater with cheap water valves (manual) or just like this here
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/106449

[Kalevera]

Whit's doing door to door heater core step by step directions at your place, email him direct!

Only if you're bringing the beer and chips, big baby.