Replacing the Radiator/Heater Core Already?

Love_Hounds · 10-24-2018, 08:40 AM

Hi folks,

Recently picked up a CPO 2015 328i GT xDrive (~17,500 mi) about a month ago and when it started getting a little colder here in CT (last week), noticed that the heat on the passenger side was never really hot, in fact even when set to 84F the highest setting it was usually cold.

So, made an appointment at the dealership I got it from for them to take a look and the day after (yesterday, 10/23/18) they sent me a text stating that they were going to replace the radiator and heater core due to poor flow/heat.

Should I be concerned that a car only 3 years old and with less than 20k miles already needs what I consider significant work?

As a side note, other than this issue the car is phenomenal and it's great owning a vehicle that I can drive and have someone fit behind me in the second row. I'm 6'7", so I crush most people that sit behind me.

Billfitz · 10-24-2018, 08:59 AM

That diagnosis is odd, to say the least. The most likely cause of the symptom is a bad thermostat. If it's not costing you anything so be it. If you had to pay for it you should be getting a second opinion.

Love_Hounds · 10-24-2018, 09:08 AM

I was a bit surprised as well and after getting the text from the dealer I searched online and the only other explanations I saw, well really the only one I saw for anything similar to my situation, was the thermostat being bad or dirty and it getting replaced solved the issue.

Don't have to pay, the certified pre-owned warranty took care of it.

rak299 · 10-24-2018, 08:29 PM

You talk about passenger side heat. If the driver's side gets warm normally, that doesn't sound like thermostat problem or radiator/heater core.

Billfitz · 10-24-2018, 09:03 PM

The core is a possibility, I've seen reports that a partially clogged core can have one side much hotter than the other.

Love_Hounds · 10-26-2018, 06:13 AM

Got it back yesterday after work:

-Replaced radiator
-Replaced heater core
-Replaced some gaskets and a "pipe"
-Replaced coolant

The repair summery also mentions that some of it was done "in accordance with tsb", but doesn't actually say the TSB they are referring to. Additionally, it states that the work was performed because coolant had coagulated in the heater core. Seems to have fixed the problem because I can get very hot air to blow out of any vent using the climate controls, however when set to "Auto" mode now I have to set the driver side temperature to 78 or above otherwise I get cold air through the driver vents.

Billfitz · 10-26-2018, 07:44 AM

The side vents? Lower vents? Center dash vents? The wheel on the center dash vents allows changing their output from colder (blue) to warmer (red) so you can have cool air aimed at your face and warm air aimed at your feet. Also pay attention to the temperature wheel on the rear seat outlet, which allows the rear to be warmer or colder than the front.

Love_Hounds · 10-26-2018, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The side vents? Lower vents? Center dash vents? The wheel on the center dash vents allows changing their output from colder (blue) to warmer (red) so you can have cool air aimed at your face and warm air aimed at your feet. Also pay attention to the temperature wheel on the rear seat outlet, which allows the rear to be warmer or colder than the front.

It's funny you mention that, because the first thing the service representative did to test my original complaint was to adjust that wheel.

I keep the wheel to the red as far as it goes (staying chilly here in CT) and still feel cold air coming from the side vent and center vent on the driver's side after the car has been running for enough time to be at operating temperature (10-15 minutes) and having the climate control on the driver side set to 78. I can take it off "Auto" by pushing the button in the knob or by using the vent selection button and get heat at the same temperature setting at the selected vents.

Also kinda interesting is that the climate controls are a little different now. When I brought the car in, you could only change the temperature in increments or decrements of 2 degrees and 'F' was displayed near the value it was set to. Now, the dials change the values in increments and decrements of 1 degree and instead of the 'F', there is a degree symbol (little circle).

Billfitz · 10-26-2018, 08:17 AM

Something still isn't right. I set mine at 68 on auto/AC and leave it there 24/7/365. Mine does go in one degree increments, with a degree symbol, always has.

Love_Hounds · 10-26-2018, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Something still isn't right. I set mine at 68 on auto/AC and leave it there 24/7/365. Mine does go in one degree increments, with a degree symbol, always has.

Currently I'd freeze if I used those settings and I'm guessing up in NH you folks get a bit colder than myself in Southern CT. Sh*t.

Billfitz · 10-26-2018, 10:49 AM

Cold in southern Connecticut is balmy in New Hampshire. If it's 25 degrees I'm skiing, if it's 35 degrees I'm still playing golf. I had a good laugh watching the Series the other night, with one of the LA players wearing a balaclava when the temperature was 46 on the field. Sissies.

Your cabin temperature sensor must be AFU, it seems to think the car is 10 degrees warmer than actual.

10-24-2018, 08:40 AM	#1
Love_Hounds Member 60 Rep 40 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Replacing the Radiator/Heater Core Already? Hi folks, Recently picked up a CPO 2015 328i GT xDrive (~17,500 mi) about a month ago and when it started getting a little colder here in CT (last week), noticed that the heat on the passenger side was never really hot, in fact even when set to 84F the highest setting it was usually cold. So, made an appointment at the dealership I got it from for them to take a look and the day after (yesterday, 10/23/18) they sent me a text stating that they were going to replace the radiator and heater core due to poor flow/heat. Should I be concerned that a car only 3 years old and with less than 20k miles already needs what I consider significant work? As a side note, other than this issue the car is phenomenal and it's great owning a vehicle that I can drive and have someone fit behind me in the second row. I'm 6'7", so I crush most people that sit behind me.
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10-24-2018, 08:59 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	That diagnosis is odd, to say the least. The most likely cause of the symptom is a bad thermostat. If it's not costing you anything so be it. If you had to pay for it you should be getting a second opinion.
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10-24-2018, 09:08 AM	#3
Love_Hounds Member 60 Rep 40 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I was a bit surprised as well and after getting the text from the dealer I searched online and the only other explanations I saw, well really the only one I saw for anything similar to my situation, was the thermostat being bad or dirty and it getting replaced solved the issue. Don't have to pay, the certified pre-owned warranty took care of it.
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10-24-2018, 08:29 PM	#4
rak299 Major 601 Rep 1,046 Posts Drives: 2021 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: san francisco iTrader: (0)	You talk about passenger side heat. If the driver's side gets warm normally, that doesn't sound like thermostat problem or radiator/heater core.
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10-24-2018, 09:03 PM	#5
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The core is a possibility, I've seen reports that a partially clogged core can have one side much hotter than the other.
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10-26-2018, 06:13 AM	#6
Love_Hounds Member 60 Rep 40 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Got it back yesterday after work: -Replaced radiator -Replaced heater core -Replaced some gaskets and a "pipe" -Replaced coolant The repair summery also mentions that some of it was done "in accordance with tsb", but doesn't actually say the TSB they are referring to. Additionally, it states that the work was performed because coolant had coagulated in the heater core. Seems to have fixed the problem because I can get very hot air to blow out of any vent using the climate controls, however when set to "Auto" mode now I have to set the driver side temperature to 78 or above otherwise I get cold air through the driver vents. __________________ 2015 BMW 328i GT xDrive 2008 Mazda RX-8 GT
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10-26-2018, 07:44 AM	#7
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The side vents? Lower vents? Center dash vents? The wheel on the center dash vents allows changing their output from colder (blue) to warmer (red) so you can have cool air aimed at your face and warm air aimed at your feet. Also pay attention to the temperature wheel on the rear seat outlet, which allows the rear to be warmer or colder than the front.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2018, 08:17 AM	#9
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Something still isn't right. I set mine at 68 on auto/AC and leave it there 24/7/365. Mine does go in one degree increments, with a degree symbol, always has.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2018, 10:49 AM	#11
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Cold in southern Connecticut is balmy in New Hampshire. If it's 25 degrees I'm skiing, if it's 35 degrees I'm still playing golf. I had a good laugh watching the Series the other night, with one of the LA players wearing a balaclava when the temperature was 46 on the field. Sissies. Your cabin temperature sensor must be AFU, it seems to think the car is 10 degrees warmer than actual.
	Appreciate 0 Quote