[sharadn]

I thought I saw a post somewhere that showed how to do with only removing the steering column and not the dash. I did see a few posts for the e46 and found a youtube for a doing this to a 1 series but could not find any for the e90. I have 2006 325xi e91 and can smell antifreeze inside the car. The heater core was pretty plugged up when I bought it and tried to flush it a couple of times but it still takes a very long time to heat up. I have just lived with it for the past couple of years but am not liking the sweet smell of antifreeze in my interior. I figured that at one point it had a leak on the heater core and instead of replacing it the previous owner put in some kind of stop leak and this gummed up the passage ways in the core. I am not about to jump into removing the dash and will not pay a shop to do this, but if it can be done without removing the dash I might go for it.
Let me know what you all think.

[KClemente]

Originally Posted by sharadn

Let me know what you all think.

After owning an E90 for the past 6 years, I can tell you with 100% confidence that if you are willing to remove a steering column just to get to a heater core, you are making it way way harder than it needs to be.

The dashboard is actually very easy to take off and put back on. Don't worry about any potential rattles or anything; this isn't an E34 or E36 where some wires are ziptied to the dashboard

Literally 3/4 of the dashboard job is taking off the glovebox, a pillars, driver footwell panel and radio/ihka.

Trust me, you do not want to touch the steering column. The time spent getting off the sheared-off steering column bolts will be longer than removing the dash itself...

[Efthreeoh]

Gone are the days of the E30. Heater core comes out in 45 minutes or less.

[TGTIW]

When I had the heater core warrantied, the dealer replaced it without removing the dash or steering column. I imagine it wasn't the ideal procedure they followed, and the conversation we had after I figured out how they did it made me not welcome at that dealership any more, but it's held up.

On the core itself they bent the inlet tube out of the way enough for them to slide the core in, then bent it back into position.

[sharadn]

Aha...some creative mechanicing..might be a solution for me. The car is a 2006 with 115k miles on it. I doubt it warrants the level of effort to go to all the trouble of pulling the dash. Maybe some Liqui-Moly radiator leak fix might be the ticket but I will take a closer look at the bending of the pipe solution. I guess that this can be done without disturbing the AC system. Thanks for the input.

[whyzee125]

People replace dashes on cars much older than these all the time. You don't want water leaking in the cabin, you'll get mold and if you overheat it could cost you an engine.

Just pull the dash (or column if you prefer) and replace it. It's not nearly as big of a job as some on these cars.

[Nando_e90]

Does the same procedure applies for evaporator replacement too? I was under the impression that is a extremely difficult DIY.

I’m in the need of a new Valeo evaporator but always avoid even thinking about it when I remember the evaporator replacement process on my dad’s e39.

[TriumphTim]

I have the same intermittent coolant smell in the cabin on a 2008 328xi.

How is everyone determining that the actual heater core is bad and not just the o-rings?

Haven't looked at my car yet but I was going to try this kit first which I think is pretty accessible...?

BMW Heater Core O-Ring Kit - ACM 64119180102

[mainbearing]

I too thought both the heater core and evaporator require dash removal. Youtube videos suggest this is a big ball of worms.

[Bavarian Tech]

IMO, I've found 3 ways to do a heater core..Pull the box, pull the dash or just pull the column. All depends on what you want/need to replace and if you can do an evac n recharge of the a/c system. If your just interested in replacing the heater core, pull the column out of the way..Pull the c clips off the heater core,
push the hard lines through the firewall a bit and slide heater core out. Doable if your comfortable with working in tight spaces. Just replace the O rings with the heater core, and you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by sharadn

I thought I saw a post somewhere that showed how to do with only removing the steering column and not the dash. I did see a few posts for the e46 and found a youtube for a doing this to a 1 series but could not find any for the e90. I have 2006 325xi e91 and can smell antifreeze inside the car. The heater core was pretty plugged up when I bought it and tried to flush it a couple of times but it still takes a very long time to heat up. I have just lived with it for the past couple of years but am not liking the sweet smell of antifreeze in my interior. I figured that at one point it had a leak on the heater core and instead of replacing it the previous owner put in some kind of stop leak and this gummed up the passage ways in the core. I am not about to jump into removing the dash and will not pay a shop to do this, but if it can be done without removing the dash I might go for it.
Let me know what you all think.

[Horokiwi_Hori]

I'm just completing a heater core replacement DIY on a 2013 E92 M3. Mine is RHD and it does make a difference. (I bought LHD parts). It's not an impossible task but you need to be patient to take your time. I've watched some You-tube videos which are LHD focused and I suggest follow one of those. I removed the steering wheel and lowered the steering column onto a box, to not stress anything. I did not un-do the universal joint as advised in ISTA.

[TriumphTim]

Sorry I am still a bit confused, what needs to be removed to do the following?

"Just replace the O rings with the heater core, and you'll be fine."

[sharadn]

How do you pull the box without pulling the dash?

[sharadn]

Is there a DIY anywhere for doing this without removing the dash? I saw a few for e46's but on the ones I saw for the e90 showed removing the dash. I also watched a few videos about removing the steering column on the e90 and it didn't seem too difficult. If anyone has done by removing the column and not the dash can you please post some hints? TIA