BMW 318 1984: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 93V015000

Make Model Year
BMW 318 1984
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1993-06-04 1993-02-01 1993-02-05

Production Dates: 1983-01-01 - 1993-01-01

Manufacturers Involved: BMW of North America, LLC

Component: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 375000

Report Initiator: ODI ODI Report

Summary

THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.

Consequence

VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS "1" LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, "2" LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, "3" DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND "4"CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Notes

SYSTEM: COOLANT SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.