e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

Got 5 more ready for you guys :)

Image
_marshall wrote: Jan 28, 2023 3:27 PM Add me to the list as well.
thrty8street wrote: Jan 28, 2023 8:01 AM Put me down, too.
shallam wrote: Jan 27, 2023 9:40 PM Put me down for one as well.
1st 5er wrote: Jan 27, 2023 10:18 AM
szacsi72 wrote: Jan 27, 2023 7:56 AM FYI the plates are sold out. Let me know if you guys want more; I'm happy to make a second batch if there's need for it.

David
Put me down for 1.
boogie
Posts: 78
Joined: Dec 23, 2015 1:28 AM
Location: florida

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by boogie »

any more available?
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

boogie wrote: Mar 18, 2023 9:32 AM any more available?
I've got a couple left, shoot me a PM.
Chimi-Changa
Posts: 1655
Joined: Nov 08, 2011 11:02 PM
Location: Westboro, MA

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by Chimi-Changa »

In for One, please email me
BronzitBeauty
Posts: 11
Joined: Oct 24, 2022 2:56 AM
Location: Pasadena

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by BronzitBeauty »

szacsi72 wrote: Jan 09, 2023 8:43 AM Hi Guys,

The adapter plate will be $15 a piece; a kit, including the adapter plate and a brand new FEBI unit will be $115.
Please send me a PM if you want one!

Thanks!
David
Good Morning,
I am working on getting the retrofit on my E28 and wanted to purchase a bracket for the heater control valve. Do you still have them available?
MLastovo
Posts: 1420
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: San Diego, CA AKA The Best Coast

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by MLastovo »

Hello David,
If you are still making/selling the kits please put me down for a complete kit (bracket, valve, connector, etc.).

Thanks!
D.
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

Hi guys,

Sorry, I didn't see your answers.
I'll send you a PM tomorrow each!

Thanks
Shawn D.
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 22094
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Contact:

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by Shawn D. »

Do these brackets only work on E28s with a vacuum booster?
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

Shawn D. wrote: Jul 19, 2023 11:35 AM Do these brackets only work on E28s with a vacuum booster?
I have not tested them, but I suppose the bracket should work, as the bolt pattern is the same due to the master cylinder.

Mlastavo,BronzitBeauty, PM Sent!
85 535i
Posts: 137
Joined: Jan 20, 2012 8:34 AM
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by 85 535i »

szacsi72 wrote: Jul 20, 2023 11:54 AM
Shawn D. wrote: Jul 19, 2023 11:35 AM Do these brackets only work on E28s with a vacuum booster?
I have not tested them, but I suppose the bracket should work, as the bolt pattern is the same due to the master cylinder.

Mlastavo,BronzitBeauty, PM Sent!
PM'd
LarryM
Posts: 1244
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by LarryM »

PM'd
LarryM
Posts: 1244
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by LarryM »

Received mine today, and they look great. The (rebuilt) heater valves on my bimmers are working fine so I'm storing these two plates away for if/when I ever need them. Thank you for a great product and such fast shipping, David!
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

You are very welcome! Happy to help keep E28s alive..
robertodonnell
Posts: 66
Joined: Feb 17, 2019 6:27 AM
Location: NSW

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by robertodonnell »

Hi guys,

Can I ask everyone that's done this conversion, does the heater turn completely off when you turn the knob to cold after its been on heat? I rebuilt an OE valve, and it works fine on the bench, but still bleeds heat into the cabin if I've turned the heat up for a while. Thinking I was smart, I bought an Audi valve and fitted it today, and the brand new valve does the same thing!

I'm thinking that the Audi valve doesn't have
backflow protection, and although old E28 valve also seems to have anti backflow, it's well worn after 30 plus years of use.

So, in a nutshell if the E46 valve has anti backflow, I'll just buy one and swap it out.

Here's my post on the E28 FB page...https://m.facebook.com/groups/bmwe28/pe ... tid=Nif5oz

Cheers,

Robert
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

Rob,

I'm not sure how much of a rush this is for you, I can check this for you but I won't be in my shop for some time, so that will be at least one week.




Others:
Quite some people reached out to me needing some more brackets, so I ordered another batch for production. I had to raise the price by $5 due to increased material prices.
Shoot me a PM if you'd like one.
MisterFixit
Posts: 982
Joined: Jul 21, 2006 5:01 PM
Location: Golden, Colorado

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by MisterFixit »

robertodonnell wrote: Dec 02, 2023 1:29 AM Hi guys,

Can I ask everyone that's done this conversion, does the heater turn completely off when you turn the knob to cold after its been on heat? I rebuilt an OE valve, and it works fine on the bench, but still bleeds heat into the cabin if I've turned the heat up for a while. Thinking I was smart, I bought an Audi valve and fitted it today, and the brand new valve does the same thing!
...
Cheers,
Robert
Robert- it is my understanding that the heater valve opens and closes to admit hot water (coolant) into the heater core, so after heating for a while, the core is full of Hot Coolant.

Turning OFF the heat (closing the heater valve) will stop hot coolant from flowing into the core, but does NOT instantly cool anything... this takes time.

You don't 'turn off' a heater core that is filled with hot water, you stop water flowing through it. You can transfer more hot water into it; but after it's been heating, it remains hot for a bit. Thus, heat will continue to transfer to the air passing through the core... hence continued heating with the valve closed (knob turned all the way down).

Another car in our stable has a flapper door that shifts air flow from the heater core to the ducts - BYPASSING the core entirely. This results in a rapid cool air flow even after extended heating. It's a Japanese car, made in 1993, so I expect it to have more 'comfort features' than an E28. The air conditioner is similarly 'stupid;' as the temp control is moved off 'frigid' towards 'warm' the system gradually mixes Hot Air into the cold air stream, instead of the more efficient cycling of the A/C compressor on and off. But again, it's made in another country... not that there's anything wrong with that.

HTH

Andy
robertodonnell
Posts: 66
Joined: Feb 17, 2019 6:27 AM
Location: NSW

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by robertodonnell »

It still should cool down within a reasonable time frame, once the valve is shut and the supply of hot water is stopped. In my E34, and my once owned E46, it will return to full cold in a not too long a time...within the time it takes for you to hod your hand there and feel the heat drop off...this stays full hot until the engine cools down!
MisterFixit
Posts: 982
Joined: Jul 21, 2006 5:01 PM
Location: Golden, Colorado

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by MisterFixit »

robertodonnell wrote: Dec 03, 2023 1:32 AM It still should cool down within a reasonable time frame, once the valve is shut and the supply of hot water is stopped. In my E34, and my once owned E46, it will return to full cold in a not too long a time...within the time it takes for you to hod your hand there and feel the heat drop off...this stays full hot until the engine cools down!
Well, that's different. you likely have a torn diaphragm or other defect in the valve - or a connector / electrical issue.

I long for the days when a bowden cable moved a lever on a manual valve under my 2002 hood... at least you could adjust the heat manually if needed.
robertodonnell
Posts: 66
Joined: Feb 17, 2019 6:27 AM
Location: NSW

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by robertodonnell »

I'm not sure if you read through my post, but this is a new valve and I tested its operation before fitment. It worked perfectly.
scottfoster72
Posts: 12
Joined: Apr 25, 2020 1:30 PM
Location: KY

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by scottfoster72 »

PM's not sending but if scazsi72 has additional HCV for sale, I would like one.
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

Hello guys,

I have 4 kits left, ready to ship. Unfortunately, I don't have much time nowadays (moving), so these are the last 4 I will be selling.
If you were thinking of the upgrade/repair, this is the time.
I have changed the FEBI valve to a VEMO unit, which is a better quality part.


Current pricing (23. 05. 2024)
Retrofit kit - 135€ / 145$ - GM stainless adapter plate + VEMO OEM heater valve + VEMO connector kit
Shipping to US - 30€ / 35$ - FedEx
Shipping to EU - 25€ / 30$ - DPD


Otherwise, if someone feels like that they want to continue selling the kit, they can send me a PM and we can work something out (I'm happy to sell the design for cheap to someone who can make them, or sell 10 pieces as a "group buy" that someone can distribute, etc...)

Regards,
David
gaza01
Posts: 16
Joined: Dec 25, 2015 9:43 AM
Location: UK

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by gaza01 »

Where people are fabricating the bracket for the HCV, what is the diameter of the holes for the rubber plugs?
szacsi72
Posts: 289
Joined: Nov 13, 2022 3:41 AM
Location: Hungary

Re: e46 Heater Valve Retrofit

Post by szacsi72 »

gaza01 wrote: Jan 06, 2025 11:47 AM Where people are fabricating the bracket for the HCV, what is the diameter of the holes for the rubber plugs?
Gaza,

I'm not fabricating, but I'm offering the brackets and kits.
However, since I don't do it for profit, I'll happily share. The holes are exactly 25.0mm and the rubber plugs fit very well.

Regards
Dave
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