E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Down the squeaky dash rabbit-hole.



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-18-2024, 04:39 PM   #1
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Down the squeaky dash rabbit-hole.

So how far would I go to eliminate the squeaking dash on my newly restored 325i? Pretty far but apparently not as far as I'm gonna go. I removed the cabin filter housing and strut tower braces to rule them out, then started removing my dash 1 piece at a time. First the trim, then the radio/temp controls, then the cluster, then the blower, then the center console, then f-it, time for the whole dash. I can see why this is one of the most expensive jobs at a shop, it is tedious and there's a crapload of things to unscrew, pry off, wires to disconnect, the steering wheel and stalks have to come off, but finally got all that removed, unbolted the dash and got it out, thinking for sure I can find the squeak, or at least lube and tighten everything as I put it back together. Then I took a look at the vents in the HVAC box... yikes. The rubber part of the flaps looks like it's melted/coated in tar, all soft and gooey. WTF can do this? I can't find any way to fix this and I'm figuring that if the ones I can see are like this the internal flaps are probably just as bad or worse. Soooo looks like I'm replacing the HVAC box. With all the work required to get at it I can't see not replacing the heater core and ac evaporator, and if I'm doing those may as well do the heater hoses too. Well crap, that squeak just turned into a bigger job than the entire rear subframe. Wish me luck brothers, I'm off down the rabbit hole to wonderland.
Attached Images
   

Last edited by 3PedalJake; 10-18-2024 at 04:44 PM..
Appreciate 3
Mike K384.50
Suvorovo276.50
      10-18-2024, 10:18 PM   #2
StradaRedlands
Brigadier General
StradaRedlands's Avatar
United_States
6401
Rep
3,833
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [8.45]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ...  [8.00]
2013 BMW X5 35i  [7.80]
2011 BMW 528i  [8.70]
2006 Mazda3  [5.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3PedalJake View Post
So how far would I go to eliminate the squeaking dash on my newly restored 325i? Pretty far but apparently not as far as I'm gonna go. I removed the cabin filter housing and strut tower braces to rule them out, then started removing my dash 1 piece at a time. First the trim, then the radio/temp controls, then the cluster, then the blower, then the center console, then f-it, time for the whole dash. I can see why this is one of the most expensive jobs at a shop, it is tedious and there's a crapload of things to unscrew, pry off, wires to disconnect, the steering wheel and stalks have to come off, but finally got all that removed, unbolted the dash and got it out, thinking for sure I can find the squeak, or at least lube and tighten everything as I put it back together. Then I took a look at the vents in the HVAC box... yikes. The rubber part of the flaps looks like it's melted/coated in tar, all soft and gooey. WTF can do this? I can't find any way to fix this and I'm figuring that if the ones I can see are like this the internal flaps are probably just as bad or worse. Soooo looks like I'm replacing the HVAC box. With all the work required to get at it I can't see not replacing the heater core and ac evaporator, and if I'm doing those may as well do the heater hoses too. Well crap, that squeak just turned into a bigger job than the entire rear subframe. Wish me luck brothers, I'm off down the rabbit hole to wonderland.
You better keep this car a loooong time!!! It will be so nice to have all those jobs done though. Especially the vents/box... I don't even want to know what mine look like! I have a long-term flap error that came with the car. I imagine it's pretty bad in there as well!
Appreciate 1
3PedalJake3286.00
      10-18-2024, 11:05 PM   #3
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
You better keep this car a loooong time!!! It will be so nice to have all those jobs done though. Especially the vents/box... I don't even want to know what mine look like! I have a long-term flap error that came with the car. I imagine it's pretty bad in there as well!
Yeah if this wasn't already a forever car (it was) it would be after this. Zeroing in on 0% of this car that I haven't had apart now, we're practically soulmates. I was working on getting the musty smell out of the ac, I think this oughta do it lol.
Appreciate 1
      10-20-2024, 02:43 PM   #4
bmw335ie90
Lieutenant
bmw335ie90's Avatar
563
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i M Sport
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Norcal

iTrader: (0)

Lots of work! I have a creak that is coming from the A pillar every time the chassis flexes. It amplifies off the windshield and is the most annoying thing I've ever experienced. I've removed everything except the dash trying to find it but cannot. Tempted to just shove a bunch of foam in between the dash and windshield, and between the dash and A pillar to dampen the noise.

If you are able to find and fix it you might convince me to pull my dash as well!
Appreciate 2
      10-22-2024, 10:06 PM   #5
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmw335ie90 View Post
Lots of work! I have a creak that is coming from the A pillar every time the chassis flexes. It amplifies off the windshield and is the most annoying thing I've ever experienced. I've removed everything except the dash trying to find it but cannot. Tempted to just shove a bunch of foam in between the dash and windshield, and between the dash and A pillar to dampen the noise.

If you are able to find and fix it you might convince me to pull my dash as well!
I have it apart up to the dash support cage and I can't find any kind of squeaks by pressing on anything, and it's way past driving so just hoping I undo whatever is causing it when I put it back together. After the HVAC is out There won't be anything left on the firewall but the JBE/fusebox, everything should include whatever is the issue
Appreciate 2
      10-23-2024, 07:24 AM   #6
DBShiznit
Second Lieutenant
DBShiznit's Avatar
United_States
332
Rep
203
Posts

Drives: BMW 135i/335xi
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Philly

iTrader: (0)

Not a BMW in the video but here is some humor to get you through the ordeal. lol

Appreciate 1
3PedalJake3286.00
      10-23-2024, 06:47 PM   #7
ZGator
Private
66
Rep
83
Posts

Drives: E90 328xi, E36/7 Z3 2.3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New England, USA

iTrader: (0)

I thought I was crazy - woa good idea to replace any a/c stuff in there that's for sure! Jake you must just love being with this car! My wife sometimes teases me about my 2 bmw obsessions. It is addictive when you fix things and even make them better than before - I guess this goes to show that!
Appreciate 2
3PedalJake3286.00
Mike K384.50
      10-23-2024, 09:49 PM   #8
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBShiznit View Post
Not a BMW in the video but here is some humor to get you through the ordeal. lol
LMAO that's me exactly fumbling around trying to make it stop, even had Mrs 3P help.
Appreciate 0
      10-23-2024, 09:55 PM   #9
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZGator View Post
I thought I was crazy - woa good idea to replace any a/c stuff in there that's for sure! Jake you must just love being with this car! My wife sometimes teases me about my 2 bmw obsessions. It is addictive when you fix things and even make them better than before - I guess this goes to show that!
I think all the regular forum contributors here are a lil touched in the head, but you're right none of us would be doing all the big and little things constantly to our cars if we weren't addicted. Thankfully my Mrs. recognizes there's much less benign things I could be doing with my time so she encourages my bimmer relationships. And my diesel trucks. And motorcycles
Appreciate 1
      10-27-2024, 10:09 PM   #10
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Well always wondered what it looked like on the firewall with everything removed, but not enough to take it apart. Now I know, got the HVAC box out today and new one should be here this week sometime. I need to take all the motors and wiring and other assorted parts off it to swap over, hopefully it will be simple but yeah lol to that. Now I know why lotta shops don't do HVAC and the ones that do make you bend over and spread em for it.
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 5
      10-28-2024, 08:05 AM   #11
DBShiznit
Second Lieutenant
DBShiznit's Avatar
United_States
332
Rep
203
Posts

Drives: BMW 135i/335xi
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Philly

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3PedalJake View Post
Well always wondered what it looked like on the firewall with everything removed, but not enough to take it apart. Now I know, got the HVAC box out today and new one should be here this week sometime. I need to take all the motors and wiring and other assorted parts off it to swap over, hopefully it will be simple but yeah lol to that. Now I know why lotta shops don't do HVAC and the ones that do make you bend over and spread em for it.
I hate how much those bars rust. Such an eye sore anytime you take something apart on the dash. I know it's hidden but my OCD knows its there. LOL
Appreciate 1
3PedalJake3286.00
      10-28-2024, 09:23 AM   #12
ZGator
Private
66
Rep
83
Posts

Drives: E90 328xi, E36/7 Z3 2.3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New England, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DBShiznit View Post
I hate how much those bars rust. Such an eye sore anytime you take something apart on the dash. I know it's hidden but my OCD knows its there. LOL
I bet Jake paints his to make it nice and purdy!
Appreciate 2
DBShiznit332.00
3PedalJake3286.00
      10-28-2024, 09:26 AM   #13
ZGator
Private
66
Rep
83
Posts

Drives: E90 328xi, E36/7 Z3 2.3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New England, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3PedalJake View Post
Well always wondered what it looked like on the firewall with everything removed, but not enough to take it apart. Now I know, got the HVAC box out today and new one should be here this week sometime. I need to take all the motors and wiring and other assorted parts off it to swap over, hopefully it will be simple but yeah lol to that. Now I know why lotta shops don't do HVAC and the ones that do make you bend over and spread em for it.
yeah, oh my god, the evaporator is sandwiched in there real good, I guess a bad evap/AC leak will total an E90! LOL
Appreciate 1
3PedalJake3286.00
      10-28-2024, 09:11 PM   #14
BMW Guy
Private
BMW Guy's Avatar
United_States
101
Rep
92
Posts

Drives: BMW 335i 2011
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3PedalJake View Post
Well always wondered what it looked like on the firewall with everything removed, but not enough to take it apart. Now I know, got the HVAC box out today and new one should be here this week sometime. I need to take all the motors and wiring and other assorted parts off it to swap over, hopefully it will be simple but yeah lol to that. Now I know why lotta shops don't do HVAC and the ones that do make you bend over and spread em for it.
Oh my! I'm afraid I would give up after removing the steering wheel. Your mechanical skills are ridiculous!
__________________
VRSF DP, VRSF CP, VRSF turbo outlet, VRSF 5' IC MHD Stage 2+.
Appreciate 1
3PedalJake3286.00
      Yesterday, 10:39 PM   #15
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBShiznit View Post
I hate how much those bars rust. Such an eye sore anytime you take something apart on the dash. I know it's hidden but my OCD knows its there. LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZGator View Post
I bet Jake paints his to make it nice and purdy!
lol If it wasn't still attached by a wiring harness on the drivers side I'd prolly do that, as it is I'm just gonna wipe it down with some anti-corrosion spray and pretend I never saw no rust.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZGator View Post
yeah, oh my god, the evaporator is sandwiched in there real good, I guess a bad evap/AC leak will total an E90! LOL
Seriously, if this was any kind of "just transportation" car I'd either junk it or live with wherever the heat wanted to come out, only for my bimmer babies would I do this job from hell.

Last edited by 3PedalJake; Yesterday at 10:57 PM..
Appreciate 1
      Yesterday, 10:49 PM   #16
3PedalJake
Neo-Luddite
3PedalJake's Avatar
United_States
3286
Rep
1,669
Posts

Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW Guy View Post
Oh my! I'm afraid I would give up after removing the steering wheel. Your mechanical skills are ridiculous!
Shhh, I'm just winging this on the fly, I've never done a HVAC unit, so on a steep learning curve here Every other part of the un-installation has been a project unto itself, quite a few times now I said to myself self, wtf did you get yourself into this time?? By then it was too late to turn back tho, in for a penny in for a pound and praying it all goes back together.
Today the new HVAC cabinet arrived, it's just the box and flaps. I thought the gaskets would be on it but no, that's separate so have them on order with local dealer. Tomorrow I have to transfer over the blower box, the electric flap actuators (there's 8 of them) and install the new heater core and ac evaporator, wish me luck.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 2
      Today, 07:52 AM   #17
DBShiznit
Second Lieutenant
DBShiznit's Avatar
United_States
332
Rep
203
Posts

Drives: BMW 135i/335xi
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Philly

iTrader: (0)

I tell you what, I bet the heat and A/C will feel nice when it is all done and you get no odors. Can you throw in some pics of the evaporator and heater exchanger? I'm curious to see what mine looks like without taking it apart LOL
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:24 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST