Ventilation - outside fresh air

[gjm120]

I've searched the topic of ventilation and found what I had tried - turn temp to lowest setting, select where you want air coming thru, turn fan on. The problem is the air coming in is always quite warm. So on a cool day (we've actually had 2 of them this year so far) it's like running the heater. I assume this is because the air is being pulled in from the engine compartment.

Is there any way to get ambient temperature air in the cabin? (I know how to open the windows.)

[mr.fabulous]

IIRC, the only way to get heat out this system is to either [1] not run in Auto and crank the temp to the max (which I believe is 84), or run Auto and set the temp warmer. And so the inverse of that says no Auto and temp at min and you should get outside air. I would imagine that will be pretty warm in East Texas, though... and that it will collect some ambient heat as it passes through.

[MightyMouseTech]

The air comes in from the cowl panel area at base of windshield. Maybe the seal at the back of the hood is not sealing properly and letting hot engine air in. Also, do you have it in "auto" for the recirc or manual on or off?

[3liter1]

make sure the horizontal dial below the two center vents is turned to the left so it is showing all blue bars

[gjm120]

I set the temp to 60F (lowest setting), everything off then push the dash vent button. This puts the fan on low and brings in air that is somewhat warmer than the outside air. Increasing the fan speed only seems to bring in more heat. Sticking my hand out the window feels like an air conditioned space.

Also, I looked at the seal at the back of the hood and it looks fine.

[lowbudgethero]

I noticed this too, I assumed the electronics/transmission/heater core/etc gives off so much heat that whatever cool air comes in is heated up

[DarthFader]

Have you tried running the AC for several minutes to blast out the hot air then switch it off. On both my bimmers, if the engine is hot and the vehicle has been parked for more than 5 minutes I have to run AC to clear the hot air before non heated air will come thru the vents. Never happened on my other cars.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

I noticed this too, I assumed the electronics/transmission/heater core/etc gives off so much heat that whatever cool air comes in is heated up

That may be all there is to it. This is the only car I've been in where you couldn't get outside air at ambient temperature. Oh well.

[dandandan]

I noticed the exact same situation for my HVAC. Cold days outside but hot and often humid airflow inside.

Switching to non-auto does the trick but it takes a bit of time for the air to pass through the system and match outside temps.

[swagon]

HVAC sucks in the E82, or 135i at least. There's heat coming from the center tunnel right next to you feet, too.

It needs this little knob (under the door lock) which allows you to feed in fresh/warm air into the cabin indepently on the AC settings.

[dat128]

im sure its the heater/fan core taht is running hot.

if you reach down on the side of the center console next to your right leg while running the fan, you will be able to feel a spot that gets really really hot.
hot to the point where the heat from it will radiate throughout the driverside footwell and you will feel the radiating heat rise between your legs...

it has concerned me about fancore overheating, but im sure to address it the dash may have to come out, so ive been not using my fan unless im running AC.
Im sure you will experience something similar to mine.. (AC on Fan on, no overheat; AC off Fan on, overheating; Fan off, no overheating)

it sucks tho, as i prefer a constant stream of light breeze without AC on, but cant do that....

if someone gets this addressed, please post it on here for all

[MightyMouseTech]

I find my 135 will run hot water through the heater core after the car is shut off. I presume this is to try and prevent corrosion on the evaporator by drying it out. If I get back in the car, it will blow very warm/moist for quite a while before cooling down. Need to run the A/C for a minute or two to cool down the heater core, then turn off A/C and it is much better.

[lowbudgethero]

Originally Posted by dat128

im sure its the heater/fan core taht is running hot.

if you reach down on the side of the center console next to your right leg while running the fan, you will be able to feel a spot that gets really really hot.
hot to the point where the heat from it will radiate throughout the driverside footwell and you will feel the radiating heat rise between your legs...

it has concerned me about fancore overheating, but im sure to address it the dash may have to come out, so ive been not using my fan unless im running AC.
Im sure you will experience something similar to mine.. (AC on Fan on, no overheat; AC off Fan on, overheating; Fan off, no overheating)

it sucks tho, as i prefer a constant stream of light breeze without AC on, but cant do that....

if someone gets this addressed, please post it on here for all

I've actually had my radio shut off due to over heating with the heater on . I've thought about taking the kick panels out and trying to insulate the main ducting, but im not sure how much room there is there for peel and stick insulation.