please help. footwell clicking sound

[e30zrule]

Hi. I am new to this site, but have had my e30 318is for 5 years. Please could someone tell me if they have experienced a loud clicking sound from the footwell. I think i have isolated the problem, but dont know if it is normal. It apears to be coming from the water valve attatched to the heater core/matrix. The clicking gets faster as I accelerate but doesnt start clicking till I reach about 3000rpm. If I am booting it and reving it hard the air in the car blows cold, and only starts blowing hot again if I take it out of gear and let it freewheel in neutral. Any sugestions would be much appreciated. Thanx.

[carlos318is]

Hi mate Nice to see another from the UK

Yer it does sound like the valve is on its way out

Are you going to POD:confused:

[romeomike]

Hi. I am new to this site, but have had my e30 318is for 5 years. Please could someone tell me if they have experienced a loud clicking sound from the footwell. I think i have isolated the problem, but dont know if it is normal. It apears to be coming from the water valve attatched to the heater core/matrix. The clicking gets faster as I accelerate but doesnt start clicking till I reach about 3000rpm. If I am booting it and reving it hard the air in the car blows cold, and only starts blowing hot again if I take it out of gear and let it freewheel in neutral. Any sugestions would be much appreciated. Thanx.

Best guess is your Evaporator Temp Regulator doing its job. One task is not to cycle the compressor clutch if the system pressure is either too low or too high. Another task is to deenergize the compressor clutch as required to prevent the evaporator core from freezing up. I suspect that's the source of your clicks.

Since your compressor is belt-driven, it makes sense it can pump more refrigerant if it's turning faster and less capable at keeping up at lower speeds. I have a small thermometer I put in the vents to keep track of system performance, and the temperature will rise when I'm idling in traffic.

Hope that helps. Adios for now,

RM