Webasto in a E31?

A lot of people tell me not to hide the engine in the bay
I don't know what to do

so u powdercoated that heater unit? I thought it look too clean!

Didn't someone say that they were running an extra alternator because of this heater? I thought the only 8's with the aux alternator were some japanese spec vehicles.

I agree that Webasto is a cool piece of kit. I have been searching also for similarly obscure OEM E31 Kit, you would be surprised what is out there, buried deep in the original German catalogues:

For example, I am quite sure none of you have OPTION 242-einzelne: BIER HELM



And equally I am convinced that I am the only 8er that has retro fitted OPTION 927-einzelne: Persönlichen Grill

Zitat von CaifanSC;106330

Didn't someone say that they were running an extra alternator because of this heater? I thought the only 8's with the aux alternator were some japanese spec vehicles.

The small 30A addtnl. alternator indeed was installed ex-factory when S536 AUXILIARY HEATING was ordered. This makes sense to me owning a retrofit aux. heater in my E39 - what does it help to have a warmed up car if it won´t start anymore After all the pumps live from battery juice only and something that helps charging the batteries quicker than usual seems indicated.

For Japan (J-spec) I do not find information about whether the addtnl. alternator was a standard item. The fact that it was found in one or some nevertheless is a strong indicator for it being a standard item since S536 was never available for Japan. Maybe the idea was that Japanese cars tend to sit in traffic jams more often and hence deplete the batteries quicker than the average ECE or US car.

A total of 1446 E31 came equipped with S536 AUXILIARY HEATING.
S536 was unavailable for the following markets: USA, Canada, Japan, all RHD.

Here is the breakdown of where they went

S536 was available throughout the entire production period of the E31 - the 1st car equipped with aux. heating was CB00001 on Aug 29, 1989 and the last ones to leave Dingolfing with S536 were the last LHD M62´s on May 11 & 12, 1999, CC61720 (M62 Auto) and CC36110 (M62 6spd).

Unfortunately mostly due to the lack of use those systems tend to break down with BMW normally neither keen or able to attempt a fix rather than the standard R&R (here: Remove and Replace) methods.

Cheers
Reinhard

Zitat von CaifanSC;106323

so u powdercoated that heater unit? I thought it look too clean!

the unit itself is only glass pearl blasted. A metal water pipe and the mounting frame are at the powder coater.

Zitat von CaifanSC;106330

Didn't someone say that they were running an extra alternator because of this heater? I thought the only 8's with the aux alternator were some japanese spec vehicles.

The official installation instructions indeed say that an aux alternator is required. I used to have an E32 based ALPINA B12 with a WEBASTO unit installed and it had no aux generator but a small extra motorcycle battery in the trunk.

Zitat von reinhard;106339

The small 30A addtnl. alternator indeed was installed ex-factory when S536 AUXILIARY HEATING was ordered. This makes sense to me owning a retrofit aux. heater in my E39 - what does it help to have a warmed up car if it won´t start anymore :laugh: ...........

I rather wait in a warm car for the tow truck than in an ice cold one
But wouldn't it make more sense to have more battery capacity instead as in E32 and also some other models? I used to have an E39-535i with the factory option installed and it also had only one alternator but a small extra battery.

Zitat von wokke;106343

But wouldn't it make more sense to have more battery capacity instead as in E32 and also some other models?

I´d say so - must be isolated circuitry though. Bit difficult in the E31 as all space is taken

Zitat

I used to have an E39-535i with the factory option installed and it also had only one alternator but a small extra battery.

Mine runs from the main battery and is not overly interested in leaving enough to start the car

Cheers
Reinhard

Moin Reinhard,

my E31 has already an auxiliary battery installed. Same size BTW as the main one.

Your E39 is a touring, isn't it? If so i think they indeed do not have an additional battery.

Zitat von wokke;106343

But wouldn't it make more sense to have more battery capacity instead as in E32 and also some other models?

Since you have a driving maschine and not a "standing in a basement collection 8er" it makes no difference.

Und Du wirst ja die Heizung nicht über die ganze Nacht die Batterie leerlutschen lassen!
Aber, weiss man's?

Zitat von reinhard;106339

Here is the breakdown of where they went

S536 Aux. Heating	Units
Belgium	21
Denmark	2
France	12
Germany	1130
Italy	34
Scandinavia	12
Spain	54
Switzerland	107
Other	74

Alles anzeigen

My CSi have the S536 Aux. heating unit but I have never used it.



I thought the second alternator was standard in a car with S536.

Cheers

Zitat von 8Harry8;106346

Since you have a driving maschine and not a "standing in a basement collection 8er" it makes no difference.

Und Du wirst ja die Heizung nicht über die ganze Nacht die Batterie leerlutschen lassen!
Aber, weiss man's?

Most likely I'll use the system only once in a while to make sure it still works.

Zitat von Martin;106347

My CSi have the S536 Aux. heating unit but I have never used it.



I thought the second alternator was standard in a car with S536.

Cheers

Alles anzeigen

Mine has it as well and also the secound alternator is mounted , but just as you I have never tested it , I do not dare to do it without a fire extinguisher close by
By the way you are missing the exhost tip on yours 64128351034

Regards
Terje

Zitat von huldra66;106350

.........
By the way you are missing the exhost tip on yours 64128351034

Regards
Terje

Typical Swiss

Zitat von reinhard;106339

The small 30A addtnl. alternator indeed was installed ex-factory when S536 AUXILIARY HEATING was ordered. This makes sense to me owning a retrofit aux. heater in my E39 - what does it help to have a warmed up car if it won´t start anymore After all the pumps live from battery juice only and something that helps charging the batteries quicker than usual seems indicated.

For Japan (J-spec) I do not find information about whether the addtnl. alternator was a standard item. The fact that it was found in one or some nevertheless is a strong indicator for it being a standard item since S536 was never available for Japan. Maybe the idea was that Japanese cars tend to sit in traffic jams more often and hence deplete the batteries quicker than the average ECE or US car.

A total of 1446 E31 came equipped with S536 AUXILIARY HEATING.
S536 was unavailable for the following markets: USA, Canada, Japan, all RHD.

Here is the breakdown of where they went

S536 Aux. Heating	Units
Belgium	21
Denmark	2
France	12
Germany	1130
Italy	34
Scandinavia	12
Spain	54
Switzerland	107
Other	74

S536 was available throughout the entire production period of the E31 - the 1st car equipped with aux. heating was CB00001 on Aug 29, 1989 and the last ones to leave Dingolfing with S536 were the last LHD M62´s on May 11 & 12, 1999, CC61720 (M62 Auto) and CC36110 (M62 6spd).

Unfortunately mostly due to the lack of use those systems tend to break down with BMW normally neither keen or able to attempt a fix rather than the standard R&R (here: Remove and Replace) methods.

Cheers
Reinhard

Alles anzeigen

I mean....this kinda info is what I'm talking about . Thanks Reinhard!

I'm surpriced to see only 2 of these systems in Sweeden? 12 in Scandinavia? I figured those countries would need that the most!

Last Friday I mounted the heater unit itself and all the water hoses. The official install instructions were helpful, but could be a bit more precise IMO.
It should for example state that the hose from the aux. water pump needs to be removed because a hose from the kit is going to be connected to it.
And I'm glad there was no engine in the way !!!
Otherwise you'd find the entire set in ebay right now

Zitat von wokke;106619

Hey Wolf, what is this piece mounted with a green bracket? I'm assuming is some sort of pressure valve? I was wondering if you can possibly get any part numbers or inscriptions in the body.

I'm reading the installation PDF but I"m not quite sure what connects to the hose that comes all the way from the bottom of this valve thing. Is it the coolant crossover from the back of the heads?