thanks for the tip Dave. Yes, looks like i need both hoses Valve to heater core hose heater core to engine hose.
Heres a pic of what the heater core connector looks like on a 1997 m44.
The engine runs strong and never over heats, so that is a good sign. Does anyone know what potential problems, not having the heater core return hose hooked up to the heater core (as seems to be the case) might cause?