Search found 2132 matches

by Del
Tue 19 May, 2020 09:49
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Lambda / Oxygen Sensor
Replies: 5
Views: 2602

Re: Lambda / Oxygen Sensor

Agree with the comments above. Only one pre-cat lambda on the UK M44 engine. If it's struggling on CO at the MOT it's often the aftermarket Cat
by Del
Sun 12 Jan, 2020 20:48
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New Rear Window or Entire Roof
Replies: 8
Views: 5022

Re: New Rear Window or Entire Roof

It's only glued from the factory. I've used Bostik Soft Plastic Clear Adhesive successfully in the past and others have used "Stormsure". Apply glue and used a credit card to get the canvas to tuck under the plastic strip. Do not be tempted to use typical super glue as it dries hard/crusty...
by Del
Mon 15 Jul, 2019 17:38
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Z3m Help needed
Replies: 3
Views: 4065

Re: Z3m Help needed

As it only happens when the engine is hot, resumes when the engine cools AND causes a total engine stop (as opposed to rough running) I would guess at heat soak into a failing crankshaft position sensor (aka engine speed sensor).
by Del
Sun 07 Jul, 2019 20:16
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Porsche Boxster S (986 - 3.2l)
Replies: 3
Views: 6182

Re: Porsche Boxster S (986 - 3.2l)

Nice car and nice Porsche colour. It looks like it just caught the facelift around that time and has the de-tangoed lights and glass rear window. Good luck with the sale - nice car. :sunny
by Del
Sat 02 Feb, 2019 18:06
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Bilstein B6 on stock springs
Replies: 6
Views: 2699

Re: Bilstein B6 on stock springs

I suspect that the B4/B6 versus B8 confusion is caused by the optional M Sport suspension (20mm lower and shorter firmer shock) fitted to some standard cars from factory. I suspect that application charts struggle to articulate these differences. When I replaced my shocks I found that they were so w...
by Del
Wed 02 Jan, 2019 23:47
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: Hello everybody
Replies: 5
Views: 5868

Re: Hello everybody

Hi and welcome - we don't see many Z8s :shock: :shock: :D
by Del
Wed 02 Jan, 2019 23:43
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: Resurecting an Orinnoco 2.8
Replies: 6
Views: 6267

Re: Resurecting an Orinnoco 2.8

Hi and welcome. That 2.8 engine has a reputation for being very tough - some might say "bullet-proof". Enjoy the car. :)
by Del
Sat 24 Nov, 2018 11:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Battery Life
Replies: 5
Views: 3481

Re: Battery Life

I've not had good experience (failures between 1 to 4 years) with budget battery (unknown) brands - regardless of the care given to them. Personally, I have a soft spot for Exide.
by Del
Sat 27 Oct, 2018 20:00
Forum: BMW Car Club and Z Register
Topic: Lower control arm Z3 M
Replies: 6
Views: 20251

Re: Lower control arm Z3 M

On my 1.9, I accessed them from above using a couple of connected half-inch socket extensions and a flexi-joint - this gave just enough wriggle room. On your M I am guessing the engine bay is a little more cramped? :) From below I then simply drove a splitter fork between the ball joint and chassis ...
by Del
Wed 13 Jun, 2018 19:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 1.9 Pre facelift M44 Engine. Lambada probe
Replies: 7
Views: 3422

Re: Z3 1.9 Pre facelift M44 Engine. Lambada probe

CO (carbon monoxide) measured in the UK MOT. High CO is caused by either overly rich mixture or failed (failing) catalytic converter. If the ECU has logged no sensor error codes I would guess at a failing catalytic converter :(
by Del
Thu 25 Jan, 2018 22:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Please help save my 2.8L all original atlanta blue!
Replies: 15
Views: 5846

Re: Please help save my 2.8L all original atlanta blue!

May have bent the control arm (aka wishbone). New front pair £150 - DIY replace. Tracking check £50. The bonnet doesn't look pushed out of place or twisted so I would get estimates from the dent experts e.g. Dentmagic and similar - you be amazed what they can do if the paint is still in place. There...
by Del
Mon 08 Jan, 2018 23:13
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Return of the Z
Replies: 4
Views: 3035

Re: Return of the Z

Welcome back - your new one does sound like a rare one indeed :D
by Del
Mon 08 Jan, 2018 23:10
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: off line for a bit
Replies: 15
Views: 6934

Re: off line for a bit

Get well soon :)
by Del
Tue 19 Dec, 2017 23:05
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Cold engine RPM
Replies: 18
Views: 6740

Re: Z3 Cold engine RPM

I notice you must have the 1.9 twin cam M44 engine as your car is circa 1997. These engines are tough reliable and bullet-proof but were renowned for a slightly rough idle – one solution used by the BMW technicians was to manually tweak the ignition timing. The later M43 MAFs and M44 MAFs are differ...
by Del
Sat 25 Nov, 2017 22:55
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear tracking?
Replies: 8
Views: 3703

Re: Rear tracking?

Unusual as the Z3 has a certain amount of natural OE negative camber (rear) and the usual problem is extra wear on the inside of the rear tyres when people have lowered the car or have soggy, worn suspension/springs. Is it possibly the front that has the "tracking" problem and the tyres ha...
by Del
Wed 22 Nov, 2017 23:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Help!!! Power steering pipe
Replies: 3
Views: 2065

Re: Help!!! Power steering pipe

Very strange - never seen this mentioned before as a recurring problem. The power steering on these cars is a relatively simple hydraulic system containing ATF oil. The only problems I've seen (similar to this) are old steel pipe sections rusting/fracturing and/or the rubber hose sections either agi...
by Del
Mon 20 Nov, 2017 23:07
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Control arm replacement
Replies: 9
Views: 6220

Re: Control arm replacement

Are the M ones significantly different from the non-M cars? If so, I apologise. When I changed mine (non M car), I clipped together two 6 inch extensions and a flexi joint and attacked the inner retaining nut (from above) from the engine bay. This set-up gave sufficient "wriggle room" and ...
by Del
Mon 06 Nov, 2017 16:35
Forum: Better Driving
Topic: You just go off the dual carriageway and then back on......
Replies: 6
Views: 18614

Re: You just go off the dual carriageway and then back on......

Probably an EU health and safety directive :D
by Del
Mon 06 Nov, 2017 16:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New Hardtop
Replies: 7
Views: 3859

Re: New Hardtop

Looks very nice. These little cars look great with their hard top on. They almost look like another version of BMW. The tops are also nicely made with a nice insulated lining :)
by Del
Thu 02 Nov, 2017 17:48
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: A returned member
Replies: 16
Views: 9896

Re: A returned member

Hi and welcome back - one of the rarer colours Palmetto Green
by Del
Mon 23 Oct, 2017 22:15
Forum: Spotted!
Topic: silver z3 53 plate whitchurch
Replies: 6
Views: 5463

Re: silver z3 53 plate whitchurch

An 04 plate is a first for me, before that the newest I'd ever seen was a 53 and that was on this forum :o
by Del
Fri 29 Sep, 2017 20:16
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Headlights!
Replies: 8
Views: 4280

Re: Headlights!

For old school halogen lights, I've found the Z3 quite good. I would try new uprated Osram/Phillips bulbs in the first instance as suggested above.
by Del
Sat 16 Sep, 2017 08:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?
Replies: 17
Views: 8735

Re: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?

The UK twin cam M44 1.9 definitely only has one pre-cat Lambda - 100% certain.
The UK single cam M43 1.9 (TU) which followed around mid-1999 was OBD II/emissions compliant and had the usual pre and post cat lambdas
by Del
Wed 13 Sep, 2017 22:28
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?
Replies: 17
Views: 8735

Re: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?

Definitely no MAP and/or Vacuum sensor on the M44. I thought these, plus the "boost" reading on your Torque app, relate to more modern turbocharged engines. Things like Torque and Carista (which I use on my Audi) are fairly generic. The M44 is quite "old school" and was not even ...
by Del
Wed 06 Sep, 2017 10:48
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Temporary brake failure - advice
Replies: 11
Views: 6046

Re: Temporary brake failure - advice

My understanding is that when the pedal travels to the floor like this it is the fault of the brake fluid. I would get some top quality Dot 4 in there with a much higher boiling point i.e. Castrol React Performance - I've got this in my cars. People (unlike me :D ) who regularly get involved in &quo...
by Del
Sat 02 Sep, 2017 07:36
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: I'm coming back!
Replies: 2
Views: 2414

Re: I'm coming back!

The sills are just "covers" they are not structural. They can be removed for better treatment - see attached link:- https://zroadster.org/threads/sill-removal-and-rust-prevention.371/#p25361 I haven't seen them but if you are on a budget, you may be able to repair them for the time being. ...
by Del
Mon 28 Aug, 2017 08:26
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: New Member
Replies: 2
Views: 4760

Re: New Member

Hi and welcome - lovely engine the 2.8
by Del
Sat 26 Aug, 2017 17:16
Forum: Performance
Topic: Re-Map advice please
Replies: 3
Views: 5316

Re: Re-Map advice please

My daily driver is a turbocharged Audi and many Audi owners use a firm called Revo who have nationwide operators. I haven't used them myself (I keep mine standard :D ) and I'm not sure if they just specialise in VAG cars. It sounds as if you want something designated "stage 1" which just o...
by Del
Sun 20 Aug, 2017 09:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: MOT concern
Replies: 13
Views: 5785

Re: MOT concern

For me, the priorities would be the rusty coil springs and control arm bushes. With regard to oil leaks - many wouldn't even bother to mention that - although it's nice to cure it if poss. Advisories can be a bit subjective and silly at times - one MOT station near me insists on mentioning OE under-...
by Del
Tue 01 Aug, 2017 09:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Handbrake service
Replies: 10
Views: 4785

Re: Handbrake service

Not a fan of this rear (hand)brake drum system myself. I strongly suspect that the shoes and mechanism never get inspected at "inspections" and there are too many parts to potentially fail e.g. the shoes, the springs, the adjusters and the hole in the backing plate for the "spring pin...
by Del
Sun 30 Jul, 2017 08:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: It stopped ..downhill ?
Replies: 6
Views: 3212

Re: It stopped ..downhill ?

Not sure how steep this hill is but really there are only two things that I can think of that would be affected by the car being positioned on a very steep incline. Firstly, the petrol (as you have already outlined) and secondly, the engine oil. The latter is affected by extreme car "positionin...
by Del
Mon 24 Jul, 2017 20:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 21927

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

Most modern MAFs contain an air temperature sensor so that they don’t just measure air passing the probe but also, by knowing the air temperature, the ECU can take millisecond calculations as to the density of the air going into the engine and adjust the mixture accurately. In hot conditions, the ai...
by Del
Mon 24 Jul, 2017 07:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Sad day !!!!
Replies: 8
Views: 4053

Re: Sad day !!!!

:bawl: :bawl: Dare I ask if you are replacing it with another sports car?
by Del
Sat 22 Jul, 2017 19:16
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Coolant flush reveals oil in water.
Replies: 3
Views: 2243

Re: Coolant flush reveals oil in water.

Sounds as if there is a slight HG leak around one of the waterways. You don't really want water to find its way to the piston crown. Whilst opinions differ, many people think it is best to get a head skimmed after HG failure due to overheating as modern alloy heads warp quick easily - I don't know w...
by Del
Sat 15 Jul, 2017 22:14
Forum: Z4M roadster and Z4m coupé
Topic: Inspection 1
Replies: 4
Views: 6131

Re: Inspection 1

Always best in my view to go with BMW as long is the price is right. I suspect your M model needs special oil - 10W-60? and one can never be sure what a smaller, high street garage sticks in. I guess that includes the price of oil, oil filter, pollen filter and a general check over? I know that brak...
by Del
Sat 15 Jul, 2017 16:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Help with some fault codes
Replies: 6
Views: 3334

Re: Help with some fault codes

If you have a 1997 1.9 it will be the M44 engine as mine is. The INPA codes vary slightly depending on the version of the ECU (DME) you have in the car. The M44 has Bosch DME M5.2. Code 10 is a generic (unspecified) pre-cat lambda error code. The diagnostics on these pre-OBD II cars is not as sophis...
by Del
Fri 14 Jul, 2017 22:02
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Latest trauma - bonnet stuck!
Replies: 9
Views: 4476

Re: Latest trauma - bonnet stuck!

make a small hook on the end of a piece of garden wire and probe into the catch. I've done this successfully
by Del
Thu 06 Jul, 2017 22:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS fault unsolvable bricked car
Replies: 20
Views: 15045

Re: ABS fault unsolvable bricked car

Suggest a search on this forum under "BBA Reman" who repair these things quite cheaply - common fault (solder joints) on these older BMW ABS pumps - I've seen the figure £200 banded about. :D
by Del
Thu 06 Jul, 2017 11:55
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Picked up my new-to-me Z3 yesterday and it rained overnight...
Replies: 4
Views: 2928

Re: Picked up my new-to-me Z3 yesterday and it rained overnight...

I my view most likely to be the plug at the top of the windscreen pillar - it dribbles along the side and typically falls on the seat

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=36965&p=345112#p345112
by Del
Wed 05 Jul, 2017 21:34
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: Hello everyone !
Replies: 2
Views: 4580

Re: Hello everyone !

Hi and welcome to another BMW fanatic :D
by Del
Wed 05 Jul, 2017 21:28
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 21927

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

I would definitely recommend first getting the car plugged into a code reader to check if any errors have been logged on the ECU. Pinking due to carbon build-up is not at all common in these cars as they have traditional "port injection" and not the more modern "direct injection"...
by Del
Wed 05 Jul, 2017 21:16
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Z3M Brakes
Replies: 6
Views: 5462

Re: Z3M Brakes

Good plan to replace the hoses at the same time as overhauling the brakes as the hoses can break down inside and cause flow restriction and similar symptoms to s sticking calliper. Complete callipers can be obtained from big companies like GSF and Euro Car parts – they will be original BMW/ATE “refu...
by Del
Sat 24 Jun, 2017 10:12
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: New owner
Replies: 5
Views: 5998

Re: New owner

Hi and welcome

All those faults sound "do-able" and some typical for the vintage - if somebody plonked a Z3M on my own drive with those faults I'd still be happy :)
by Del
Tue 20 Jun, 2017 09:25
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Auxiliary/ serpentine belt has come off, advice please!
Replies: 7
Views: 2942

Re: Auxiliary/ serpentine belt has come off, advice please!

As above. They shouldn't just pop off like that. It suggests that the belt is loose which would point the finger at the tensioner. It should be obvious when you try to pull back the tensioner with a spanner/socket to refit the belt.
by Del
Sun 11 Jun, 2017 22:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: rocker cover oil leak.
Replies: 3
Views: 2024

Re: rocker cover oil leak.

It's quite common for the rocker covers to develop a leak. The rubber just shrinks and hardens with age. Crankcase pressure from hot oil vapours etc would normally be "vented" via the little round plastic valve at the rear of the inlet manifold system. If blocked you would experience runni...
by Del
Sat 03 Jun, 2017 10:32
Forum: Z4M roadster and Z4m coupé
Topic: Coolant
Replies: 3
Views: 4748

Re: Coolant

I don't know what your handbook says but my 1998 z3 one talks about changing it every three years. However, my wife's 2010 BMW Mini uses the same, inky-blue antifreeze and the service regime is now to leave it in indefinitely unless it discolours. My daily driver Audi uses pink and that gets left in...
by Del
Fri 02 Jun, 2017 12:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Expensive problem still not fully resolved
Replies: 35
Views: 14569

Re: Expensive problem still not fully resolved

Rough idle, a mysterious rattle and inconsistent running above/below the 3000 rpm threshold - I'd put a "possible" Vanos problem under the spotlight - lots of videos on YouTube giving examples of symptoms etc.
by Del
Tue 30 May, 2017 22:01
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Sill Repair/Replacement
Replies: 8
Views: 6074

Re: Sill Repair/Replacement

I agree with SHRS2000 if you are going to keep the car as a cherished 2-seater sports car. I took the view it was much cheaper to renovate an attractive BMW 2-seater than to buy a newer sports car. 2-seaters seem to age well in the "looks dept" anyway. The rust will be worse behind the stu...
by Del
Mon 29 May, 2017 22:27
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Passenger door won't open
Replies: 15
Views: 4817

Re: Passenger door won't open

Are you absolutely sure its a mechanical problem with the door lock. A common problem is the batch of 8 or so wires which go through the rear bootlid. These are mainly alarm/central locking related and "stress fracture" with age causing an "open circuit" and for the relevant fuse...
by Del
Mon 29 May, 2017 22:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Coolant flushing
Replies: 16
Views: 30211

Re: Coolant flushing

The BMW stuff is strange blue, inky looking stuff which I haven't been able to duplicate elsewhere - it's longlife so I tend to stick with it. I get my distilled water from Tesco - just over £1 for 2.5 litres. I 50/50 mix it in a separate container (litre by litre) and pour it in.