Search found 69 matches

by Hairyscreech
Thu 22 Oct, 2015 21:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: bugger
Replies: 30
Views: 5899

Re: bugger

That does look like it was delamination, I had a brand new E30 screen, genuine BMW one as well that I had no where to store, foolishly tucked it behind the shed for 6 months knowing it would be save from damage there and thinking "hey it's glass, what could happen?". Turns out delamination...
by Hairyscreech
Thu 22 Oct, 2015 21:55
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Roof Top needs small repair
Replies: 39
Views: 6399

Re: Roof Top needs small repair

Same here, fortunately mine is not lifting just the clips are cracked, I expect it is all down to the age of the plastic.
by Hairyscreech
Thu 22 Oct, 2015 21:49
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Speed Pulse Connection
Replies: 7
Views: 1351

Re: Speed Pulse Connection

What kind of signal does it need? You should be able to take one off the diff sensor for the dash or the ABS sensor. The OBC has a speed signal from the clocks as well.

What Z3 are you fitting it to?
by Hairyscreech
Thu 24 Sep, 2015 18:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: sort of knocking noise
Replies: 7
Views: 1701

Re: sort of knocking noise

Good catch, I have seen a loose plug "pop" when the car was started on an old cavalier 8v, it took the threads out of the head and a chunk out of the wall 20' away, much to the horror of the guy standing 2' from the open bonnet!

Might be a good excuse to do a full plug change.
by Hairyscreech
Thu 24 Sep, 2015 18:16
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Spare wheel
Replies: 19
Views: 3419

Re: Spare wheel

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can't even get a FRONT wheel in the boot. BMW supplied a plastic bag in which to place the removed wheel so that you put it inside the car without getting the seat dirty. If ever you have to do this, make sure that you full deflate the tyre before placin...
by Hairyscreech
Thu 24 Sep, 2015 18:10
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Brake bleeding issue, soft pedal
Replies: 5
Views: 1310

Brake bleeding issue, soft pedal

Afternoon all. Got a bit of a brake issue that is driving me up the wall now. Just had to overhaul the rear brakes and in the process air quite obviously got into the system, my brake pedal before hand was about an inch or two higher than the accelerator and now after a couple of bleeds it is still ...
by Hairyscreech
Sun 20 Sep, 2015 01:49
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?
Replies: 2088
Views: 411192

Re: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?

Complete new set of flexi brake hoses and a RH rear caliper as the nipples stuck, not looking forward to doing the whole lot tomorrow/Monday.
by Hairyscreech
Sun 20 Sep, 2015 01:43
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Spare wheel
Replies: 19
Views: 3419

Re: Spare wheel

With optional staggered wheels you can't even get them in the boot. :head:
by Hairyscreech
Sun 20 Sep, 2015 01:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Top mounts rattling after swapping out..!
Replies: 10
Views: 1954

Re: Top mounts rattling after swapping out..!

Are you sure it is the top mounts?

Could it be the "vibration dampers" the 6 cylinder cars have hidden behind the bumpers?
by Hairyscreech
Fri 11 Sep, 2015 07:29
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: a couple of questions......
Replies: 7
Views: 1272

Re: a couple of questions......

Is there a possibility that your switch was faulty and the car was stuck in/out of sport mode?

Have you tested the switch?
by Hairyscreech
Thu 10 Sep, 2015 13:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Noise near side rear
Replies: 11
Views: 2056

Re: Noise near side rear

I just found the video I was looking for the other day, the rear of this car is jacked up and it is running in gear, by slowing/stopping one wheel the drive is sent to the other wheel and you can see the effect of the cracked spool on the diff output flange. Wobble Wobble. This car was quiet as a mo...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 09 Sep, 2015 10:09
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: TCS Coming on for no reason
Replies: 25
Views: 4835

Re: TCS Coming on for no reason

In that case if it is a 2.8 car it is likely ASC+T as you say but not all 2.8s had the staggered set up. The car as standard could have come with either a "square" set up or staggered depending on what the customer requested, I saw one the other day with the square setup and it looked a bi...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 09 Sep, 2015 08:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?
Replies: 2088
Views: 411192

Re: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?

If the car is not an ZM then adding M badges can look a bit cheesy to anyone that knows the cars. The hand break handle looks ok, not sure about the shoulder pads, might be ok in an M though. The door handle covers really depend on the quality of them, if they look like aftermarket stick on tat then...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 09 Sep, 2015 08:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: TCS Coming on for no reason
Replies: 25
Views: 4835

Re: TCS Coming on for no reason

I guess the big question here is, did the car start life with a non-staggered setup. i.e. the 225/45/17 on both axles? As fitting the staggered 225/45/17 and 245/40/17 will change the expected wheel speeds. The staggered setup mean the rears actually rotate 1% faster when the car is coasting, Accele...
by Hairyscreech
Tue 08 Sep, 2015 15:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: exhaust emission warning light
Replies: 16
Views: 4226

Re: exhaust emission warning light

Worth bearing in mind there are some fault codes that will keep the light on until cleared out of the ECU, I think the ones that say "emission relevant fault" might be persistent and not self clearing.
by Hairyscreech
Tue 08 Sep, 2015 14:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: exhaust emission warning light
Replies: 16
Views: 4226

Re: exhaust emission warning light

As I have found while fitting the M50tu management onto the M20 in my E30, this generation of ECU chucks "implausible" or "Plausibility error" results for a whole range of unrelated reasons. I have a plausibility error on one of the knock sensors at the moment which does not swap...
by Hairyscreech
Tue 08 Sep, 2015 13:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: exhaust emission warning light
Replies: 16
Views: 4226

Re: exhaust emission warning light

What Bladerunner said, sounds like it needs a proper diagnose instead of a generic reader shoved into it. I get the feeling it has a simple fault and the garages have been changing things to fix it without doing a proper diagnosis. How well does it start when you turn the key? What colour are your s...
by Hairyscreech
Tue 08 Sep, 2015 12:56
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: TCS Coming on for no reason
Replies: 25
Views: 4835

Re: TCS Coming on for no reason

The sensors are only hall effect sensors, unplug them and check the resistance, then check the resistance changes when the hub is turned. Edit - Should be about 1000 Ohms. (1KOhm) Not sure what the correct resistance for a z3 sensor is but you should be able to compare front to rear and L to R to ge...
by Hairyscreech
Tue 08 Sep, 2015 08:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: TCS Coming on for no reason
Replies: 25
Views: 4835

Re: TCS Coming on for no reason

You don't have 3 new and one very worn tyre do you? That can be enough to do this.

Are your tyre sizes and profiles correct on all wheels, do you have standard wheels/tyre sizes for your car on?

Are your wheel speed sensors and trigger rings all ok and not dirty/corroded?
by Hairyscreech
Mon 07 Sep, 2015 09:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Noise near side rear
Replies: 11
Views: 2056

Re: Noise near side rear

It's a specific type of expanding foam you need, it's now quite common to use it for automotive box sections but you need a closed cell foam, otherwise it will soak up water like a sponge with the inevitable rust issues that would cause. I will look it up when I get home later as I was planning to p...
by Hairyscreech
Mon 07 Sep, 2015 08:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: On Board Computer
Replies: 6
Views: 1362

Re: On Board Computer

If your current OBC is going to be put into the bin then I would be interested in taking a look at it, similar issues happen with the E30 and E34 where the OBC blows a capacitor and this destroys a track on the PCB, the result is the OBC will light and switch modes but not actually process any data....
by Hairyscreech
Mon 24 Aug, 2015 11:55
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: MOT's and the non white bulb
Replies: 7
Views: 3856

Re: MOT's and the non white bulb

I painted the whole bulb with the clear orange. Masked off half the bulb and used silver paint on the part of the bulb that you can see. The tester tried to fail it because he could see no orange. I asked him what colour it was when it flashed - he admitted that he hadn't checked. He passed it when...
by Hairyscreech
Mon 24 Aug, 2015 11:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Dash Cams
Replies: 22
Views: 5375

Re: Dash Cams

Check his other videos, there are a couple at night. Have to say pingu, looks like where you live people drive like saints, you should see some of the things I see around mid Wiltshire, the "40 in a 60 swerving randomly across the white lines and on several occasions nearly hitting the LH bank&...
by Hairyscreech
Mon 24 Aug, 2015 11:37
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Battery died
Replies: 13
Views: 2352

Re: Battery died

Do the Z3 alternators have replaceable regulators/brushing packs like the older BMW alternators? If so its quite common that low alternator output can come from failing regulators or worn/failing brushings, on the older alternators the brushing pack and regulator is ~£14 and will restore a weak (12-...
by Hairyscreech
Sun 23 Aug, 2015 21:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ZRoadster.net Members with Diagnostic Kit
Replies: 93
Views: 60838

Re: ZRoadster.net Members with Diagnostic Kit

I have just got my INPA set up working and have both ADS and OBD 20 pin connectors and OBD 16 pin, I have only tried it out on my 97 car with ADS but have successfully cleared the usual seatbelt pre-tensioner air bag light so its all working. I need to do a bit of fiddling and get it out of German l...
by Hairyscreech
Fri 21 Aug, 2015 17:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear Suspension and wheels and gaps and stuff
Replies: 18
Views: 4474

Re: Rear Suspension and wheels and gaps and stuff

The race cars had 225/70s I believe.
by Hairyscreech
Fri 21 Aug, 2015 11:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: First mod on my Orinoco, 17s or 18s ?
Replies: 6
Views: 2134

Re: First mod on my Orinoco, 17s or 18s ?

The sharpness you mention can be reclaimed with Z3M rear front control arm bushes and by using E30 wishbones without the rubber mounted ball joints. Both give significant flex.
by Hairyscreech
Fri 21 Aug, 2015 11:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear Suspension and wheels and gaps and stuff
Replies: 18
Views: 4474

Re: Rear Suspension and wheels and gaps and stuff

To be fair the tyres do look period and cars of that time would have been on 16" or 17" wire wheels so the size is not really far off, trouble is the 250 had 15" wheels and 185/80 profile tyres for a diameter of 675mm. (147mm sidewall). With a 235 width tyre at 65% profile you have 15...
by Hairyscreech
Fri 21 Aug, 2015 08:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear subframe and trailing arm bushes
Replies: 1
Views: 531

Re: Rear subframe and trailing arm bushes

Where about's in Swansea are you? Lived up there for 7 years.

Always did my own work so not sure on the garages around the place, I know the BMW independent on fabian way are good, Helpful and knowledgeable. Almost certain to have the tool to do it as well.
by Hairyscreech
Thu 20 Aug, 2015 16:00
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fuel
Replies: 20
Views: 4302

Re: Fuel

Its also worth noting I think all of the Z3 engines have knock sensing, It was introduced with the E36 M50B25TU and the E36 M43B19. So no need to worry about detonation.
by Hairyscreech
Wed 19 Aug, 2015 09:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fuel
Replies: 20
Views: 4302

Re: Fuel

Yikes, BMWs have had hardened valve seats since at least the 3200 of the early 60s. Germany have had unleaded fuel for a lot longer than we have. No modern BMW will need leaded fuel and certainly no car with an aluminium head. The whole leaded fuel for old cars comes from cheap old cast iron heads o...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 12 Aug, 2015 12:24
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Poly bushes - good or bad?
Replies: 15
Views: 5867

Re: Poly bushes - good or bad?

did you try driving it with the rubber bushes and before the box change? if yes what was it like in comparison? I fitted polly to the front but not to the rear (hadn't gotten around to it yet) suppose you could argue that if polly is better then why doesn't bmw ( or anyone else come to that) fit th...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 12 Aug, 2015 12:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Suspected Head Gasket Failure
Replies: 12
Views: 4219

Re: Z3 Suspected Head Gasket Failure

On engine with siamese bores it's not uncommon to find a weak engine is actually pumping between adjacent cylinders. Tell me about it. My Sprite had a new engine just before I got it for that very reason. It drove fine, but stalled rather easily. Turned out to be a crack in the head and a crack in ...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 12 Aug, 2015 12:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Poly bushes - good or bad?
Replies: 15
Views: 5867

Re: Poly bushes - good or bad?

This is quite a contentious issue but I hear it a lot and there are some factors that are just never considered. The first thing is to determine if the bush needs rotating motion or flexture, if it has to flew then hard poly bushes will actually reduce traction by creating stiction and an undamped s...
by Hairyscreech
Tue 11 Aug, 2015 14:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Suspected Head Gasket Failure
Replies: 12
Views: 4219

Re: Z3 Suspected Head Gasket Failure

On engine with siamese bores it's not uncommon to find a weak engine is actually pumping between adjacent cylinders. Although the bores are not quite siamese (casting walls touching each other inside the water jacket) on the BMW engines they are still very close and blowing gaskets between the bores...
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 12:11
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Airbag/seat belt Light Diagnosis
Replies: 13
Views: 4747

Re: Airbag/seat belt Light Diagnosis

This is a similar issue to my airbag light but I have not dug into mine yet.

I believe the Z3 is not fully OBD2, do you have a round 20pin connector under the bonnet?

If so your issue may be that you need an ADS connection to that plug to fully access the ABS unit.
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 12:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Brakes.
Replies: 15
Views: 2918

Re: Brakes.

I thought that, if that price is for a pair that is astronomically good value for E36M discs.

Are they solid or floating though?
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 10:36
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Question about front bumper and MOT
Replies: 6
Views: 1206

Re: Question about front bumper and MOT

For the sake of clarity should anyone come across this later on. Section 1.2 of the test manual on accessory stop lights. "Additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested. Where extra lamps are fitted and there is doubt as to whether they are connected, the benefit of this doubt shoul...
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 08:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Does this need fixing?
Replies: 42
Views: 6599

Re: Does this need fixing?

He has just said in the brakes thread he has a full set of pads and discs on the way.
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 08:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Question about front bumper and MOT
Replies: 6
Views: 1206

Re: Question about front bumper and MOT

Slightly different failure there. 3rd brake lights are a bit odd, The rules state 2 working stop/tail lamps. 3rd brake light IF CONNECTED must work. If it is totally out and "not connected" then its ok, if only 50% of it lights then it is connected and non functional so thus a failure. :he...
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 08:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Question about front bumper and MOT
Replies: 6
Views: 1206

Re: Question about front bumper and MOT

Early Z3s had marker lights on the side of the bumpers, these are only accessory lighting on the UK MOT and are a US requirement. I am not even sure if these fall under the "if fitted, must work" rule, I believe it's only an advisory for marker lights not fitted. As said you still have 2 w...
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 07:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Does this need fixing?
Replies: 42
Views: 6599

Re: Does this need fixing?

Nahh, looks fine to me.

If your really worried run a line of mig weld up it and take it back with a flap disc. Should get another few thousand out of it.

:shock:
by Hairyscreech
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 07:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Who Supplies OEM Spares?
Replies: 11
Views: 2018

Re: Who Supplies OEM Spares?

Bosch and Siemens make a lot of the sensors as they also do the ECUs (motronic for the Bosch and MS for the Siemens). FEBI (bilstein) do some of the oem sensors, certainly the TPS sensor as I just picked one up aftermarket and the BMW PN is machined off as is common for OEM parts sold aftermarket. P...
by Hairyscreech
Thu 06 Aug, 2015 08:15
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Brakes.
Replies: 15
Views: 2918

Re: Brakes.

Greenstuff work ok but not on a light car, hard to get them up to temperature on a mini or kit car. Had them on a 1300 cooper and found I just couldn't brake enough to keep them warm. The yellow stuff and blue stuff pads are great, used them on an S50B32 powered E36 compact. Note - None of these 3 a...
by Hairyscreech
Thu 06 Aug, 2015 07:53
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Suspected Head Gasket Failure
Replies: 12
Views: 4219

Re: Z3 Suspected Head Gasket Failure

What symptoms does it show?

How does the current owner know it has head gasket failure?
by Hairyscreech
Thu 06 Aug, 2015 07:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Second fuel tank in boot
Replies: 17
Views: 2799

Re: Second fuel tank in boot

Yikes, that's bad, Glad manual was top of the requirements list. :shock: It's not a disastrous procedure to convert to manual on the BWMs as long as you have a manual donor. Around town the manual is not a lot better, 24-26 seems to be average, my run to work is currently 29mpg (up from 22 in the E3...
by Hairyscreech
Wed 05 Aug, 2015 12:06
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Quick question
Replies: 4
Views: 854

Re: Quick question

yep, all 5 bolt bmw wheels up to about 2006 are 72.4 except the e39 which is 74.something.
by Hairyscreech
Wed 05 Aug, 2015 11:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Second fuel tank in boot
Replies: 17
Views: 2799

Re: Second fuel tank in boot

That's not bad. The 2.8 does 31-35mpg on a run.

Did a swift trip up to south wales the other week and got 33mpg, for the power output that's not bad.
by Hairyscreech
Wed 05 Aug, 2015 11:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Brakes.
Replies: 15
Views: 2918

Re: Brakes.

BMW tend to use hard discs and require softer pads, a lot of cheap pads are really hard.

I had pretty poor brakes on the Z when I first picked it up, a new set of pagid pads really solved that. Pagid used to be OEM for quite a few makes.

At £25 a pair it really makes no sense to use anything else.
by Hairyscreech
Tue 04 Aug, 2015 15:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Wishbone ball joint.
Replies: 17
Views: 1562

Re: Wishbone ball joint.

They can have a habit of squeaking, one way around it is to fit a grease nipple to the trailing arm and periodically grease them (as should be the case for most poly bushes).
Not sure if there is enough room in the Z for that though?