3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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Uncle_Clanger
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Joined: Wed 13 Apr, 2016 06:36
Posts: 21

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by Uncle_Clanger »

Hello all... I'm hoping this is the correct forum for this question. I have a 2000 3.0 roadster and it's not running so well... There is about a half second lag after first touching the accelerator pedal. This has been problematic when pulling away unless I give it alot more gas :? ... The revs actually drop and it can stall. It's been in the garage recently and there was a fault pointing in the direction of the inlet cam sensor but that fault cleared itself? Could it be something else? Has anybody else had a similar issue and if so how was it solved?

Also what's the general consensus on diagnostic tools? Which is a good one (easy to use)

Many thanks in advance for your advice and expertise.
tfp
Joined: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 20:17
Posts: 78

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by tfp »

I had an inlet cam sensor done on mine, same symptoms you are describing.

Also on hot start up turned over a bit longer before firing up.

All cured after the sensor replaced.

Tim
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by mrscalex »

Many years ago I had an XR3i :oops: It had the same symptoms as yours and ended up with new injectors.

Cam sensor sounds like a better place to start though.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
wonderloaf
Joined: Mon 02 Aug, 2010 20:55
Posts: 518

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Basingstoke

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by wonderloaf »

I've just been experiencing very similar symptoms on my 2.2, put into the local garage any they tried cleaning out the throttle body which has certainly helped the tick over and starting from cold, but no change to the other symptoms. I ran a diagnostics and it said a cam sensor problem, but the guy in the garage reckons it's something else. He's done some research and spoken to a few people and he's confident that it's the Vanos seals (?) and is preparing a quote for me.
Guess I'll wait and see!
2001 Titan Silver 2.2 Sport
Uncle_Clanger
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Joined: Wed 13 Apr, 2016 06:36
Posts: 21

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by Uncle_Clanger »

Thanks for all your input guys.... Tim do you also have a 3. 0? Was it an intermittent problem? I think I'll run a diagnostic myself and if it flags the same fault just replace the inlet sensor... I don't think they are a crazy price? :?:

Anyone recommend a decent simple to use diagnostic tool?
tfp
Joined: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 20:17
Posts: 78

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by tfp »

Uncle_Clanger wrote:Thanks for all your input guys.... Tim do you also have a 3. 0? Was it an intermittent problem? I think I'll run a diagnostic myself and if it flags the same fault just replace the inlet sensor... I don't think they are a crazy price? :?:

Anyone recommend a decent simple to use diagnostic tool?
Mine's a 2.2

My local specialist did it, was £150 inc Vat. Diagnosed, supplied and fitted.

It started running rough at low revs on my way home from collecting the car from the dealer, drove it straight to the garage next day so didn't find out if it was intermittent.
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by Del »

If the diagnostic says it's a cam sensor then there is no doubt - it is the cam sensor. Cam sensor ECU errors aren't usually caused as a secondary result of something else being faulty.
Uncle_Clanger
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Joined: Wed 13 Apr, 2016 06:36
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by Uncle_Clanger »

Del wrote:If the diagnostic says it's a cam sensor then there is no doubt - it is the cam sensor. Cam sensor ECU errors aren't usually caused as a secondary result of something else being faulty.
Cheers Del... The fault had cleared itself and the lagging eased... But it's back and I've stalled at the lights 3 times today (mx 5 drove around me... Shame!)

Brian has said faults can clear or appear to clear depending on engine temp so this could explain the situation... The sensor is probably the issue so time to book in again.
Uncle_Clanger
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Joined: Wed 13 Apr, 2016 06:36
Posts: 21

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by Uncle_Clanger »

Quick update on the Lagging issue... Drove to the garage, curiously the car didn't skip a beat, the diagnostic read a fault on the inlet cam sensor... And a fault on the exhaust sensor? Mechanic thought it sas a little odd these faults were reading simultaneously... Not sure why. Will start with a new sensor (oem standard probably bosch) 1 hours labour plus about £60 for the part... Really hope this is the end of my sensor woes :head:
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OldskoolRS
Joined: Mon 06 Feb, 2012 14:23
Posts: 412

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Wokingham

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by OldskoolRS »

When I first got my 3.0 I felt it was a little lacking/flat low down, but since I'd only driven 1.9 and 2.2 models prior to this I just assumed it was typical. However it turned out to have a faulty cam sensor (though I forget now which one). Once I replaced it and reset the code the car had much more pull low down and felt like a 3 litre should, so it was well worth doing. It didn't give a light on the dash, so it was only by checking for codes that I confirmed it. Annoyingly I mentioned the lack of pull to the dealer when I test drove it, but he claimed it was OK and it was a 'trade sale' so I had to pay for the part myself.

Hope you get yours sorted soon Uncle_Clanger.
tfp
Joined: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 20:17
Posts: 78

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by tfp »

[quote="OldskoolRS"] Annoyingly I mentioned the lack of pull to the dealer when I test drove it, but he claimed it was OK and it was a 'trade sale' so I had to pay for the part myself.

/quote]

No such thing as a trade sale when a dealer is selling to the public.

Your statuary rights over rides anything they may write on the invoice.
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OldskoolRS
Joined: Mon 06 Feb, 2012 14:23
Posts: 412

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Wokingham

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by OldskoolRS »

You're 4 years too late with that advice. :D Still a £50 sensor wasn't the end of the world. At least I know it's fully sorted now that I'm selling it.
tfp
Joined: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 20:17
Posts: 78

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by tfp »

OldskoolRS wrote:You're 4 years too late with that advice. :D Still a £50 sensor wasn't the end of the world. At least I know it's fully sorted now that I'm selling it.
Understand, wouldn't be worth taking them to court for £50.

It just really annoys me when dealers think they can get away from their obligations by writing stuff like "trade sale" and "no warranty given or implied"

A trade sale only applies if they're selling to another dealer.
Julie Z3
Joined: Mon 22 Nov, 2010 09:47
Posts: 218

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Bristol

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by Julie Z3 »

Seems to be a common problem when purchasing a secondhand 3.0! Ours was not what we expected on the drive home , same symptoms as yours and always wanted to play silly buggers when pulling onto a busy roundabout. Just my opinion but spend the £100 and get a genuine part the pattern sensors always seem to have their own issues, at least the sensor that came off looked like the original part so had been there 15 years.
tfp
Joined: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 20:17
Posts: 78

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by tfp »

Julie Z3 wrote:Seems to be a common problem when purchasing a secondhand 3.0! Ours was not what we expected on the drive home , same symptoms as yours and always wanted to play silly buggers when pulling onto a busy roundabout. Just my opinion but spend the £100 and get a genuine part the pattern sensors always seem to have their own issues, at least the sensor that came off looked like the original part so had been there 15 years.
My local garage said the same thing to me, get the original part.
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

Post by mrscalex »

Buy a genuine part and and get it fixed asap. Don't risk stalling somewhere dangerous.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
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