2.2i 2002 Z3 engine Miss-fire

[Foggy]

Hello folks,
Just got my car back from the spray shop and found the battery flat, so charged that, the EMC dash light on and the engine miss firing ? took it to my normal garage who is on holiday then to an MOT station that I use & he said it seems to be a coil, tried new coil on all 6 cylinders and no change still misfire's. his computer is apparently too young to read my old system properly so now he is at a loss and so am I, Anyone got an idea of where to go next. I need this up and running.
Regards Foggy

 

[mrscalex]

A coil was a possibility but going in blind like that was just a pot shot.

You need to get the error codes read off. Otherwise it's more pot shots.

The only sensible thing I can think of in the meantime is to check the MAF/throttle hoses aren't perished. You wouldn't get an implicit code directing you towards these anyway. EMLs are frequently thrown by this or camshaft sensors. If camshaft sensors you will get an implicit code.

Worth looking at getting one of these. Ideally with 20 pin adaptor and plugged in under the bonnet. Not strictly necessary for an EML code. It can plug in under dash. But one day you'll get an ABS error and then wished you'd bought the adaptor.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAOZUA-Latest-Creator-Reader-Diagnostic/dp/B011KMS2VA

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LoongGate-Adapter-Connector-Through-1982-2001/dp/B074Z66Z42

 

[Foggy]

A coil was a possibility but going in blind like that was just a pot shot.

You need to get the error codes read off. Otherwise it's more pot shots.

The only sensible thing I can think of in the meantime is to check the MAF/throttle hoses aren't perished. You wouldn't get an implicit code directing you towards these anyway. EMLs are frequently thrown by this or camshaft sensors. If camshaft sensors you will get an implicit code.

Worth looking at getting one of these. Ideally with 20 pin adaptor and plugged in under the bonnet. Not strictly necessary for an EML code. It can plug in under dash. But one day you'll get an ABS error and then wished you'd bought the adaptor.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAOZUA-Latest-Creator-Reader-Diagnostic/dp/B011KMS2VA

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LoongGate-Adapter-Connector-Through-1982-2001/dp/B074Z66Z42

Hello mrscalex, and thank you for your reply and assistance, I will be checking the hoses, let's hope the culprit is so easily found.
I am not very good with all the modern technical stuff, in my era cars were modern if they had a cigarette lighter and radio.
All I can do is keep on trying. Best regards Foggy

 

[mrscalex]

Hello mrscalex, and thank you for your reply and assistance, I will be checking the hoses, let's hope the culprit is so easily found.
I am not very good with all the modern technical stuff, in my era cars were modern if they had a cigarette lighter and radio.
All I can do is keep on trying. Best regards Foggy

There's nothing too complicated really. The error codes are just there to help direct you to the fault. Better with them than without.

The Z3 is generally a very simple car compared with most and is regarded as the last generation of electro-mechanical controlled cars before things became all computer controlled. Some modern cars even need new batteries 'coding' on the car's computer before they work.

 

[Sean d]

Seems a bit odd that a code reader acn be "too young", I use a brand new "Snap on" reader on mine it reads as it should, as Robert says, don't waste any money on a shot in the dark, get someone that can read the codes before spending any money, where are you based as we have lots of members with code readers

 

[Foggy]

Seems a bit odd that a code reader acn be "too young", I use a brand new "Snap on" reader on mine it reads as it should, as Robert says, don't waste any money on a shot in the dark, get someone that can read the codes before spending any money, where are you based as we have lots of members with code readers

Hi Sean d, Strange but I thought it weird also though with my limited technical know how I was not prepared to argue the point.
I am based in Salford, Manchester for my sin's !!
I am so glad to have joined this forum, so many kind and informative people and resources available appreciate the help
Best regards Foggy

 

[Foggy]

There's nothing too complicated really. The error codes are just there to help direct you to the fault. Better with them than without.

The Z3 is generally a very simple car compared with most and is regarded as the last generation of electro-mechanical controlled cars before things became all computer controlled. Some modern cars even need new batteries 'coding' on the car's computer before they work.

Thanks for the help, In a similar vein because my battery was allowed to go flat I have lost the radio also, searching through all the documents that came with the car in 2002 I can not find the code Required to reset it, do these online code suppliers work ? or any comment ? I gave the hoses a good looking at and did not see any problems sadly
Regards Foggy

 

[mrscalex]

Send me a PM and I will try and assist you with recovering your code.

Make sure you inspect the hoses very closely, between the folds by spreading apart as that's where the splits usually are. Also on the small 'thumb' connector that goes to the resonator box connected to the air filter housing.

 

[t-tony]

I would remove the spark plugs to find which one is not firing for a start. Costs nothing and gives a true indication of where to look.

Tony.

 

[Foggy]

I would remove the spark plugs to find which one is not firing for a start. Costs nothing and gives a true indication of where to look.

Tony.

That was the first thing I suggested at the garage, I should have done that already ! will do soon - and thanks for your help
What stopped me was that the rev's dropped on each cylinder when the mechanic swapped the coils over from one to the next ?
Regards Foggy

 

[t-tony]

Is it a definite miss fire or just lack of power?

Tony.

 

[Foggy]

Hello Tony,
I think It is a miss fire with the associated power loss and lumpy running having said that, It now seems to have a flat spot and does not want to rev higher, I failed to check what rpm that occurs at ?
Foggy

 

[t-tony]

It's beginning to sound more and more like the inlet camshaft position sensor has failed. Best to get its codes read and go from there. If you have a look st plugs and they all look alike that would probably back this up.

Tony.

 

[Foggy]

Hello Tony,
I decided to buy a code reader of my own and after checking that I found it gave the coil on no 6 listed as the fault.
As before I replaced the coil but this time took the added step of checking the plugs also and found the plug on number 6 cylinder very fouled up and I suspect that this was what defeated the Mot man ?
As soon as I ran the car all her power was back and she ran sweetly, So thanks for all the help job now complete.
Regards Foggy

 

[t-tony]

Good news mate. I don't understand why someone would remove the coils and not the plugs.

Tony.