A little engine troubles. Felix and I need your help! :)

Little Lady Katie

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British Zeds
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hey all!

Well you know what they say - get one problem fixed and another one appears!


Id successfully changed over my faulty speed sensor with a huge thanks again to @Brian H and my new Respray courtesy of graham at the touchless car wash!

But now I fear I may have a little engine trouble!

Just driven felix over to my friends and noticed that something didn't feel right when I was sat with my engine idling at the traffic lights. I turned the music off and sure enough, my car is revving by itself. Ive got the hand brake on and gear into neutral. The engine sounds gritty and like it's not running quite right.

I did have an incidence of cylinder misfire about a year ago in autumn time, but the car was really noisy when it started up when that happened (which it didn't do this time) and that never happened again after that incident, which I put down to the damp autumnal weather and wet on one of the ignition coils.

I restarted the car and at the next set of lights put the handbrake On and gear into neutral and it kept doing it. Parked up at my friends and sat in it idling and it just doesn't sound or feel right. Something is up!

Rather worried with it being something engine related - it's ok when it's a sensor or a light because you think hey I can fix that just by replacing that part, or I can put up with it like that for a while.

Just recently had a full system flush and oil change and a new sump gasket and coolant tank. All seemed to be fine and dandy.

Any help greatly appreciated!! :)
 

Brian H

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Chuffed to bits the acceration sensor worked out for you, a hunting engine could be a few things, is there someone local that could try and read your codes? I'm also thinking it could be a split in a air intake boot. Hope you get it sorted soon.
 

Little Lady Katie

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Yes @Brian H theres bmw Autohaus diagnostics near me (but thats the garage I took felix to before where the miserable guy is who has zero people skills and I feel looks down his nose at me a bit for having my beloved old baby and not a 13 plate bmw!) but I'll try take it in tomorrow morning to get it looked it. I am panicking a bit I have to say. Do you think a fault code will have registered?

Yes the sensor has worked an absolute treat, thank you so much! Traction control light isn't cominf on permanently, only flickering on briefly if I go round a very sharp corner rather fast, so it's doing its job now ;)
 

Brian H

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Check to see if a kind member has one close to you @Little Lady Katie, they would be able to read the codes if any have been recorded.
 

t-tony

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I think @Aceman is in W.Yorks Katie, he may be able to help. Sorry I can't be more use than that.

Tony.
 

t-tony

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Another option is to buy a spray can of carburettor cleaner and with the engine idling spray around the rubber air intake hoses and listen for any alterations in engine speed which would indicate a split hose.

Tony.
 

Aceman

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That I am, if you need assistance Katie.
 

Little Lady Katie

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York
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Z3 3.0i
@Aceman , that would be brilliant and I would be very grateful of some assistance :) Where about are you and when are you available?

Sorry Currently using the forum on my phone and I can't seem to access the map to see who is nearby
 

Aceman

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Wakefield, possibly this weekend either tomorrow or Sunday afternoon.
 

Little Lady Katie

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@Aceman I could potentially do either. Do you have a code reader and/or would you potentially be able to help me have a look and a tinker and see what's what? I'm teaching maths 10-12 but free after :)
 

Aceman

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Afternoons are better for me as my little one is playing football tomorrow morning and rugby on Sunday morning. Where are you, seem to remember York ?

Oh yes I have a code reader by the way.
 

Little Lady Katie

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York
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Yes I'm in york! I'll give you a text/ring tomorrow after my lesson to see what's what and what we can arrange. I may pop my head in the garage that's next door to the boy I teach - his dad is a sparky and put me in touch with them to get my cameras wired into my car last year, and they're a good bunch, so I might be able to get them to have a peek just while I'm there anyway. I'll let you know if I do and what they say and guess we can go from
There :)

The dreaded engine light has now come on - the first time I've ever seen it! :( and he's making quite a racket. Something feels not right under the pedals, almost a vibration of sorts (just when idling and resting my feet lightly on the pedals when out of gear and brake on) so something isnt right.

He's always been such a fabulous little car, ive never had any engine issues whatsoever before! I guess its just the usual signs of ageing for felix, he is getting on in years now ;) :)
 

Little Lady Katie

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British Zeds
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York
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Z3 3.0i
Thank you so much guys. @David Cullen haha yes I suppose that must be a good thing really - because a fault code must be registering at least if the light is coming on!

Ive just had a read up on cam position sensor failure signs, and im certainly ticking quite a few of those boxes!
No stalling, but definitely unhappy on idling, increased engine vibrations and definitely something amiss!

I'll keep you updated, and hopefully be meeting up with Aceman tomorrow and aside from everything else itl be great to meet another member :)
 

Lexybhoy

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Afternoons are better for me as my little one is playing football tomorrow morning and rugby on Sunday morning. Where are you, seem to remember York ?

Oh yes I have a code reader by the way.
Just great reading about this. Those less experienced of us will know how Katie is feeling and to have people like Aceman willing to give up their free time to help someone out is just great.

Well done guys, this just doesn't happen enough these days. Great to see.
 
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