Hi guys I'm new new to this fourum just seeing if any one has any idea about my z3 bought her last week sold as seen and at first all seemed well but then started losing water went to my mechanic who poss head gasket as started sending steam out the tailpipe anyway used some steal seal on her and it seems to of cured it but now eml lights on and she's running like a pig my mechanic is comming to my house today to plug his reader in z3 to see what's happening symptoms hard to start then when running on tickover sounds like its running on three pots and when you give it gas it really struggles and try's to die has anybody any ideas really done my nut in especially when I've just bought it have I bought a lemon
Bmw z3 running bad
- Thread starter Jlp
- Start date
Welcome to the forum 
I'm sure your Z will be up and running in no time
Lots of helpfully people on here
From Bradwell ( near Great Yarmouth ) ( opposite The Netherlands )
I'm sure your Z will be up and running in no time
Lots of helpfully people on here
From Bradwell ( near Great Yarmouth ) ( opposite The Netherlands )
Welcome from me too, yes, and some more info on the car would be good.
Welcome Jlp!
Don't think you started with left foot!
Any problem can be fixed if we know the origin. Your mechanic and the bunch of specialists , here on the forum, should find the answer if you give more as possible technical information and malfunction's description.
Due to the fact that a 15-20 year old car can have some times some problems it's not the end of the world.
Once you will have fitted , it will be a long term commitment!
And the lemon will become a lemonade!
Don't think you started with left foot!
Any problem can be fixed if we know the origin. Your mechanic and the bunch of specialists , here on the forum, should find the answer if you give more as possible technical information and malfunction's description.
Due to the fact that a 15-20 year old car can have some times some problems it's not the end of the world.
Once you will have fitted , it will be a long term commitment!
And the lemon will become a lemonade!
Yes sorry it's a 1.9 i 4cyilinder 2000 x reg alanta blue really nice car just not running right hopefully will get it sorted got all extras apart from air con. Like I said just waiting for mechanic to plug in his box of tricks to see what's happening was running fine now it's not it will run but only on tickover struggles to move under it's own steam trader I bought it from has changed all water system inc rad but not water pump but I think I've sorted that problem also trader changed plugs and leads I've took plugs out and cleaned them my mechanic said he doesn't think the ignition system is problem will have to see what his box of tricks say it's a snap on obd readerso will see will let u all know what's what soon any advice would be greatful I'm a joiner by trade but can change oil plugs air filter on z3 but that's as far as it goes for me don't want to get out of my depth thanks JasonJason
Z
zedonist
Guest
Lemon! If you don't repair it correctly, why do people put these gimmicky chemicals into their cars, "it's a thermo chemical reaction that repairs anything" as much bool locks as nano technology fills the wear in your bores.
Hopefully it's a cam sensor, but my bet is the water was what was making it run ok, and now it's blocked up you still have a blown head gasket, praying for the best for you mate.
Hopefully it's a cam sensor, but my bet is the water was what was making it run ok, and now it's blocked up you still have a blown head gasket, praying for the best for you mate.
Cheers I am a little worried but just put that stuff in as a last resort my mechanic owns his own workshop and is doing car in his own time as to give me mates rates or he said put it in workshop and it's full price plus vat will let him do it in his own time figures mentioned by my mechanic if head gasket £500 that's if head pressure test ok if not I'm in trouble the thing is it lost power before I put steel seal in so I don't know I'm at the mercy of my mechanic
Hello and welcome from Cornwall. Three common clues / symptoms of blown head gasket:
Check your oil and look for signs of water in it, ie white creamy scum type stuff. Sometimes can be seen inside the oil filler cap. Check your radiator expansion tank to see if there is any sign of oil contamination in the water. Sometimes if the head gasket has blown, the engine exhaust gasses are forced into the water jacket around the engine which in turn will force the water out of the expansion tank. Are you losing any water this way?
There are plenty of causes for the engine to run rough. The most common will be, faulty sensors, split breather hoses, incorrect spark plugs, damaged spark plug leads, bad fuel.
A proper car mechanic will find these very easily.
£500 for a replacement head gasket at mates rates?
Check your oil and look for signs of water in it, ie white creamy scum type stuff. Sometimes can be seen inside the oil filler cap. Check your radiator expansion tank to see if there is any sign of oil contamination in the water. Sometimes if the head gasket has blown, the engine exhaust gasses are forced into the water jacket around the engine which in turn will force the water out of the expansion tank. Are you losing any water this way?
There are plenty of causes for the engine to run rough. The most common will be, faulty sensors, split breather hoses, incorrect spark plugs, damaged spark plug leads, bad fuel.
A proper car mechanic will find these very easily.
£500 for a replacement head gasket at mates rates?
Yes checked all possible issues was putting steam out of exhaust and losing water but was running ok then started misfiring and running rough used that steal seal I know I shouldn't but last ditched attempt but seems to have worked not putting steam out or losing water by the way oil is ok no gunk in it but still running rough and eml light on mechanic rang tonight couldn't make it said he will come tommorow .
The £500 includes strip down head off head sent to engineers skim and clean up full head gasket replacement and rebuild I thought this was quite cheap as I've heard some people getting charged over a £1000 on most vehicles so I will have to pay £500 if gasket has gone just want it back on road I'm gutted only had it 2weeks and can't use it.
Z
zedonist
Guest
I would factor in a new water pump, and check out your cooling pipes and rad, head gaskets don't just go, it's normally a result of a cooling issue, although they can blow between combustion chambers, not heard of it on an M43, but the fact it was steaming, suggests cooling problem, look on the bright side once fixed it will run great and give you loads of enjoyment.
Welcome from Canada! No sense fretting over things until the mechanic gets some codes out for you. Obviously this problem has been around before you bought the car with the list of parts you quoted. Good luck! JIM
Well.....................hate to say it but the only thing that separates the combustion compartment from the cooling is the head gasket. No way around it. Not the end of the world. It could have been the result of an engine overheating but not necessarily. Over years of the engine expanding and contracting from warming and cooling, it is not uncommon for a head gasket to finally weaken and fail. If is bad, it is better to have failed for this reason than from overheating which could really warp the head. Don't get upset!!!!!!!!!!!! Not the end of the world. If you can swing the bucks to repair it now, you'll be driving it soon and for many years to come. They're great cars.
I apologize for not saying welcome first off. We're happy you are here with us. Perhaps some of the other members can give you good advise on what else to do in addition to getting it repaired at the same time, as Jack Ratt and Zedonist just did. I have a 1.9 l '96 myself and so far its holding good with no problems. Soon there will be other members online to give you the advise you are seeking and will help you get through this with the lease expense. Good luck with it. Frankie