First Post

[XLR8KWK]

Just a "Hello" first, before I start asking questions. I've Had our '97 4 cyl Z3 for about 18 years. It has been sitting for a while and I'm trying to get her going again.Technical questions next!

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi welcome to the forum

 

[hard top]

Welcome on the forum @XLR8KWK
Ask as many questions as you like, members on here can help with most things.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[Shelly]

 

[ktnez99]

Hello and welcome @XLR8KWK

 

[Nodzed]

 

[XLR8KWK]

I'm not sure exactly where to post this!
I've owned my Z3 4 Cyl for about 18 years but it has been sitting for a while. It was last driven about Christmas time. Now it only cranks over but will not start. This is what I have found so far:
1) Pulled Schrader valve cap at the fuel rail and there seems to be no fuel there when pushing down the Schrader valve.
2) All fuses are OK
3) First time I primed with a little fuel it caught but backfired and has not fired off again
4) Obd error P0100 Mass or Volume Air Flow A Circuit is the only error code displayed
5) Removed and cleaned throttle body, reinstalled with no change
6) When it backfired there is a round black plastic piece that appears to have popped off (in front of the dipstick) I put it back on but still did not start.
It seems like this happened many years ago and was a simple fuse problem that has never happened until now.
What do you guys suggest next?
Thanks!!

 

[t-tony]

If you only turn on the ignition, can you hear the fuel pump run momentarily to charge the fuel rail pressure? If you have someone to assist, get a can of carburettor cleaner (brake cleaner will do) and open the air filter housing. Get someone to spray the product into the air box while you crank the motor. If it tries to start you have fuel (pump) issues. Is there much fuel in the tank and how old is the fuel?

Tony.

ps. Welcome from me near Lincoln,UK. Fort Myers is a part of Florida we have not got round to visiting even after 26 years of coming over.

 

[Oddly Godly]

Welcome from Dunstable

 

[mwpe]

Hi and from Surrey, good luck with getting her going again.

 

[Sean d]

Hi and welcome,

 

[XLR8KWK]

Tony, I took your advice and squirted a little in the intake and it did fire off a little. So it looks like a definite fuel issue. Is the fuel pump relay under the dash or by the fuses? I thought I would follow the procedure to by pass that to see if it is the relay or the pump.
By the way, for you UK guys: I have in my garage with the Z3, a 1952 MGTD (my first car-of 50 years), a 1969 MGC GT, and a 1970 Mini Van.

 

[t-tony]

Looks as though you've progressed things a bit now we've isolated fuel supply as the main problem.
I'm not too sure which relay and fuse feeds the pump but someone will.
@Mazza @Stevo7682

Tony.

 

[hard top]

1952 MGTD (my first car-of 50 years), a 1969 MGC GT, and a 1970 Mini Van.

That reads like a great little collection

 

[mwpe]

According to the Bently manual, the fuel pump relay is in the electrical box at the right rear engine compartment for the 96 model and under the left dash board for later cars.
Welceom to the forum. (again)

 

[XLR8KWK]

Thanks again! I will tear into it again tomorrow.

 

[Grenville]

Welcome from down under. Clogged fuel filter?

 

[Mint]

Hi @XLR8KWK, to the forum from me too, across the pond in Staffordshire, UK. Hope you can get her going again soon, ready for Springtime

 

[Mazza]

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bognor Regis