Fuel Pump Problems...........?

[mktommo]

Despite treating my Zed to a decent clean and polish this morning it clearly doesn't appreciate my efforts and I had my first ever (near) breakdown today. I managed to limp it home and its now safe and secure back in my garage.

The symptoms are a sudden loss of power that lasts somewhere between a second and 5 seconds - normally under acceleration (but then again I don't suppose I'd notice if I wasn't accelerating). It idles fine, revs as normal most of the time and isn't misfiring at all - just the sudden loss of any power that self clears.

A couple of questions - any other thoughts ion what it could be and how do I check if its the fuel pump that is faulty?

Thanks Paul

 

[jonco]

Really need to get codes read to give you a lead. If I were having a stab in the dark however- has the fuel filter ever been changed? Easy and relatively cheap job to do.

 

[oldcarman]

I agree with @jonco about the fuel filter! If it hasn't been changed I'd change it before delving into the fuel pump and get the codes read ASAP to find out if there's anything registering. Good luck, JIM

 

[mktommo]

Thanks for the advice - I'll check and change the fuel filter today or as soon as I can get the part - seems to be a sensible bit of preventative maintenance regardless and then carefully get a run up too somewhere with a code reader. Its the first potential breakdown issue I've had in over a year of ownership and just a reminder that I'm driving a 19 year old car....

 

[oldcarman]

If you keep having to go to someone for a read I'd be looking at buying a code reader. It will pay for itself in no time dependant upon how much they charge to do a read. Excellent units run about £70 or less. If you're in a z3 be sure to get the round plug adapter as the under dash connect doesn't read everything you need to know!! Also, give all your hoses running to your throttle body. They're notorious for splits so check underneath as well not just what you can see. Even the tin test crack opens occasionally and could be causing your problem! Good luck!! JIM

 

[mktommo]

Thanks @oldcarman that's a good call. I've learned a lot about what I need to look after an old car over the last year and I think you're right about the code reader. I've still got lots to learn and tools / equipment to buy but as well as saving money in the long term (I'm always a fan of that!) I really enjoy the satisfaction of having worked things out and fixed it myself.

 

[Redline]

Lots of code readers on Amazon. I bought a C110 yesterday £34. As Jim said you need the round plug too though.
Split hose I'd guess. MAF reading less air so it reduces the fueling so loss of power. Soon as you back off the deformation in the hose goes away, closes the hole and away you go again. Probably a small tear so you might need to look carefully.

 

[jonco]

Agree with the others on code readers. There are a few other alternatives i) buy a diagnostics packages for use on a laptop ii) if you are into mobile phones (iPhone etc) you can download apps and use Wifi connectors. There was a rather long thread on Wifi diagnostics started by @Zedonist 2 years ago which may be of interest to you https://zroadster.org/threads/wifi-diagnostics.4619/
HTH

 

[Tracy Dee]

Sorry to hear I personally know how a breakdown or barely being able to limp along feels like mine did it Friday morning.
Good luck.
Tracy

 

[mktommo]

So my early self-diagnosis was miles off and what I actually had was a camshaft sensor problem, which was swapped over for an OEM part. It cleared the faults and drove a mile and then the bl**dy thing went again. So it might be something more serious and beyond me so has gone off to my reliable (but increasingly familiar and quickly becoming rich) BMW specialist.

The sliver lining to all of this is that there's a classic car specialist just across from the garage that always has a selection of cars to drool over and I snapped the Z1 that was sitting along side an array of other beautiful metal.

Right in the background for the eagle eyed (and one of my favourite cars) was a lovely 635csi.......

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Ouch that Z1 is worth a few quid - well not that one anymore!