Grinding noise issue on '99 Z3 2.0l

NickDawson

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Points
3
Location
London
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Hi All,


Happy new year.

Just looking or a bit of advice please.
We bought a 1999 2.0l Z3 last September for a knock down price from a private dealer who had taken it in on a part exchange. The car is cosmetically sound, however with little mechanical knowledge or experience we were taking a bit of a punt on that side of things.

We have only used the car sparingly for relatively short trips between getting it and Christmas, and overall (apart from a problem with the battery running flat which is now sorted thanks to advice from here) we have only experienced small/manageable “quirks”, such as the electric windows & central locking not working. Our aim is to gradually fix these, and a few cosmetic issues such as a cloudy headlight and a couple of interior bits over the next few months and get it ready for Sunny drives out of London in the summer.

We did however take it back to visit family in Sheffield for Christmas and drove it around most days including a couple of 100 mile+ days to visit friends. All in all, we did about 800 miles over the 2 weeks.
The main issue we have is that the engine very rarely seems to get up to temperature, often hovering in or just above the blue section on the gauge and never going past 1/3. This is something that I have noticed before but I guess the winter temperatures exacerbate this at the moment. Then about halfway into the trip we noticed that the engine/gearbox/clutch (no idea really but seemed to be coming from the front drivers side near the wheel arch) started making a slight grinding with a louder sharper grinding crescendo when accelerating through the gears between about 1500 and 2000 revs. This seems to be at its worst when the engine is running at its coldest as when the gauge shows 1/3 then the grinding noise is much less noticeable or not even there.

I am hoping that we can fix the temperature problem which in turn will heal the grinding noise and that they are not two separate issues.

Any advice would be appreciated on this, and also any quick fix for the windows and central locking not working?


Cheers, Nick
 

Rudyrov

Zorg Guru (I)
American Zeds
Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Points
95
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Model of Z
2.8 L Roadster
Possibly a wheel bearing, differential bearing or brake issue would be my first guess. I would raise the rear of the car and have a look. As for temperature, my understanding is that the engine temp gauge receives its signal from the sensor on the top (driver in UK) side of the radiator. I am still looking into that myself because I just replaced my radiator and want to do a fan delete with electric fan upgrade.
Anyway, just some things you might look at.
 

NickDawson

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Points
3
Location
London
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Hi, Thanks for your thoughts.
A wheel bearing could be the culprit as I had both front tyres changed, and therefore the wheels off the car on the day before we set off. The wheels took quite a bit of force to remove and this could have rattled around the bearings? Is this possible and what would be the best way of confirming this?
Cheers, Nick
 

Bampz

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 2, 2016
Points
94
Location
Pembrokeshire
Model of Z
2.8
Hi Nick
With regard to the low temperature issues I'd be inclined to suspect faulty thermostat as they tend to fail in the open position causing the engine to run cold temperature gauge should be at 12 o'clock when warm I'd also check the water pump while your there as these can make a grinding noise if they are on there way out , remove fan belt and run engine and see if noise disappears .
If changing thermostat you might as well change the water pump as well
 

andyglym

Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster.
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Points
231
Location
Moresby, West Cumbria, England
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
The temp gauge should be at the 12 O'clock position and stay there. It should also get there quickly. Main culprit is probably the thermostat. Whilst your at it check the history of the water pump as they can and do let go if still the original. Serpentine belt and tensioner whilst you're in there then good for another 20 years.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Agree with the others who point you to a faulty thermostat, sound like its failed in the open position hence the low water temp on your guage. Worth renewing the water pump as well whilst your in there. As to the grinding noise what condition are your front brakes in? Possible sticking caliper or worn out brake pad, visual check required and renew any duff parts you find. Check out for a noisy wheel bearing whilst your in there, any roughness or movement best replace the bearing.
 

mwpe

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Points
178
Location
Camberley
Model of Z
3.0
If it is a wheel bearing you should be able to feel it by jacking up and spinning the wheel but as you say that it is engine speed related, I would look to the fan/ water pump. Worn water pump bearings are not uncommon and the temp problem sounds like the thermostat.
 

the Nefyn cat

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Oct 19, 2014
Points
174
Location
Actually in Nefyn. My, that took a while.
Model of Z
2.2i Sport
Like everyone else says, thermostat first, and water pump while you're in there. Not sure about the 2.0, but on my 2.2 it's only a couple of minutes to get the belt off (make a note/ take a couple of pictures of how the belt fits, these long belts can be confusing) and run it for just long enough to see if that stops the noise. Again, don't know about the 2.0, but my belt-tensioner bearing started making a horrendous noise, easy enough to change.
 
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