Hard to start, overheating

[Zmirzephyr]

This Monday, when I was going to start the car after a short trip (meaning the engine was still slightly hot) it took 2-3 seconds on the starter. After that every startup was quick as usual until today. It has happened a few times and I have also discovered that it ran hotter and hotter. The temp gauge first showed slight tilt to the hot side, then I stopped and let her idle and she continued pushing for the red mark. Shut her off before anything happened. I looked in the reservoir and it was as full of clean fresh coolant as always.

I then removed the spark plugs and saw that they were very oily. It was full of oil in every hole. What could cause all this? A bad valve cover gasket and a bad thermostat?

Car always runs great when started.

1997 1.9

 

[Sean d]

This Monday, when I was going to start the car after a short trip (meaning the engine was still slightly hot) it took 2-3 seconds on the starter. After that every startup was quick as usual until today. It has happened a few times and I have also discovered that it ran hotter and hotter. The temp gauge first showed slight tilt to the hot side, then I stopped and let her idle and she continued pushing for the red mark. Shut her off before anything happened. I looked in the reservoir and it was as full of clean fresh coolant as always.

I then removed the spark plugs and saw that they were very oily. It was full of oil in every hole. What could cause all this? A bad valve cover gasket and a bad thermostat?

Car always runs great when started.

1997 1.9

Sounds like you have 2 problems, overheating and the starting issues, overheating could be stuck thermostat, not sure about the oil on the plugs, what colour is diode on the plugs

 

[Mazza]

If you have an M44 engine (twin cam 1.9) it sounds like the inner rocker seals are leaking. There is a main gasket round the outside and 4 round gaskets that fit each plug aperture (no 2 cylinder has the odd shaped one as there is a hold down bolt as well. If these leak then oil will leak into the plug location.

Overheating could be a number of things. Thermostat, water pump, air in the system, can you see any leaks?

 

[Zmirzephyr]

Thanks guys! I can't see any leaks. Took her for a spin now and the temp needle is right in the middle and not moving. She does run slightly rough on idle though when I think about it. What should I do?

 

[Sean d]

Thanks guys! I can't see any leaks. Took her for a spin now and the temp needle is right in the middle and not moving. She does run slightly rough on idle though when I think about it. What should I do?

With the temperature fluctuating and intermitentI would suggest changing the stat, as for the other issue you could do with a code reader on it

 

[Zmirzephyr]

Could it be the valve cover gasket? That wouldn't explain how the oil gets down to the combustion area right?

 

[handsomejackuk]

the oil going down on the plug could be causing a misfire on the electrical side not the cylinder side if that makes sense ?

most m44 engines have a bit of a rough idle too.. there was a dealer fix for this too but yours may have not been done.. i dont know how you would go about even checking it,. but there should be somewhere a software verion number when you plug it not inpa.. i have seen this but not really investigated it i just got used to the rough idle

 

[t-tony]

The spark plug holes shouldn't have oil in them. This can cause shorting and make misfire. Reason will the seals where the rocker cover fits on the cylinder head have gone hard and lost the sealing. I suspect the inlet cam position sensor could also be playing up so have the codes read/checked.

Tony.

 

[IainP]

I've just done the rocker seals on mine, I can confirm what Tony said, the center seals were rock hard. Two were just starting to leak.

 

[Zmirzephyr]

Rocker cover and valve cover are the same thing right? If so could anyone link me a good replacement?

Best regards (z3 1997 1.9 138 ps)

 

[Jack Ratt]

Rocker cover and valve cover are the same thing right? If so could anyone link me a good replacement?

Best regards (z3 1997 1.9 138 ps)

Yes Jesper they're the same thing

 

[IainP]

Mine came as part of the head set when I was doing the head gasket. This, or similar, is what you need:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/392128532745

Best to do the seals on the bolts as well, looks daunting, but the bolts are actually easy.
Remove old seal ( I just cut them off with end cutters)
Put new seal over threaded end
Put a nut on and tighten down
Pop seal over the bolt flange rim with you fingers

 

[Mazza]

I bought the gasket set which had the
Main valve cover gasket
The 4 spark plug aperture gaskets
And the 15 (or 16 ?) that go on the hold down bolts as Iain described above.

Got mine online from Motormec for 18.99 about a year or so ago, had no problems since, but I did use a gasket sealer as well

While it was off I did clean the cover and mine was covered in crap !!!
Also its a good idea to replace the rubber seal where the cover oil pipe connects. You can see it just next to the oil filler cap opening.

When you pull the seal off the head put some rag or something to stop it dropping down inside the timing case and spark plug holes
I ended up using a craft knife to cut it off.

 

[Zmirzephyr]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.de/ulk/itm/264266366721

Will this fit my 1997 1.9 140 hp Z3?

 

[Mario]

Should do - looks like the right one