How To Guide How to do a Full Service of a 1998 2.8L Z3 Roadster including Fuel Filter Change

[Silver Baz]

Are all the fuel filters the same for each model ?

 

[Olliebeak]

Thanks for the info, yes my plugs are the same as Stevos pc above i.e on the side of the engine not the top. My main concern is how to remove the plug leads, do you just pull or twist and pull. I didnt want to risk damaging something.
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to provide the info.

 

[t-tony]

You pull and twist. Hopefully they will come off without damaging the leads although there is always a slight risk on older cars especially if they haven't been removed for some time.
Take care not to damaged your hands while doing this too, there are many sharp edges around that area.

Tony.

 

[ktnez99]

I’m pleased that this How To Guide is finding itself useful

 

[Mr H]

Unscheduled (supposed to be lifetime) = gearbox oil + diff oil

Any tips on changing the diff and gearbox oils (I don't have the luxury of a lift or pit!)

 

[t-tony]

You will need a decent jack and a pair of axle stands. Also make sure you can remove the filler/level plug on the Diff. and the gearbox BEFORE draining them. Easy to refill using a small funnel and 2mtr of garden hose.

Tony.

 

[Mr H]

You will need a decent jack and a pair of axle stands. Also make sure you can remove the filler/level plug on the Diff. and the gearbox BEFORE draining them. Easy to refill using a small funnel and 2mtr of garden hose.

Tony.

Thank you Tony, one more simple Q: which side of the gearbox are the drain and filler plugs and do these have replaceable washers (OK that's two Qs!)

 

[t-tony]

The gearbox drain and fill/level plugs are tapered and screw into cast steel so don’t have washers. However the drain and fill/level plugs on the Diff. do have soft alloy sealing washers. I would replace these as a matter of course.
The plugs on the gearbox are located on the right side of the gearbox.

Tony.

 

[Pingu]

Any tips on changing the diff and gearbox oils (I don't have the luxury of a lift or pit!)

Warm the oil and remove the filler plug before you remove the drain plug.

I use a large syringe (looks like a grease gun) to fill the gearbox and the diff.

 

[Stevo7682]

Also make sure you use the correct oil on both .
Lsd diffs use different oil to standard diff.
Some gearbox are filled with 75/90 gear oil others use Atf oil.
Stephen.

 

[Mr H]

However the drain and fill/level plugs on the Diff. do have soft alloy sealing washers.

Interesting. The ones I have just bought (based on BMW online parts finder) have what looks like a rubber/plastic o-ring fitted ............

 

[t-tony]

We used to use aftermarket ones for various makes when I was at work so I wouldn't worry how they look. If they're the ones for the job they will be fine. Genuine ones are alloy as far as I recall that's all.

Tony.

 

[colb]

We found the 3 back spark plug holes contained excessive oil. Because of this excess oil, we put 4 new spark plugs in from the front and 2 old spark plugs in the 2 back spark plug holes. Tony then sprayed brake cleaner in the 2 back spark plug holes and blew the brake cleaner out with a compressor.

Oil in those spark plug wells is a sure sign of the central plug well gaskets failing, they go hard and brittle and allow oil to seep into the wells. Probably time to take the cam cover off and put a new gasket set on if there was oil in there it will seep in there again with the old gaskets left in place.

 

[Lee]

Are all the fuel filters the same for each model ?

To answer your question there is two types of fuel fitler for the z3.

 

[Nodzed]

The one on my old M was a snap connector type with O-Rings, on others I have done for members it was a push on pipe connecters with jubilee clips.