#ZedShed Millers Z3M overhaul (Gearbox & Subframe)

[g8jka]

Those temp senders really take a hit to corrosion. Bloody hard to get hold of as well. Searching for one shows up NLA, but found one site with 12 in stock for about £130. I’ve been looking on the VDO site for a replacement, it might be worth a look https://vdo-webshop.nl/en/temperatu...emperature-sender-140c-m14-4103590690159.html at a more reasonable price.

I’ve just done some more trawling as I vaguely recall a thread on an alternative VDO sensor that’s close to matching the original one https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/foru...al-discussion/17377-outdoor-temp-sensor-mount

Same as the one I found but will take a while to get here but at £24.99 delivered

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When I retro fitted the ///M gauges to my 2.0 I used a VDO sensor from what I remember and had it located in a panel just behind the bonnet grill. An ///M one was silly money. Then when I changed it over to the 2.8 I'm pretty sure I used the standard sensor that is fitted to the 6 cylinder models. Infact I replaced it for a cheap E46 one as I couldn't get a standard zed one. They worked but always read around 2 degrees lower than it should have been but I think I read somewhere this is common. Depending on the wiring it maybe worth picking up a cheap E46 sensor and trying it, then relocating it somewhere. It should only be a signal wire from the sender to a sensor and then an earth.

 

[Lee]

When I retro fitted the ///M gauges to my 2.0 I used a VDO sensor from what I remember and had it located in a panel just behind the bonnet grill. An ///M one was silly money. Then when I changed it over to the 2.8 I'm pretty sure I used the standard sensor that is fitted to the 6 cylinder models. Infact I replaced it for a cheap E46 one as I couldn't get a standard zed one. They worked but always read around 2 degrees lower than it should have been but I think I read somewhere this is common. Depending on the wiring it maybe worth picking up a cheap E46 sensor and trying it, then relocating it somewhere. It should only be a signal wire from the sender to a sensor and then an earth.

This is pretty much the route I went down. I got another sensor which I know does the same job. Unfortunately the loom on Millers Zed was also toast so had to get the sensor, bracket and main loom.

 

[Lee]

Half day in the shed today. I finished the engine bay and gave her a little tidy. She looks 100 times better now.

no peeling paint.

While I was fitting the throttle cable I come across the strange feeling I noticed when I drove her home, it felt very grabby, when installing the new cable I came across why.

the speaker cover is pushing against the peddle linkage. Nice easy fix, it just needed hooking under. You can now see the groove it’s left in the plastic, must of been like it for some time. I swear I’m becoming over sensitive with every Zed I drive now.

Second half of the day was a trip to spursfan. He really helped us and found that a part of the 1.9 engine loom shares the same connector as the temp sensor, he also sorted us an ABS loom for the front. When travelling and it’s sunny one must travel in style, plus it was an excuse to blow the cobwebs out I really need to drive my own Zed more.

Thanks @spursfaninacoupe

I had a quick tool tidy and realised I have a huge collection of old nuts and bolts. If anyone is missing or needs a bolt I have a ton of them all for the Z3 platform.

Looking forward to tomorrow, the final bits to get a millers Zed back on the ground

 

[Mazza]

Mmm. Basingstoke to Woking......
M3 - M25 - A3.......hope you kept to the speed limits........

 

[miller1098]

I’ve said it before and I don’t mind repeating myself it’s is the best forum with the most helpful bunch of people on any platform. It’s changed from when I first started but fundamentally it still has the same values. I love my cars and would whatever but just a little effort the forum can add a whole new dimension to the experience and it’s a credit to many of the contributors,not least to the original Zed shed and all who sail in her. thanks lee and co .im feeling humble

 

[DamZ_3]

Really, really excellent work there... Very inspirational !
Sadly, the Bongo is competing for attention at the moment (and winning!) So the poor Zed will have to wait a little longer for the fancy stuff...
Dxx

 

[Lee]

Been a busy couple of days but we’ve finally made it. I started off yesterday sorting the wiring and setting the brakes up.

Front brakes

Rear

I then tried the temp sensor but still no joy. The gauge must be playing up. The gauge in the car is loose so I’m guessing it’s been out before.

That was the final snags dealt with. I grabbed the wheels out my car.

Once on the ground I could see the ride height. She was way to low at the front. As a rule of thumb I tend to set the rear 25mm higher than the front, once you’ve got two people in the Zed it’s nearly level. Ideally the Zed will need putting on the scales and corner weighting to get the perfect setup.

Now she’s down it was over to get the tracking done. Nice angle from above.

This also was a good opportunity to check everything underneath. Up front looking lovely

Then the rear.

I then took her for a good run. Got everything nice and warm. Only issues I came across were the battery and the oil pressure light. I tested the battery and it failed so out she came.

The oil pressure light is flickering like a Christmas tree so I’m guessing a dodgy switch. She’s being checked over by my local BMW specialist who knows these engines inside and out tomorrow. These engines make a right racket with low pressure and she sounds fine.

It wouldn’t be a test drive without passing the hunter jet.

 

[t-tony]

Top job again mate. What’s next?

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Top job again mate. What’s next?

Tony.

Thanks Tony.

I have a Z3M coupe in the same colour to collect Friday. I like to get them here a few days early. Gives me a chance to start ordering parts. Millers has a few little bits to keep me busy over the next couple of days anyway.

 

[Scooblitz]

Half day in the shed today. I finished the engine bay and gave her a little tidy. She looks 100 times better now.
View attachment 175991
no peeling paint.
View attachment 175993While I was fitting the throttle cable I come across the strange feeling I noticed when I drove her home, it felt very grabby, when installing the new cable I came across why.
View attachment 175995
the speaker cover is pushing against the peddle linkage. Nice easy fix, it just needed hooking under. You can now see the groove it’s left in the plastic, must of been like it for some time. I swear I’m becoming over sensitive with every Zed I drive now.
View attachment 175997
Second half of the day was a trip to spursfan. He really helped us and found that a part of the 1.9 engine loom shares the same connector as the temp sensor, he also sorted us an ABS loom for the front. When travelling and it’s sunny one must travel in style, plus it was an excuse to blow the cobwebs out I really need to drive my own Zed more.
View attachment 175999
Thanks @spursfaninacoupe
View attachment 176001
I had a quick tool tidy and realised I have a huge collection of old nuts and bolts. If anyone is missing or needs a bolt I have a ton of them all for the Z3 platform.
View attachment 176003
Looking forward to tomorrow, the final bits to get a millers Zed back on the ground

I could have messaged before ordering nuts and bolts from Denmark. Can already see a few items I need.

On its way already.

 

[miller1098]

Temp sensor hasn’t worked since the respray it used to be fine it went up to 40 when we were in silverstone one year . The oil light is a new one on me but as you say the engine sounds ok especially since the vanos rebuild and all the pipe work you’ve done,summer can’t come soon enough

 

[Lee]

Temp sensor hasn’t worked since the respray it used to be fine it went up to 40 when we were in silverstone one year . The oil light is a new one on me but as you say the engine sounds ok especially since the vanos rebuild and all the pipe work you’ve done,summer can’t come soon enough

Yeah I just checked the oil level and it’s quite a way above the max line, these S engines really don’t like being overfilled as they can slosh in the sump. I’ll remove some oil and see if she’s better tomorrow. Wait till you get her out in the lanes!

 

[Lee]

***Engine oil pressure light***

Not much to report. I took Millers Zed to a local BMW specialist called RBM in hook, he ran every test he knew of and couldn’t come to any conclusion other than change the oil pressure switch and go from there. The genuine BMW diagnostic tool showed green across the board

Today I fitted a new oil pressure switch and it made no difference. Once warm the light comes back on at idle, the engine idle has now become a little erratic so think it’s time to admit defeat and hand her over to an expert, these engines are very mechanical so will need an experienced hand. All very strange as we’ve only change some engine covers, we could of very well disturbed something.

Luckily Miller has a trailer so will collect, this is not the best outcome but due to the engine type we should air on the side of caution till it’s been checked over.

 

[MarkPlant]

Ross at rbm is a top guy

 

[Lee]

Ross at rbm is a top guy

Yeah he's sound, we went to school together

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Yeah he's sound, we went to school together

You went to school?

 

[Lee]

Good update today. We think we’ve found the issue, when on the diagnostics at RBM we noticed the idle to be around 725rpm and a little erratic. The idle should be 850 so this is why the oil light triggered, soon as you lifted the revs the light went off and while cold on choke the light was also off.

This left us wondering why, after leaving her idle for 20-30mins the idle got worse and started to shake the car, then we could hear the knock sensors trying to compensate and making a clicking/banging trying to adjust the timing. We thought let’s see if the ECU has now picked up a code and it did!!

Lamda Probe 1 dead!

Think I will sleep easier tonight.

 

[andyglym]

Good update today. We think we’ve found the issue, when on the diagnostics at RBM we noticed the idle to be around 725rpm and a little erratic. The idle should be 850 so this is why the oil light triggered, soon as you lifted the revs the light went off and while cold on choke the light was also off.

This left us wondering why, after leaving her idle for 20-30mins the idle got worse and started to shake the car, then we could hear the knock sensors trying to compensate and making a clicking/banging trying to adjust the timing. We thought let’s see if the ECU has now picked up a code and it did!!

Lamda Probe 1 dead!
View attachment 176487
Think I will sleep easier tonight.

Great spot mate

 

[miller1098]

If @Lee thinks he’s going to sleep easier tonight i certainly will .i had a feeling that it was something like this but finding it was going to be the problem as it could of been so many things.but this is how ”real” mechanics become great by working on cars and not just replacing parts on a hit and miss basis. Nice work