mobile mechanic coming out to z4,any thoughts on problems???

[california123]

Guys i have booked a mobile mechanic to fix the z.You may remember it had its traction lights on,and the engine light on ,although driving perfectly.This 2003 car has only 63,000 miles on it .While looking for a mechanic i have been using it sparingly,and very short journies!i never go over 50 mph by the way.I was doing 40, and the car stumbled, and started limping at about 2 mph.Turned engine off, and started it, and the engine was strong ,and was able to get home.The traction lights im thinking it needs a new sensor?,the problem with the engine not sure,any suggestions on the problems guys to give me a head up on knowing what might be wrong before the mechanic comes.Hes booked for this saturday.Its a firm called click mechanic, and apparently all the mechanics are vetted?I would appreciate any thoughts you guys might have?

 

[colb]

Codes need reading before making any wild guess, codes will be a good guide for what to check out.

 

[california123]

Thankyou for reply,it will be interesting to see what the codes say!

 

[t-tony]

Shame there was no one near enough to read them for you.

Tony.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Maybe its time to set yourself up with a good scanner with BMW software so you can scan all modules in your car. It will make it really hard for a mechanic to pull the wool over your eyes and request unneeded repairs.

The Foxwell NT530 scanner with BMW software is a good option.

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Foxwell NT530 BMW works with latest 1996-2020 vehicles firmware updated compared to NT520. NT530 is a bidirectional diagnostic scan tool with SRS EPB SAS TPS Active Test Oil Reset Battery Registration

www.foxwelltool.com

 

[california123]

Thankyou for replies guys.I used to have a great mechanic who fixed cars for me ,but he has dropped off the radar, i think like every car owner who isnt mechanically minded ,we are at the mercy of mechanics.Click mechanic say they take that worry away with vetting all their mechanics, ect .We will have to see the outcome?I will keep you informed of outcome!!!

 

[california123]

Mechanic came out, and diagnosed the car needs osf abs sensor ,and 02 sensor bank 1 and 2.Maybe you guys are familiar with these items/not sure how much each will cost,and should be fitted by this Wednesday.Interested in your thoughts?

 

[colb]

If he read the codes it had set then probably doing the right things, abs sensor is not that expensive to replace but the O2 sensors will put a hole in your wallet, if they set codes then they may be duff but strange if both gone together, in live data diagnostics you can monitor what they are performing like with the engine running. Bear in mind air leaks in the vaccum hoses will have an effect on what the O2 sensors will be seeing. Viewing fuel trims in live data would show up as being lean if there was an air leak in the system by them being high and adding more fuel at the injectors to richen the mixture. Once they reach the max they can add it will give up and set the EML on the dash. I would hope that the mechanic made sure there are no splits or holes in the rubber intake and vaccum hoses across the engine before condemming the O2 sensors unless they have indeed gone bad.

 

[t-tony]

I would also hope that he cleared all codes to see if they were "historic" and ran the car to see which if not all, came back again. Strange that both O2 sensors are have failed together.

Tony.

 

[mwpe]

I would also hope that he cleared all codes to see if they were "historic" and ran the car to see which if not all, came back again. Strange that both O2 sensors are have failed together.

Tony.

This is a good point, I occasionaly get an engine light. The code reader says catalytic converter bank 1, I immdiately clear it and it stays out for at least 1,000 miles. The car behaves perfectly and the emmisions on the MOT are fine. These codes can be set by a momentary blip.

 

[california123]

Thanks for your replies,you obviously know your stuff,im as i said at the mercy of the mechanic.I can only hope long term he has got the diagnosis right.Of all the two seaters iv bought since 2011 this one has given me the most trouble.The radio has also packed in recently!,but its a 17 year old car,i have to accept things going wrong at times.

 

[colb]

Would be a good idea to put your location in your Accont details so it appears on the left of your posts also add what model you have engine wise. It helps us to answer questions you may have and to see if any members are near you to assist.

 

[california123]

Mechanic came out, and diagnosed the car needs osf abs sensor ,and 02 sensor bank 1 and 2.Maybe you guys are familiar with these items/not sure how much each will cost,and should be fitted by this Wednesday.Interested in your thoughts?

Guys my car is due back tonight after getting the above parts replaced.The bill is 420 £s.

 

[t-tony]

Ouch!! Well so long as it is fully cured and useable, it is what it is.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Wow, the wallet took a hit as I expected, I know the O2 sensors are a tad expensive and the camshaft sensor not far behind them, wonder if he used oem parts and what he charged for labour for unscrewing them and refitting the new bits then clearing the codes and checking they didn't come back?