MOT day...

[Zomerset]

Wasn't expecting any real issues. MOT expired a week ago. For two weeks prior to expiry I was running the old girl to work and back, and she was running very nicley- save that she just held back a bit at around 4k revs in second if I was giving it some welly.

Off road for a week waiting for the MOT and service (left it too late to book!).

On the way to the garage this morning, the damned thing starts kangarooing up the hill. Now diagnosed with a misfire on cylinder one Failed on all emmissions and engine codes etc as a result.

Happily, compression tests and coil pack switches confirmed no obvious major engine block issues. Hopefully that means they will track down the fault to a dodgy wire or something tomorrow...

 

[t-tony]

Camshaft position sensor a likely culprit. Let know please.

Tony.

 

[Richardrix]

I understand that those position sensors can be easy to change on a 1.9 but a bit of a pain on the larger engines as it's at the back. Friend of mine had the same issue on his 2.8 with it lurching and it was the camshaft sensor.

 

[Zomerset]

They're still diagnosing...

 

[Zomerset]

It turned out to be the air flow sensor. Fitted and running nicely again which means it then passed.

Some new advisories though. Would be grateful for comments on how worrying / expensive these things might be, and to what extent a clueless amateur such as me should try to work on them!

Central exhaust box slight gas leak (presumably a new one at some time)

Front lower chassis stiffening frame corroded and weakened.

lower fuel tank vent pipes insecure

(and a tyre- but I can deal with that

 

[t-tony]

That front chassis stiffening frame is NOT a testable item. Also it simply bolts to the chassis with 4? bolts so you can buy one from @spurs fan in a coupe , @Synclare or maybe @mrscalex , Clean it up and paint it and fit it yourself. A very simple job.

Tony.

 

[Zomerset]

Marvellous- thank you.

 

[mrscalex]

I haven't got a spare.

Z3s have them to make the chassis stiffer as they are convertibles. There is quite a market for them amongst E36 owners who use them as a performance upgrade. So that affects the availability/price a bit.

Very simple job to drop it and give it a clean up. I doubt it's corroded through, probably just surface rust.

 

[mrscalex]

I should clarify. Easy job as long as you are happy to put the car on axle stands and crawl underneath.

 

[Zomerset]

I should clarify. Easy job as long as you are happy to put the car on axle stands and crawl underneath.

Bit scary. Though I do have axle stands from doing the sills.

 

[t-tony]

You'll be fine, as you only need the front end up in the air.

Tony.