No power, huge back fires, z3 1.9

Biggbn

Dedicated Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2018
Points
44
Hi guys I have a twin Cam z3 1.9. It has sat unused unfreezing weather over last four days and I went to use it today. Symptoms, won't reveal cleanly, power falls away under any load, huge, scary backfires!!

Car recently had new exhaust and had had terrible problems with emissions and poor mpg.

Possible solutions?

Have wondered about 02 sensors, coil pack, leads and plugs. ?

Car shows no warning lights.


HELP!!!!
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
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British Zeds
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Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
I'd get a code reader on it to see what codes it throws up. If you don't have one a local forum member may be able to help you. That should reveal the issue.
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
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British Zeds
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Sep 29, 2015
Points
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Location
Lincolnshire
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Z3 2.8
Hi guys I have a twin Cam z3 1.9. It has sat unused unfreezing weather over last four days and I went to use it today. Symptoms, won't reveal cleanly, power falls away under any load, huge, scary backfires!!

Car recently had new exhaust and had had terrible problems with emissions and poor mpg.

Possible solutions?

Have wondered about 02 sensors, coil pack, leads and plugs. ?

Car shows no warning lights.


HELP!!!!
What area are you in, quite a few of us on here have code readers so you might get lucky
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
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Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Code reader should be first thing to do, from symptoms you mention I would expect to see a camshaft sensor code. Lack of power may indicate a bad Maf sensor, you could try cleaning the Maf sensor with the correct maf cleaning soloution but if its duff then replacement will be required, they aint cheap only replace with oem make do not throw money at cheap ebay pattern parts they seldom work or last long. Use Bosch or Seimens sensors, they were oem suppliers. Also check all rubber hoses and connections under the bonnet for splits and air leaks replace any that are split and leaking, these engines require the induction system to be air tight when it comes to all the rubber hoses and pipes. As the others have said let us know where you are then someone close may be able to assist with code reading etc.
 

Biggbn

Dedicated Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2018
Points
44
Am in Dundee, Scotland. Car been covering 600 miles a week no issues, albeit a bit juicy. It did something similar once in torrential rain but cleared and been fine since...thinking ignition side?
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
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Dec 31, 2013
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Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
HT leads and coils my first port of call.
If the EM light isn't on there may be pending codes but thats likely to be all.

Tony.
 

mrscalex

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British Zeds
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Swindon & Swansea
There are general checks you can make and some of these have already been suggested.

But any fault like this should have a code reader put on it.

You may or may not find a code. But no point huffing and puffing finding the fault blind if the car has a clue for you.
 

Biggbn

Dedicated Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2018
Points
44
Mystery deepens. Car started on button and drives fine today? Will enable me to get it to garage for diagnostic at least.
 

Tracy Dee

Zorg Guru (III)
The M44 Massive
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Aug 3, 2015
Points
145
Location
Hertfordshire
Cat mine broke up completely blocking system no power at all loud banging noise max speed foot on floor 25 mph
Could have dislodged something inside of the cat fitting a new exhaust.
Hope you get it sorted.
 
Last edited:

jonco

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
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Dec 6, 2011
Points
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Location
Chester
Model of Z
'98 1.9 Auto
Mystery deepens. Car started on button and drives fine today? Will enable me to get it to garage for diagnostic at least.
Good news for today. You could buy some gear (20 pin adaptor, Wifi or USB convertor to read the codes fairly cheaply - certainly cheaper than a garage unless you have a contact.
 

Ianmc

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Points
165
Location
New Forest
Model of Z
Z3 (M44)
Exactly the symptoms I had with a failing camshaft sensor on my twin cam M44 1.9. Replaced with an OEM one, no problems since.:thumbsup:
 
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