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Oddly Godly

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 17, 2019
Points
135
Location
dunstable
Model of Z
z3 2.8
My engine light came on today and the code reader seems to hint at the maf sensor or an air leak. Has anyone used the maf cleaning spray. I erased the code and it has stayed off for a few minutes but I haven't driven anywhere yet. I may order the two air hoses that cause a lot of the trouble anyway as it probably has 21 year hoses fitted and if I poke around to much I might cause a leak anyway.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Tried cleaner on mine when it went bad, all that did was kill it completly, replaced with oem and that cured it, expensive but no good going for cheap ebay ones, been there done that etc. If you have an air leak I would reccomend a smoke test to check the entire system out, it will lead you staright to the problem areas. Your quite right about the age of the rubber, they don't last forever.
Always worth checking your fuel trims in live data if your scanner or diagnostics have that option. Air leaks will cause the fuel trims to go high as it tries to compensate for all the air the exhaust sensors are seeing that is not being measured going through the Maf. It thinks the car is running lean and adds more fuel.
 

Oddly Godly

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 17, 2019
Points
135
Location
dunstable
Model of Z
z3 2.8
Tried cleaner on mine when it went bad, all that did was kill it completly, replaced with oem and that cured it, expensive but no good going for cheap ebay ones, been there done that etc. If you have an air leak I would reccomend a smoke test to check the entire system out, it will lead you staright to the problem areas. Your quite right about the age of the rubber, they don't last forever.
Always worth checking your fuel trims in live data if your scanner or diagnostics have that option. Air leaks will cause the fuel trims to go high as it tries to compensate for all the air the exhaust sensors are seeing that is not being measured going through the Maf. It thinks the car is running lean and adds more fuel.
Fuel trims are mentioned by the scanner. I can have a live feed although I might not understand it. I will go for a spin tomorrow and see if the light comes back. Probably change the hoses given there age
IMG_20200217_141007.jpg
 
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colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Spot on diagnosis with those fuel trims, you either have a massive air leak and or a bad Maf maybe both. Best bet and cheapest to start with is to track down the air leak(s), replace any split or cracked rubber hoses, favorite is the intake bellows from Maf to throttle body. If you button up all the air leaks you should see the fuel trims return to normal. I dealt with a 2.2 last year that had high fuel trims that were down to leaks on the intake side and a cracked cam/rocker cover around number 4 plug. Replaced rubbers and had to fit a good used cam cover with new gasket and round rubber washers for the cover securing bolts. Once it was airtight the fuel trims returned to normal in an instant. Don't forget to clear the codes and rescan after running the engine.
Camshaft sensor code also needs looking at but solve the air leak problem first, clear the codes and see if that one comes back, if it returns then replace that sensor, it will be on the exhaust side of the camshaft, top of engine.
 

gookah

Zorg Guru (IV)
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British Zeds
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Dec 7, 2011
Points
170
Location
Shropshire
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
I used MAF cleaner on mine, and then had to replace the MAF afterwards, It killed it off completely.
MAF cleaner is good for finding vacuum leaks, but don't get it anywhere near a MAF.

My vacuum hoses have needed replacing twice in the 20 years.. you have done well if yours are still original.
 

Oddly Godly

Zorg Guru (III)
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British Zeds
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May 17, 2019
Points
135
Location
dunstable
Model of Z
z3 2.8
Just been and cleaned my zed and had a quick look at the hoses. One of them has a split in it. Possibly a lot bigger after my faffing around :whistle:l only bought my code reader 3 weeks ago and it has probably just paid for it's self. Anyway of to my local BMW garage just up the road to order a replacement. The split is in the smaller concertinard offshoot and only visible when poking about with it.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Yes you found the most common problem rubber componant on the car, these are a regular cause for bad running and error codes being set. Put a new one on and ensure its on correctly and sealed with the clamps. Clear your codes and see if any return after giving the car a run. Check your fuel trims in live data if you can and see if they have returned to normal, i.e. not high and adding fuel.
 

Oddly Godly

Zorg Guru (III)
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British Zeds
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Points
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Location
dunstable
Model of Z
z3 2.8
Just ordered two hoses from my local bmw dealer Specialist cars in Luton. The parts man knew straight away which bits I needed. Had a look round the showroom at what I might be driving in 21 years time when the price has dropped enough for me to buy one =))
IMG_20200218_125555.jpg
IMG_20200218_125538.jpg
 

Oddly Godly

Zorg Guru (III)
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British Zeds
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May 17, 2019
Points
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Location
dunstable
Model of Z
z3 2.8
The link you sent is a z4 an I have a z3. I ordered from the local dealer which was a bit more than the internet as its easier to return if they don't fit. I ordered number 3 and 5. The leak is in the offshoot the number 5 is pointing to. The parts man seemed to know all about the air leaks and knew his stuff. He only looked about 20.
Screenshot_20200218-111700.png
 
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colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Spot on thats the parts, sorry got confused switching between Z4 and Z3, diagrams for 2.8.
Changed a couple of these for people, always seem to go in the flexi branch, over time vibration and age takes its toll on this. These engines like an airtight system, tracking down the less obvious leaks can be difficult, a smoke test is a sure fire way of tracing them. Make sure youn get that small flap aligned in the cut out on the throttle body to ensure the part sits at the correct angle for connection to the upper intake boot.
 

Oddly Godly

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 17, 2019
Points
135
Location
dunstable
Model of Z
z3 2.8
Two new hoses fitted and so far so good. Now the central locking has blown a fuse probably the loom of doom. I have a repair section ready to solder in place when it stops raining and blowing a gale :whistle: it maybe sometime.
 

Redline

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Points
208
Location
Nuneaton
Model of Z
E89 20i msport
Just ordered two hoses from my local bmw dealer Specialist cars in Luton. The parts man knew straight away which bits I needed. Had a look round the showroom at what I might be driving in 21 years time when the price has dropped enough for me to buy one =))View attachment 132015 View attachment 132017
Thought you were going to say that the new hoses came surrounded by this packaging. Excellent value ;)
 
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