Please help!

[Zooropa]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some help if you possibly can.

Driving the Z3 (1998 1.9) today on the motorway and the car lost power, I then heard a loud bang from the exhaust and when I reached the hard shoulder the battery and oil light came on. I turned the car off and then tried to restart but it wouldn't start. I waited another 30 seconds and the car started again without any issue with no warning lights.

On my way home, exiting a roundabout, car did the same thing although the bang was much quieter and car started again first time.

I also noticed when I got home that there is a LOT of black residue on the exhaust at the opening at the rear.

I may be imagining it but it also seemed to use a lot of fuel today.

I did notice a few weeks ago that there was a code present for camshaft position sensor (P0340).

Any ideas what could be causing this problem and how much I could be looking at to repair?

Ps. This is the first time I have experienced such a problem with this car.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Low Rider]

That's not sounding good may be @Lee might be able to shed some light with your problem

 

[mrscalex]

I have an idea if it went bang and is blowing out oil. But you're best off waiting for an expert.

 

[Lee]

First guess is crank/cam shaft sensor. Do you have access to a code reader ?

 

[Stevo7682]

Diag for fault codes 1st then check for split hoses causing air leaks .
The other thing is cat disintegrated blocking the exhaust

 

[t-tony]

Inlet camshaft sensor most likely . You must get codes read first. Where are you located?

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

Had same symptoms recently with my 1.9. Replaced camshaft sensor, all is now well. Part number B12.14.1.743.072. £98.36 from Soper delivered. Suggest fit an OEM part. You also need a new O ring (B12.14.1.748.398) at 99p. About an hours work to replace.

 

[Dickymint]

the bang is extra unburnt fuel in the exhaust pipe exploding, fix camshaft position sensor and all should be well

 

[t-tony]

the bang is extra unburnt fuel in the exhaust pipe exploding, fix camshaft position sensor and all should be well

That's my thinking too, ................

Tony.

 

[Zooropa]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

@Lee @Stevo7682 i checked for codes a few weeks back and got P0340 Camshaft Sensor code back. Haven't checked for new codes since it happened yesterday but will do on Sunday.

@t-tony i am in Glasgow.

@Ianmc thats interesting. Did you also have the black residue on the tail pipe and the P0340 code thrown? What were your symptoms exactly?

Thanks again to all for replies so far!

 

[raymond]

Sometimes a backfire can break the internals of the catalytic converter so it may need to be replaced.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...r_Testing/24-FUEL-Camshaft_Sensor_Testing.htm

 

[Stevo7682]

The symptoms you have were quite similar to an m44 of a guy i know footered about with it for ages before eventually it turned out to be a blocked exhaust

 

[Redline]

Burning and exploding fuel rushing through the cat isn't going to do it any favours. It does sound like that's what's happened.
Not sure why the battery and oil light came on other that the engine had cut out or was struggling to keep going.
Root cause does sound like cam sensor though.

 

[Zooropa]

Thanks for all your replies, very much appreciated. My mechanic has advised me to go to a BMW specialist for diagnosis to avoid wasting money. Spoke with one and car booked in for next week. Fingers crossed!