Problem already!

[Mazza]

Not had the car a week yet and have a problem already. Saw a large patch of oil on the drive after the car was garaged last night. Had a look underneath and around the engine bay and could not see any obvious oil leaks. This morning decided to be more methodical and could see that the hose from the Power steering reservoir to the pump was covered in oily deposits. ( I had cleaned it before I took the picture) I decided to go for it and removed all the air filter box etc and checked the level in the reservoir. Hardly any fluid in it !!!!
The pipe have crimped type clips holding them on the components. How do you get them off.....and would the be reusable or should I replace with jubilee clips ?
Would it be ok to run the engine to see if I can see the leak?
Have looked (albeit a bit limited) at the steering box, steering pump and cooling bar and can’t see any signs of leaks in those areas.

Would a leak from the reservoir or connecting pipes manage to cover the plastic underbelly covers in oil?

 

[Lee]

Quite a common leak on the zeds. In the past I have just removed those strange BMW clips and used jublee clips. You have to get heavy handed to get them off Your fine to run the engine to check for more leaks.

 

[Nodzed]

Would a leak from the reservoir or connecting pipes manage to cover the plastic underbelly covers in oil?

Yes it would. May not just be a bad joint check that there isn't a split in a pipe too

 

[Mazza]

Is it easy to remove the plastic under covers ? It might be a good idea to clean them all up and check other area while they are off.

 

[Lee]

Is it easy to remove the plastic under covers ? It might be a good idea to clean them all up and check other area while they are off.

Yeah they come off pretty easy, Combination of 8mm and 10mm Hex heads.

 

[jonco]

As previously said - covers come off easily and replace clips with jubilee.
When you refill you need to prime the system . Start with engine off - fill reservoir and move wheels from one lock to the other - level should drop as air displaced. Refill - start engine and repeat from one lock to another topping up as necessary. Do not hold it on extreme lock as it strains hydraulics - you'll hear the noise if you do.
When you have covers off check oil filter body to block joint for any leakage.

 

[Mazza]

Sorted.

With covers removed all became clear !!
The steering system parts although a bit oily in places and dirty, don’t appear to actually be leaking. So cleaned them all off and filled the reservoir and if there is a leak, not yet apparent so will leave for now and just keep an eye on it.

However.....the sump was covered in fairly clean oil.....and found a drip from the sump nut.
Checked to ensure it was tight which it was, so drained the oil out and found there was no washer on the sump nut.

All this hassle for a 50p washer.......but I did fix three other minor things in the process. Replaced a damaged screw, Straightened out the air filter which was incorrectly fitted and fixed a large split in the air filter to inlet manifold hose. ( the big expensive looking one!) Used gorilla glue and it worked a treat.

Thanks for the replies received. It’s all useful stuff and is improving my knowledge of the Z3

 

[Synclare]

Could do with a new drive belt there Mazza looking at the splits in it. Glad everything o.k

 

[Mazza]

Just been to have a better look.....I think you are right there Synclare. Thanks for pointing it out.

Also just found that the temperature dial backlight bulb has blown as well

That’s two more things to do........

 

[colb]

Power steering hoses prone to leaking as they age, had to replace one of mine it was deteriorating at the pump end and weeping fluid. New one from BMW and fitted with stainless jubilee clips.
Agree, change the belt, its a quick and easy job, just spin the idler pully to check the bearing with the belt off, any signs of roughness or noise put a new one in.I would advise getting a new hose between the air filter and throttle body do not rely on a bodge repair. These engines rely on a sealed intake path any leaks will cause you all sorts of running problems and engine management lights to light up.

 

[Mazza]

Thank you for your advice colb.
The hose repair was done very carefully and has actually worked really well. I did flex the hose after and the join held firm. But I accept that a new one is the way to go.
(I did a similar fix on a hose on my Honda Pan European and it was still good up to when I sold the bike about 18 months later.)
I will definitely keep an eye on the power steering hoses and replace them as soon as I see any signs of them weeping.
Regards

 

[colb]

Mazza, your quite welcome, as you are finding out most of the problems you are finding are age related and most of us on the forum have had the same issues arise. Ebay is a good source of spares for intake rubbers but always go for oem makes for sensors should you need to replace any on your car. I always go for Bosch or Seimens, cheap pattern parts on ebay seldom work or don't last long. Also if you don't have a code reader and an airbag reset tool I would invest in getting them, you will save yourself a lot of trouble having these to hand. Ebay is the place to get them and loads of info on the forum on what types people have and how to use them on the car. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbag-R...696883?hash=item465a2e5633:g:hVQAAOSwVL1V~o6x
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELM327-Wi...393208&hash=item28354abeef:g:S7YAAOSwq1JZL7OH
The Wifi code reader will work with the round BMW to OBD2 cable that comes with the airbag tool and a andrid mobile phone with a suitable App loaded on it.
I use this one http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/dashcommand/index.php

If you have a Laptop you can also get BMW INPA software that can do lots more than the generic code readers but is quite involved to set up and get your head around its workings.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-DIAGN...524309&hash=item25c30b1cce:g:BBcAAOSwH09ZIMjC

Worth noting that the round diagnostic socket in the engine bay should be used to read all modules, the 16pin OBD socket under the steering wheel if you have one fitted only reads the engine module.

 

[t-tony]

Just been to have a better look.....I think you are right there Synclare. Thanks for pointing it out.

Also just found that the temperature dial backlight bulb has blown as well

That’s two more things to do........

Instrument binnacle dead easy to remove to change bulbs by the way.

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

Hi Tony,
Does the steering wheel have to come off in the process? Don’t want to be smothered by the airbag

 

[colb]

No just remove the two screws in the binnacle and jiggle the unit back and up, the screws are on the front underneath the unit look up from the footwell and you will see them.

 

[jonco]

As previously said comes out with a jiggle - you can then swivel it round on cables and unplug if necessary. Reverse view below

 

[Mazza]

Many thanks to Jonco and Colb for info.....already been screwing and had a jiggle.......how enjoyable was that!

(Wife wants to know when I will pay her as much attention)

Replaced the duff bulb and all back and working.

Now only the drive belts and Bluetooth/USB radio to sort. ...........for now !

 

[t-tony]

Sorry mate only just seen this as I'm in Fla. A credit card slid along the top aids removal. You don't need to remove the steering wheel..

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

Exactly how I did it.
Also replaced the fan belt today...and without removing the fan as per the various u-tube videos!
Bit fiddly but no real problems. Luckily mine doesn’t have air con so no second belt to worry about.

Have now identified that the hoses under the steering fluid reservoir are actually weeping, but not a major problem so will order the replacements and get them fitted with stainless steel jubilee clips as suggested in the next week or so.

Thanks to all