Urgent Help Needed

Redline

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Points
208
Location
Nuneaton
Model of Z
E89 20i msport
What is the difference in these spark plugs?

Why would you buy the more expensive ones as opposed to the cheaper ones? Aside from longevity?

View attachment 46111

Like most things you get what you pay for. It's all down to manufacturing quality. Buy cheap - buy twice. If the car isn't going to be a keeper then buy cheap.
I have seen a plug where the whole ceramic core has blown out.
Running a car with a spark plug could be dangerous. It will be pumping un-burnt fuel out into the engine bay which could then catch fire, especially with an unprotected HT voltage on the disconnected lead. Good job you got it sorted.
 

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Points
145
Location
Leicester
Model of Z
1.9 M44
@Zeti thanks! We have a parts store here in the UK called eurocarparts and they have 30% off most weekends, it used to be just on occasions but now it's every weekend.

@Redline dug through my receipts, and I realised I have a lot of receipts... =)) Anyway it appears that I got the plugs in January of this year, they are the bosch super plus fr7ldc+ I like my zed a lot and don't plan to get rid of her anytime soon. The plugs I bought weren't cheap but they're not the most expensive either, I believe they were oe quality.

IMG_20161202_192211.jpg

IMG_20161202_192135.jpg


IMG_20161202_192147.jpg


All receipts =))=))
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
On listening to your video mate it sounds like a misfire probably caused by the plug lead connection failing, not uncommon for something like to go away as the engine warms. I would be looking at a set of new plug leads rather than plugs if it were me.

Tony.
 

Redline

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Points
208
Location
Nuneaton
Model of Z
E89 20i msport
@Zeti thanks! We have a parts store here in the UK called eurocarparts and they have 30% off most weekends, it used to be just on occasions but now it's every weekend.

@Redline dug through my receipts, and I realised I have a lot of receipts... =)) Anyway it appears that I got the plugs in January of this year, they are the bosch super plus fr7ldc+ I like my zed a lot and don't plan to get rid of her anytime soon. The plugs I bought weren't cheap but they're not the most expensive either, I believe they were oe quality.

View attachment 46116
View attachment 46117

View attachment 46118

All receipts =))=))
I'd certainly trust Bosch. Looks like it possibly wasn't tightened in properly.
 

Zeti

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Romanian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Points
167
Location
Bucuresti/ Romania
Model of Z
Z3 roadster 1.9
I don't trust for some time the bosch anymore...but is personal ...
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
I have read somewhere on here or .net that Bosch plugs can work loose
 

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Points
145
Location
Leicester
Model of Z
1.9 M44
On listening to your video mate it sounds like a misfire probably caused by the plug lead connection failing, not uncommon for something like to go away as the engine warms. I would be looking at a set of new plug leads rather than plugs if it were me.

Tony.
In theory couldn't I just use a plug lead from my project car and this would confirm the issue? Or is there a way to check whether it is definitely the lead?
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
In theory couldn't I just use a plug lead from my project car and this would confirm the issue? Or is there a way to check whether it is definitely the lead?
Thats a good idea mate and will work. you cab try one at a time
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Just try the one on which the plug blew out. See if it attaches to the plug cap firmly as it should. Never ever known any particular type of spark plug to be liable for coming loose and certainly have heard of any I've fitted ever coming loose. I have seen cars come it at work with loose spark plugs but you always hear them blowing, so it must having been loose for some time Faheem. If you're unsure of how tight to do them use a torque wrench set at the correct kg/m or ft/lb.

Tony.
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
In theory couldn't I just use a plug lead from my project car and this would confirm the issue? Or is there a way to check whether it is definitely the lead?
The plug leads have a carbon trace (thread) running through them which transmits the spark to the plug. This in turn is crimped to a metal clip which locates tightly onto the spark plug cap. At some point the metal clip will have come away leaving the end of the carbon trace to arc to the spark plug cap, which it struggles to do with a cold engine and gets better as it warms up.

Tony.
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
Just try the one on which the plug blew out. See if it attaches to the plug cap firmly as it should. Never ever known any particular type of spark plug to be liable for coming loose and certainly have heard of any I've fitted ever coming loose. I have seen cars come it at work with loose spark plugs but you always hear them blowing, so it must having been loose for some time Faheem. If you're unsure of how tight to do them use a torque wrench set at the correct kg/m or ft/lb.

Tony.
I was thinking the same mate, that it must have taken a while to unwind, must have been quite a big loss in compression as well
 

hard top

Zorg Expert (I)
Dutch Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Points
213
Location
Netherlands
I don't trust for some time the bosch anymore...but is personal ...
Yeah, but you lot joined the Axis.....

Approximately 370,000 Romanian soldiers died during the war, most of them in Soviet captivity.
 

Zeti

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Romanian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Points
167
Location
Bucuresti/ Romania
Model of Z
Z3 roadster 1.9
Doing anything to get rid of the big bear...the entire history...
 

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Points
145
Location
Leicester
Model of Z
1.9 M44
@Sean d MPG has remained consistent at around 35mpg and there's been no other noticeable issues such as power loss / noises that would suggest that anything was wrong. Rough idle on a cold start is common amongst the 1,9 zed variety so I didn't think much of it.

I'll have to check the other plugs tomorrow.

@t-tony is the plug lead the same as an ignition coil?

Euro have them, but they're a set of 4 that is around £90 and I have a feeling that I'll only need one. :( I've put an order for a new plug -- as the one I put back in landed on the under-tray and I'm not a huge fan of that being used again -- but what I'll do is I'll swap out the ignition coil as well as the plugs before I start the car tomorrow. Fingers crossed that fixes both issues. It's good that I have two identical zeds, incredibly easy to diagnose issues in a way. =))
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
I don't think the 1.9 has a pencil coil on each plug like the 6 pots? I may be totally wrong but I thought they had a coil pack and 4 HT (high tension) leads. Sorry if I'm wrong mate.

Tony.
 

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Points
145
Location
Leicester
Model of Z
1.9 M44
I was having a look at a YouTube video of a bloke doing it on his 1.9 and it seems that each coil can be swapped out?

View: https://youtu.be/KZJnTK7OCJI


It's more likely that I'll be wrong as my mechanical knowledge can't be compared with yours =))=))=))
 
Top