Z3 1.9 Cold starting problems

[Astrauk]

After you do the service if no improvement next step is going to be a compression check on the engine to see how much is in each cylinder

Will do and thanks for your assistance

 

[Astrauk]

There will be zero, if you have the starter motor whizzing but not seemingly turning the motor then the valves are stuck open. This is a very common m44 issue, doesnt actually do it any harm but annoying. The oil drains out of the lifters as the car is stood which gets worse as the temprature falls. The only real fix is the recon the head ( though to counter this argument it will only last until it wears again). For some reason changing the oil seems to work in the majority of casses. I did try a stuffer oil and then a thinner oil but still it would come back. There is not that much you can really do, i woukd swap the oil in the autumn and it woukd just about get me through the winter so it was new oil again in the spring. realistically i suppose if you saved up all the money you will spend on oil then maybe spend it on new recon head.

Good opportunity to use my Halfords Trade Card for some oil and filter retail therapy tomorrow

 

[Synclare]

Your ex-employer re located to Sheffield Jason?

 

[littlefeller]

Your ex-employer re located to Sheffield Jason?

Not relocated as such, just consolidated at a place called Tibshelf just shy of shefield, about 98 miles from where i live. They ttied to get me to drive to warwick everday as there head office is there but the traffic around stratford in a nightmare, takes aboit an hour to go just 25 miles

 

[handsomejackuk]

Mine did this for years, change the oil and it goes away but returns again after about 3000 miles or so. Summer was ok ish but worse in winter.

mine too had bad cold start once i changed the oil this issue went away... so as Jason Says could be valve lifters...

i use the torque app connected to an anroid phone and a bluetooth obd reader and a 20 pin to obd adaptor permananetly connected in the car this gives me all the diagnostics i need in the car and gives me real time data displayed on guages.. you can see engine temperature thorttlw position maf readings intake vacuum and all sorts of other guages

I recommend this

Al.

 

[Astrauk]

mine too had bad cold start once i changed the oil this issue went away... so as Jason Says could be valve lifters...

i use the torque app connected to an anroid phone and a bluetooth obd reader and a 20 pin to obd adaptor permananetly connected in the car this gives me all the diagnostics i need in the car and gives me real time data displayed on guages.. you can see engine temperature thorttlw position maf readings intake vacuum and all sorts of other guages

I recommend this

Al.

Hi Al, thanks for your comments, will take a look at purchasing the necessary “ under the bonnet” items and then check out the torque app and see if it’s iPhone compatible.

 

[Astrauk]

Hi Al, thanks for your comments, will take a look at purchasing the necessary “ under the bonnet” items and then check out the torque app and see if it’s iPhone compatible.

Hi Al, sorry, forgot to ask if your suggestion works on the pre facelift Z3 model as I have seen comments about some obd software only working on the post facelift cars

 

[handsomejackuk]

Hi Al, sorry, forgot to ask if your suggestion works on the pre facelift Z3 model as I have seen comments about some obd software only working on the post facelift cars

yeah works fine on my 1998 pre facelift 1.9 m44 engine you need the 20 pin underbonnet adaptor to obd convertor though

21200872_353840258385727_7698799074940566206_o by handsomejackuk, on Flickr

21106359_353841751718911_6722572238929589318_n by handsomejackuk, on Flickr

 

[Astrauk]

Excellent thank you

 

[Chris Wells]

Hi, did you get to the bottom of the cold start issue?
My z3 has developed the same issue. Run diagnostic tool on 2 different apps and everything appears to be spot on whilst running. No fault codes appearing at all.
Thanks
Chris

 

[Astrauk]

Hi, did you get to the bottom of the cold start issue?
My z3 has developed the same issue. Run diagnostic tool on 2 different apps and everything appears to be spot on whilst running. No fault codes appearing at all.
Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris, unfortunately I did not resolve the cold starting problem and sold the car on after the mot expired a few years ago.

 

[Chris Wells]

Thanks for getting back to me, much appreciated.