Z3's gone to Hospital

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
#ZedShed
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Dec 31, 2013
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226
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Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
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British Zeds
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Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
s*** sorry to hear that, what's the plan mate?
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
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British Zeds
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Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
He’s going to throw a BBQ and we’re all going round with our spanner’s to fix it :)
Sounds a plan Brian. :). I'll bring the sticky tape to patch it up! :D
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
#ZedShed
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Dec 31, 2013
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Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto

Paul Rice

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British Zeds
The M44 Massive
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Sep 7, 2013
Points
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Location
Doncaster
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Z4 2.5
Love the car to bits and lots of offers of help, Having a week away in the lakes with the Z4, on my return leaning towards getting the car fixed and sold on or not. Need to take the top end off and re assess so thats the next step. Sod the money its my baby and needs the respect it deserves to save it.
 

Paul Rice

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British Zeds
The M44 Massive
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Sep 7, 2013
Points
198
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Doncaster
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Z4 2.5
Well put it off long enough, tomorrow the investigation on the Z3 begins. Taking the top off including head if needed, still hanging on to hope the problem may be nearer the top than the bottom. Will update with pictures, if i don't get too emotional during the operation.
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
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British Zeds
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Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
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Lincolnshire
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Z3 2.8
Well put it off long enough, tomorrow the investigation on the Z3 begins. Taking the top off including head if needed, still hanging on to hope the problem may be nearer the top than the bottom. Will update with pictures, if i don't get too emotional during the operation.
Good luck pal,
 

Redline

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
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Mar 10, 2015
Points
208
Location
Nuneaton
Model of Z
E89 20i msport
Expect the worst and hope for the best Paul. Fingers crossed that nothing is seriously bent or broken in there and Tony’s diagnosis is spot on.
 

Clockwatcher

Zorg Legend
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British Zeds
Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Points
71
Location
Lincoln
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 Roadster
Paul,

Try not to worry too much (easy for me to say when its not mine:nailbiting:).

There are not many things that kill an engine permanently. A thorough investigation, some TLC, a few pennies and she will be running around like new(ish). There is a BMW truckload of expertise in the list of ZRoadsters above to bring her back. All the best.

CW
 

Jack Ratt

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Dec 3, 2013
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TRURO, CORNWALL
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2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Best of luck mate, I feel for you as I'm in a similar place with my black zed. I did a head gasket change and top end rebuild and thought everything was ok. The car ran great for about 500 miles then it started miss firing. The problem I have is cylinder 5 keeps oiling up. If I clean the plug the car runs great for a while then fouls again. I did a spark plug shuffle and again, it runs great then number 5 oils up again.
I'm suspecting piston rings or the nikosil coating on the cylinder walls. If it's the nikosil coating, then the engine is f****d.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. I might sell it on as a project, might fit another engine or might break it for spares. I've spent a few quid on it over the last 12 months but I've done everything myself so haven't had to pay anyone other than for reconditioning my cylinder head.
If your problem is the head gasket it's a relatively easy fix, it's not too expensive and not a difficult job if you can do it yourself. Good luck.
 

Paul Rice

Zorg Guru (V)
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British Zeds
The M44 Massive
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Points
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Location
Doncaster
Model of Z
Z4 2.5
Finally got round too and started today. Well i helped!

New tool box on display, Got to look the part even if the talent is limited
P1040270.JPG

The strip down started
P1040271.JPG

Was half hoping something was wrong up here but everything looks exactly as it should
P1040272.JPG

"Have you nearly finished, i want my walk"
P1040273.JPG


Well gone as far as we can today need a lock for the cams (be here next week) Manifold off along with lots of other bits just thermostat and front pipe to disconnect before removing the head. Only anomaly so far the valve stem on cylinder four on the right bank looks blackened. Cannot view left bank yet till its off. All valve stems seem solid and straight, at least the ones we can see.
 

Jjim

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 21, 2017
Points
168
Location
Mansfield
Model of Z
1.9 Roadster
Good luck with the search. Hope it sticks out when you find out what's wrong.
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
:nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting:. I'm with you in spirit mate :D
 

bessieblue

Zorg Guru (II)
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Points
120
Location
chelmsford
Model of Z
2.2
Best of luck mate, I feel for you as I'm in a similar place with my black zed. I did a head gasket change and top end rebuild and thought everything was ok. The car ran great for about 500 miles then it started miss firing. The problem I have is cylinder 5 keeps oiling up. If I clean the plug the car runs great for a while then fouls again. I did a spark plug shuffle and again, it runs great then number 5 oils up again.
I'm suspecting piston rings or the nikosil coating on the cylinder walls. If it's the nikosil coating, then the engine is f****d.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. I might sell it on as a project, might fit another engine or might break it for spares. I've spent a few quid on it over the last 12 months but I've done everything myself so haven't had to pay anyone other than for reconditioning my cylinder head.
If your problem is the head gasket it's a relatively easy fix, it's not too expensive and not a difficult job if you can do it yourself. Good luck.
What about a short block rebore & new pistons
 
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