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SpunkyM

PVR wrote:Starts and runs fine but needs a new sump. So ... how long would it have been running fine without oil ...

Good point!

SpunkyM

Constant assistance on the Z3 as far as I know. You generally only get variable assistance with electric power steering.

SpunkyM

Yep, maximising efficiency is generally always what manufacturers strive to achieve to meet the end objective. That end objective is not always maximum peak power of course! As well as the inlet, the exhaust works on a very similar principle in that air resonances are designed in. Done correctly the...

SpunkyM

What a lot of people do not realise is that the entire inlet tract is tuned to resonate at a certain frequency to compliment the inlet valve timing / cylinder strokes etc. At the resonance point you get significant gains in the pumping action of the engine (essentially it's just a big air pump). If ...

SpunkyM

I wonder if there are any 'cleaner' pads available which are very abrasive. You could run these for a few fast stops which would essentially be as good as a skim for your purposes... I'll have a hunt around the web....

SpunkyM

LOL.. great answer!

It's quite likely that one of your ABS sensors has failed. Often they can get gunked up and actually just need a clean. Type 'abs sensor' into the search, there are a few posts on this.

SpunkyM

To say it won't work properly is a bit strong. I think the issue is that when the ABS 'pulses' the brakes on and of many times a second during a lockup, a resonance is set up between the pump, hoses, pistons etc. The resonant frequency can be calculated and the ABS system is designed to cope with it...

SpunkyM

Yep, well remembered Stu - there was a post on here about that a long time ago. I take it you are not losing fluid at all?

SpunkyM

It's mechanical (driven by a v belt as you mention). Quite unusual to go intermittent, when they do it's usually either low fluid or slipping belt. Sounds like you've eliminated both those so I wonder if the pressure relief valve is faulty?

SpunkyM

If you have aircon, switch that on - helps to dry the air which is more effective for demisting.

SpunkyM

Mines same too - only about the last 60' of the dial has any effect. Very common issue but you get used to it!

SpunkyM

I'm a bit confused by this - is it really for cars purchased before 2006 or registered before 2006. If it's the former than it won't affect resale value at all as in effect nothing will have changed.

SpunkyM

Hi Onslow, please tell more - what colour is the S54 (and therefore hardtop), what's the asking price, mileage etc. They are a pretty rare beast you know (only 79 ever brought into the UK). We think about around 70 driving around today. There is a sticky thread on the forum homepage where a user cal...

SpunkyM

They are all a bit hesitant when cold - M3's are exactly the same. Should be fine within 5 mins or so though.

SpunkyM

+better suspension, bigger engine and more power (not that you'd notice the last 2 though

)

SpunkyM

No no, it's a just a plastic cosmetic cover - no gaskets or anything involved at all. Just unclip the HT modules from the top of each plug and take the plugs out. Very very simple - nothing to worry about.

SpunkyM

I generally always go to the dealers for standard service items like these as they are often just as cheap as anywhere else. IIRC Halfords don't do one for the S54 (at least the didn't when I last checked).

SpunkyM

Yep, unscrew the 6 posh chrome nuts and all will be revealed.

SpunkyM

Nick, send me a form please.

SpunkyM

You know when you've owned a car for over 4 years, and then all of a sudden you discover a new feature....

IT WORKS!!!

All this time, and I never knew it could do that. As you say, no mention in the handbook. Thanks for making it known.

SpunkyM

Maybe I wasn't quick enough switching it back off again. But certainly just switching it from intermittent to off to intermittent doesn't effect anything. No matter how long you leave it in the off position. I'll go try it again and this time switch it off again the instant the wipers start to move...

SpunkyM

With the hardtop that is an absolute steal. Surely that won't be hanging around for long. I wonder if the seller even realises it's an S54?

SpunkyM

Just have - doesn't work.. always about 7 secs interval when on the move.

SpunkyM

I think there were 79 in total.

SpunkyM

I would go for that too.

SpunkyM

If you have the Euro ones which are speed sensitive, you can also adjust the intermittent interval too. You do this by flicking the wipers to intermittent, then to off - wait the interval you require, then switch wipers to intermittent again. The interval achievable is approximately 1 seconds to 20...

SpunkyM

I'll bet you my right leg the washer motor is fine - it will be the little plastic filter things on the outlets of the washer bottle. Easy fix - remove washer bottle and then just pull out. You can squirt them with a hose pipe and they clean out no probs.

SpunkyM

The only problem I have found with this is if it is raining really hard and you come to standstill at a junction for example - the bloody wipers stop, just when you need them most!

SpunkyM

Correct - the Z4's did though (apart from the M). It totally spoils the otherwise lovely 3L Z4.

I suppose it could still be relevant in that the power steering pump is much harder to turn during full lock which could slow the engine slightly - but it's not an electrical issue as such.

SpunkyM

Nope, not applicable to the M's - the power steering is not electric!

SpunkyM

I can't imagine what could fail inside the DME to cause this - but stranger things have happened.

SpunkyM

dupe post

SpunkyM

£400 with the door cards as well?

SpunkyM

More thoughts - dirty or clogged injectors also know to cause this sort of thing. You can get them ultrasonically cleaned for about £10 ech.

SpunkyM

Hmmm, sorry to hear you still have this problem. I wonder if it is something to do with the ECU not measuring the engine rpm correctly around idle? I believe this is done from the crankshaft sensor so that might be worth looking at. I'm not filled with confidence this is the problem though as I woul...

SpunkyM

I'm with Mike on the 'Longlife' oils as well. Much better to use a good quality synthetic and change at regular intervals.

Longlife oils were 'marketed' to try to show lower running costs for companies making fleet car purchases. Load of hype if you ask me.

SpunkyM

The ICV is not powered by simple DC, but rather is 'pulsed' at high frequency to give what is essentially PWM control. This is what causes it to buzz as you describe which is quite normal. Doesn't mean it's not gunked up with crap though, so still worth a strip down and clean. If that doesn't help, ...

SpunkyM

I tried an outdoor cover from CoverZone once - no problems with water resistance and breathability but it tends to be quite windy where I live and even a small amount of movement over a couple of days caused the lacquer to 'dull' with the constant rubbing. I managed to recover the shine with a lot o...

SpunkyM

Doesn't always show a fault code as it depends how 'soggy' the signal goes. It would be my best guess as well after checking for the obvious physical things like mentioned above.

SpunkyM

The DSC is well judged on the later cars but there's still no way you would want it switched on with a track session. I did a few laps at Croft with it on just while I got used to the track but it felt so much faster, fun and lively with it off (especially coming out of the hairpin). I actually find...

SpunkyM

Personally I wouldn't even consider a trackday on std pads but you might be OK if you take it very steady and concentrate on maintaining speed through the corners rather than flooring it on the straights and braking hard. Both the heavier car and the better acceleration means lots more energy to get...

SpunkyM

Diff oil change must be in the top 10 for the easiest things in the world to do. 1) Undo drain plug from bottom of diff and let oil drain out. 2) Put drain plug back in. 3) Undo refill plug (about 4 inches above drain plug) 4) Refill with squidgy bottle and tube until fluid comes out of refill plug....

SpunkyM

Change the brake pads for some decent aftermarket items (Pagid is generally good stuff) and do the fluid too if it's never been changed.

Brake fade is the no.1 thing on a track day that will spoil your fun.

SpunkyM

greg_ch wrote:
SpunkyM wrote:Doesn't look like we'll ever see a V8 in a Z then. Wonder if they will shoehorn a 6pot turbo in though?
Top model is expected to be a 3.0, six with twin turbo pushing out something close to 350hp.

Well that will be pretty potent. 400bhp should be easily attainable with a chip.

SpunkyM

Yours is 3 years older though and the 3.0l cars generally fetch a bit more. Can't deny the slow market at the mo though

SpunkyM

Doesn't look like we'll ever see a V8 in a Z then. Wonder if they will shoehorn a 6pot turbo in though?

SpunkyM

OK the miles are a bit on the high side, but that 3.0l is virtually indestructible. What an absolute steal for a 2001 3.0l Z.

Keep it until spring would be my advise, I bet you'd shift it no probs then.

SpunkyM

Well it looks very similar but it's more expensive than the ones from Hampshire Hoses and we know for a fact that one fits. Safest bet is to order from Hampshire Hoses (or the other supplier that was listed on the thread at the time).

SpunkyM

I can say for a fact that even the smallest amount of air in the slave cylinder makes the clutch virtually impossible to operate - that is why (as I found out) you have to be so particular when bleeding it. By the same token, I guess you could say the same about even a small amount of 'stretch' in t...

SpunkyM

I'll fit a braided clutch hose this winter, just to see what I think, and will be let you know if it makes any change. ..it didn't make any appreciable difference on my car I have to say. Maybe that's because with it being an 02 year the rubber has not 'perished' as much as others or maybe it's cau...

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