zroadster.net

LaRy

I have the feeling that the microswitch at the lock is working "one step ahead" of the mechanical connection to the door closing mechanism. Also the drivers door is locked/unlocked by the electrical actuator, not by you by turning the key. The rod between the lock and the door closing mech...

LaRy

Hi, maybe this explanation can help you: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1549850-central-locking-explained-in-detail Some years ago I had some problems. I removed the locking mechanism from the car and cleaned it from old dry grease by using brake cleaner spray. It was really old a...

LaRy

I agree with everything you say, Robert T. I'm even driving my Z3 with V-Power or equal, and will continue to do that. Maybe it is ok for the engine, but all the rubber fuel hoses we have. The vent system for the tank! If those start to leak, it will take many hours to get the tank out to change tho...

LaRy

I want to add the following information. Fuse F27 must be ok to make the ABS light on. This is happening. You turn the ignition on, F27 is feeding the ABS bulb, but on the negative side, it is included a diod on its way to ground. When the ABS control module is ready, this will feed the bulb with 12...

LaRy

When ignition is switched on, all varning bulbs lite up for a second as a lamp test. The ABS symbol in the middle remains on for additional 1 second.
After that, the oil and battery remains on until the engine is running.

LaRy

Don't blaim the PRC. This is a question of quality specification, followed up by western inspectors, either at site or when arriving to the destination. Several good brands of rotors for the brakes are made in PCR, but the manufacture has to check, also the quality of the steel. So my opinion is tha...

LaRy

The short answer, it is no difference in specs. I've been reading Bentleys Publisher Service Manual for Z3, and the specs are equal for all Z3 for the front wheels. In the rear, it differs between 4 cyl and 6 cyl, but nothing can be adjusted, just checked. The values for the front aligment differs i...

LaRy

I had to change the tube 1 week ago, the same reasson as AndyT62 wrote.
My guess is that the warm weather is making the rubber tube softer after many years and get bended, especially just under the resevoir and also at the bonnet hinge

LaRy

Hi,
This info maybe help you: https://www.rtsauto.com/bmw-engine-and- ... ion-codes/
Anyway, the first 4 digits 206S stands for 2.0 litre, 6 cylinder, 4 valve,

LaRy

Here you have the solution. Some small drilling, and you are in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyGf25jZ_AQ

LaRy

Not just in UK, I would say 30% increase in the last year in Sweden. I have also checked the prices in Germany. It is shocking. Normal price is 15.000 -20.000EUR for an ordinary 2.8 l!

LaRy

Why is Sonnenland the best. As they say: Sonnenland" is the brand name for a 3-layer, high quality topping. Originally used by Mercedes Benz, Porsche, BMW and other top marques, will remain like new for many years.

LaRy

It's a lot of good material out there, but the best brand is Sonnenland. If someone is offering Sonnenland, it is worth a little extra.

LaRy

If it is similar to the one I have for my 2.8l, the purpose use to be to suck in cold fresh air. Not warm air from under the hood. Cold air is offering a little more horse power.

LaRy

I made a request in the Swedish BMW Z forum. The reply is that BMW offers electric softtop update for Z3, manufacured from 5/97, not earlier. Is your car made before this month? It seems like the frame was changed after that month. This part is maybe a part of the complete frame, not sold as a separ...

LaRy

I understand your frustration. I checked the BMW spar parte catalouge, and the part just don't exist. Anyway, I would in your case visit a BMW dealer and show the picture. Hopefully they will make a request to Germany.

LaRy

Good that you solved it. I looked into the electric documentation for your car. It is an exotic plug, normally found in the left footwell, right hand side. Purpose, to connect some component for the AC evaporator.

LaRy

Good links to the ETM, RobertT. Sovicka can now have a look at electrical drawing 5430.2. Something is odd, or the cable harness does not exist in the car. Unfortunately my Z3 in still in winter sleep, far away, so I can't check.

LaRy

Sorry, but I got some info: Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached.
I don't know what to do. So, no attached pictures of the electrical drawings.

LaRy

Attaching electrical drawings for the soft top. I hope it will help you. The drawings are valid for Z3, 1997.I would say that the plug in the car is wrong. That type of plug do only exist in a totally different place.

LaRy

I´ve been looking into the electrical drawings for your car. The plug on the pump is OK, the other is maybe changed. What about colors? Do you have the same colors on female and male. In that case, make a simple connection with any plug. I think the length of the flex cable in the trunk is rather sh...

LaRy

Memory is returning now. Yes, I had the same problem. You have to clean the lock mechanism, ( not the lock cylinder), becasue the old dry grease is making the rods move slowly or to little. Certain parts do not "click". So actually, when unlocking the car, it is supposed to make a connenti...

LaRy

Here is a video how to remove the inerior door trim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCv-vWho_mU I've done it several times. I think I had the same problem some years ago. You have to take the lock mechanism out, clean it from all old grease and put on new frech oil/grease. It is slightly tricky to ...

LaRy

Have you checked the valve cover gasket? Mine started to leak a couple of years ago. My Z3 cannot be the only one. When these cars were made, BMW did not know that the rubber in this gasket could not stand the syntetic oil. The gasket is getting hard as bakelite and will actually crack into pieces w...

LaRy

I think you should avoid the runflats. Those are rather common in the Z4. After reading different Z-forums, the runflats makes the car run like a snake.

LaRy

I've tried some different tyres, and finally found the Bridgestone Potenza to be a very good sporty tyre to a decent price. Maybe not the best in heavy rain, but personally I use my Z3 in nice weather. The Bridgestone Potenza is used by Ferrari and Mercedes. I've tried Falken (not the type you menti...

LaRy

I don't know if this has to do with different forces or vibrations from the auto box, but I have had some broken weld spots in the sub frame fastening. In any case, good to check those weld spots under the carpet in the trunk. In my case, no deformation, replacement of the broken spotwelds by M8 bol...

LaRy

Hi, I've been owning a Z3 automatic now for 9 years. It's a 2.8 l. I love it and have never regret that I bought an auto. The 6 cylinder engine is strong with good torque, a must for automatic. It is working smooth and nice, definitely smother than the new dual clutch gearboxes. If you buy one, an e...

LaRy

The Osram Nightbreakers is the strongest legal bulb accoding to tests, but my personal experience is that the lifetime of those are short. But you can definitely see the difference.

LaRy

I read about this painting method and it has been working very good for me. First, of cource, a good suitable primer and let it dry totally. Then spray a coat of color, should just be looking wet, not very wet. Wait always exactly 5 minutes between each layer. Spray 4 layers like this. Then wait 15 ...

LaRy

I think you have to start it all over again! But my guess is that the color coats and the clear coat is not from the same manufaktur.

Or you waited to short time. Normally when spraying, wait 5 minutes between each spray layer, but wait 15 minutes between color and clear coat layer.

LaRy

European market depends on if your Z3 is a left hand drive o right hand drive. In all countries driving to the right, a right hand drive is totally dead. Price level is half.

LaRy

A fault code reader would also be a good investment and maybe solve the problem. But you have to remember, fault codes in a car from 1998 is definitely not the same as today.
Probaly you will get a lot of faultcodes, but it we will help you to sort it out

LaRy

First step would be to check power supply (battery and alternator). Park the car in front of a wall. Turn on the headlights and check if the light remains on during starting. If the engine would start, remain in front of the wall and check if it happens anything to the light when the engine stops. I...

LaRy

I would not give up the fans so easy. 2 motors broken at the same time....... No. Make a resistance test, I would guess something like 1 Ohm, if it is an open circuit, fan motor is broken. I would have made a jumper straight from + to the fans to check if working. Some facts how it is working: The E...

LaRy

I'm not sure, but some odd fuses can be found in the box to the right in the engine bay. In the same area as you find the car computer.

LaRy

I'm also one of those, greatful to the mini spare wheel, when visiting Italy. It was a rented car, and I could return it to the renter. The origin wheel was totally destroyed. Later, when buying a new Honda Civic, I decided to buy a mini spare wheel from https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/ , could not f...

LaRy

In UK you have a good company seeling mini spares, https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/
You cannot find the Z3 in the list, but as you have the tire dimension, it will be no problem for them to find a fitting rim, I suppose.

LaRy

Good to check relays. My impression is that those are broken due to age. In the past two years, I have been changing 3 relays with broken magnetic coils.

LaRy

I just have the lectric drawings for the -98, but most probably it is working in the same way. The engine control module is supposed to start the fan continoulsy at low speed. You have 2 fuses for the fan, are those checked? You have a low speed fan relay, in my case no K21, is that working? In high...

LaRy

You can always check the specification for your car from by using the VIN number. The code for differential lock 25% is S209A. You can definitely feel the difference if you have a differential lock. When giving full power in a turn, the inner wheel is not spinning, the car acts more like a gocart wi...

LaRy

As Motco says, it's a big system. 0.9 kg refrigerant , that is double compared to newer cars.

LaRy

This is definitely not any DIY, as you in those cases will use propane instead of the correct refrigerant. Most probable it is just to fill it up again, as even up to 10% leakage per year is normal. But it is definitely not any reason to use the BMW shop. Today, with the needed license to work with ...

LaRy

I was reading the post "Z3 illustrated Child's Guide to DIY maintenance" from 17th of June, where it you can find links to https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main_Z3.htm . I was just reading the section jacking up your car. It clearly shows in picture 10 that you can place ...

LaRy

Hi, I've been changing the tensioner and must tell you that the quality today is very poor, even if they are looking the same. I got a couple of tensioners making noise from the bearing of the tensioner arm also making a poor tensioning job. If you buy a BMW origin tensioner, they want you to replac...

LaRy

I just remembered that I have a paper copy of the Z3 (E36) option code list, totally 6 pages. I can't find any torchlight as an option.

LaRy

I have neither seen a torch supplied with a Z3. I've been the owner of my Z3 since 2011, continuously reading everything I find about this nice car.

LaRy

I have some experience from working with different brake calipers and sliding bolts. It seems that European cars mostly use ATE brakes and those are using sliding bolts made from stainless steel. Normally working good in salty winter roads, a long as the gaskets are ok. But if looking at Asian cars,...

LaRy

The most tricky part to change is the coolant. You need to follow the procedure "according to the book" in order to get the air out from the system. I would say that BMW is using a very odd principle for the cooling system. The water reservoar and the water level is actually not the highes...

LaRy

Hi,

Why not just order a new one, the hexagon bolt number 63121387026 original part, price 3.42 EUR. No big money. Search at internet for BMW 63121387026, and you will find plenty of places selling this, including BMW.

Search found 150 matches