Search found 266 matches

by dazthephot
Thu 13 Feb, 2020 14:25
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Oil selection.
Replies: 10
Views: 5765

Re: Oil selection.

Excellent, thank you.
by dazthephot
Wed 12 Feb, 2020 09:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Oil selection.
Replies: 10
Views: 5765

Re: Oil selection.

Gazza wrote:Look for LLO4
Nice one [emoji106]


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by dazthephot
Tue 11 Feb, 2020 18:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Oil selection.
Replies: 10
Views: 5765

Re: Oil selection.

Gazza wrote:I’m not a brand specific person when it comes to oil.
If it meets the required spec then it’s ok with me.
I’ve seen various extra letters when looking for oil but have no idea what they mean. What’s the required spec for ours?


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by dazthephot
Tue 11 Feb, 2020 18:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Eurocarparts
Replies: 6
Views: 4341

Re: Eurocarparts

I’ve found oils cheaper than ECP (even with their discount) on eBay Many manufacturers spec their oil, so just looking for 5w/30 isn’t enough. Something that im learning about having wondered about the Dexos 2 that was put in my 320D However my thoughts were about today’s oils being made to a highe...
by dazthephot
Mon 10 Feb, 2020 12:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Oil selection.
Replies: 10
Views: 5765

Oil selection.

This is a divisive topic I know so I’ll keep it light. How different are oils these days? If I put fully synth 5w30 in instead of 5w40 if I buy a brand like Triple QX instead of Castrol what problems will I cause? As I understand it in the most simplistic terms the 5 bit affects cold starting and th...
by dazthephot
Mon 10 Feb, 2020 12:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Eurocarparts
Replies: 6
Views: 4341

Re: Eurocarparts

wonderloaf wrote:Carparts4less is online only, whereas Euro Car Parts have stores so you can click'n'collect, maybe that's why carparts4less is cheaper?
That makes sense. Cheers


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by dazthephot
Sun 09 Feb, 2020 13:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Eurocarparts
Replies: 6
Views: 4341

Eurocarparts

Here’s something that I didn’t know. It looks like Eurocarparts and Carparts4less are the same company but one is always cheaper than the other at different times. It’s worth checking and pricing the two off each other. Also if you’re looking for non specific things like engine oil if you don’t put ...
by dazthephot
Tue 04 Feb, 2020 13:49
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Calliper sliding bolts
Replies: 3
Views: 2827

Re: Calliper sliding bolts

Thanks LaRy
by dazthephot
Fri 24 Jan, 2020 20:13
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Calliper sliding bolts
Replies: 3
Views: 2827

Re: Calliper sliding bolts

Scratch that I’ll answer my own post. Silicon grease is supplied in the repair kit so my high temp grease should be fine for a while.


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by dazthephot
Fri 24 Jan, 2020 20:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Basic information for home maintenance ?
Replies: 9
Views: 4869

Re: Basic information for home maintenance ?

The Bentley manuals are more technical and considered the bibles of car maintenance. The Haynes ones aren’t too bad albeit a bit simplistic and general in certain areas especially when it comes to different engine types. I have one for mine but it’s the wrong year, my car is a 1999 but the manual is...
by dazthephot
Fri 24 Jan, 2020 13:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Basic information for home maintenance ?
Replies: 9
Views: 4869

Re: Basic information for home maintenance ?

A great source of reference is the realoem site plus you could get yourself a Bentley service manual. Stick your chassis number into the realoem website for oem part numbers for reference if you need.


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by dazthephot
Fri 24 Jan, 2020 13:15
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Calliper sliding bolts
Replies: 3
Views: 2827

Calliper sliding bolts

What’s the school of thought here? I’ve been dealing with a seized brake piston (OSF) and also old stuck slider bolts. I’ve managed to free off the piston and I’ve cleaned and lubed the slider bolts with some high temp grease. It didn’t look like the slider bolts had had any grease on them and the r...
by dazthephot
Sat 18 Jan, 2020 21:24
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emulsion Removal
Replies: 10
Views: 4935

Re: Emulsion Removal

Nobody has mentioned 'thermostat'. They are often the cause of sludge on the oil filler cap. Is the temp gauge getting to the normal centre position after a couple of miles? If not I would certainly suspect the thermostat. Cheap, easy fix. Well I’ve recently dealt with an airlock in the system to f...
by dazthephot
Wed 15 Jan, 2020 21:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emulsion Removal
Replies: 10
Views: 4935

Re: Emulsion Removal

A coolant pressure tester is a good tool. There is a tool that works in reverse (it creates a "vacuum") and is used to fill the system. It can also test for leaks, but isn't as good a tester. Ah right thanks I’ll look out for one. I did change the crankcase water hose union and there’s a ...
by dazthephot
Wed 15 Jan, 2020 21:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emulsion Removal
Replies: 10
Views: 4935

Re: Emulsion Removal

Fender2004 wrote:You could always go for a long drive when you have time and see if it makes a difference?
It does need a good long run for sure. I mean it does run perfectly fine which is why I’m not overly worried


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by dazthephot
Tue 14 Jan, 2020 22:54
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emulsion Removal
Replies: 10
Views: 4935

Re: Emulsion Removal

I don’t see any oily film in the coolant, I flushed it last summer and didn’t notice anything untoward. There’s no emulsion on the oil filler cap I just shined a torch inside to see what looks like emulsion film. There’s steam from the exhaust at start up then soon clears. Perhaps I should buy a kit...
by dazthephot
Tue 14 Jan, 2020 14:56
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emulsion Removal
Replies: 10
Views: 4935

Re: Emulsion Removal

Hi Robert, yes it lives outside. Sacrilege i know but it needs to be a daily driver now and i think is better for it. To be honest i didn't consider outside life as a factor in the emulsion build up having read threads on this subject but i guess it could well be given the utterly crap weather we ha...
by dazthephot
Tue 14 Jan, 2020 11:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emulsion Removal
Replies: 10
Views: 4935

Emulsion Removal

Hi all, I get a fair bit of emulsion build up due to the fact the car is only doing very short journeys twice a day, 10 miles in the morning and 10 miles back in the evening. It isn't getting hot enough to burn moisture from the oil so i see emulsion in the dipstick. I assume it's in the sump too an...
by dazthephot
Thu 19 Dec, 2019 21:25
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Steering wheel squeak
Replies: 5
Views: 2907

Re: Steering wheel squeak

Thanks [emoji120]


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by dazthephot
Wed 18 Dec, 2019 13:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Steering wheel squeak
Replies: 5
Views: 2907

Re: Steering wheel squeak

Come to think about it i did remove the airbag unit when i changed the centre piece bottom half...hmmm
mrscalex wrote: Wed 18 Dec, 2019 11:31 You need to find out where it's coming from. If it's really the steering wheel not the steering column it will most likely be the airbag slip ring.
by dazthephot
Wed 18 Dec, 2019 13:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Steering wheel squeak
Replies: 5
Views: 2907

Re: Steering wheel squeak

Ok thank you. I will do some checking this winter break, It does sound like an internal noise though on first glance.
by dazthephot
Wed 18 Dec, 2019 10:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Steering wheel squeak
Replies: 5
Views: 2907

Steering wheel squeak

Well it’s more of a scrape than a squeak. I’ve heard of people lithium lubing the column joints near the firewall. Any recommendations?


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by dazthephot
Wed 14 Aug, 2019 16:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS Sensor readings
Replies: 12
Views: 5468

Re: ABS Sensor readings

https://i.imgur.com/5uE1HOL.jpg Attaching a picture showing the ABS and ACS relays including text in my fuse box. Thanks LaRy, a bit different to mine. When I say lights I mean dashboard warning lights. It’s raining today and low and behold the lights have come back on. They went off in the dry. ht...
by dazthephot
Tue 13 Aug, 2019 21:43
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS Sensor readings
Replies: 12
Views: 5468

Re: ABS Sensor readings

My opinion, as long as you buy a sensor manufactured by Hella, Bosch or ATE it will work. I have replaced my front wheel sensor, using an ATE, no problem. Hmm well in that case I can get a new Hella one for about £30. Worth a punt maybe? Bizarre the bloody lights have gone off again. I’ll be honest...
by dazthephot
Mon 12 Aug, 2019 09:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS Sensor readings
Replies: 12
Views: 5468

Re: ABS Sensor readings

pingu wrote:Get a salvage BMW one rather than a new copy.
Thanks I will see if I can get one, there’s quite a few breakers around the internet. Depends on price saving though over a new one. Big breakers give a short warranty though which is good.


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by dazthephot
Mon 12 Aug, 2019 09:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS Sensor readings
Replies: 12
Views: 5468

Re: ABS Sensor readings

I think the sensor showing 1.8kOhm is suspect. Normally it should be around 1 kOhm as you have for the others. If you have a ACS/ABS system type Teves Mk IV, the alarm triggering level is set to 2 kOhm. Another thing you should take in consideration is that the accuracy for multimeters in low ohm a...
by dazthephot
Sun 11 Aug, 2019 21:42
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS Sensor readings
Replies: 12
Views: 5468

Re: ABS Sensor readings

Set your multimeter to AC Volts (auto range) and spin the wheels, you should get a voltage from good sensors. Ok thanks. It’s a right PITA like to access the sensor socket when the wheel is still on plus the pins are male and you can’t get the multimeter probes in. I used a bit of wire on one pin t...
by dazthephot
Sun 11 Aug, 2019 15:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS Sensor readings
Replies: 12
Views: 5468

ABS Sensor readings

Hi all. I have yet to buy a code reader so I thought I’d do it old school to see if I have a faulty abs sensor. Trouble is I don’t know what the acceptable range is. I have approx 1.1k ohms on all but the near side rear which is 1.8k ohms. So is that the suspect one that needs changing or do I need ...
by dazthephot
Sat 03 Aug, 2019 17:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

colb wrote:Yes no E36 listed in the description but it works, quite impressed with mine on my 1.9.
Would it pin point which abs sensor was duff? If indeed that was my problem.


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by dazthephot
Fri 02 Aug, 2019 17:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

No one has mentioned BMW Scanner that is available on ebay, MrScalex on here reccomended it and I got one to try it out. It connects to the car and laptop using the round to 16pin cable and usb to laptop. So easy to use less faf than using INPA. Have used it on a few Z's and my mates 325i. Clears c...
by dazthephot
Fri 02 Aug, 2019 08:09
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

To spin the wheel is a very good test, the voltage will just be maybe 0.25- 0.5 volt AC, depends on the tester. As mentioned, check the resistance, I think it should be approximately 1 kOhm. Anyway, the resistance should be almost equal for all four sensors. Be careful when opening the sensor conne...
by dazthephot
Thu 01 Aug, 2019 21:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

Unfortunately I have had the experience of ABS/ACS problems and solved it by reading and learning how it works. In this Z3 early generation of modern electronics, you can not trust in the fault code. I had actually exactly as you mentioned, left front wheel, but that was false information. It can b...
by dazthephot
Thu 01 Aug, 2019 21:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

Ignore the OBDII one. It is only connected to the engine module. The round 20-pin connector under the bonnet is connected to all modules. It seems that the car's electronics are OBDII compliant, just with a proprietary connector. Note that earlier cars are not and require a serial interface to conn...
by dazthephot
Thu 01 Aug, 2019 12:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

I use INPA and find it very good. If I was to buy a scanner, it would be the Foxwell NT520 with BMW software. Covers the Z3's and does all computers. Thank you. The odd thing is that my car has both test points, engine bay (round one OBD1 maybe) and cabin rectangle one (OBD2 maybe). What happens th...
by dazthephot
Thu 01 Aug, 2019 12:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

mrscalex wrote: Wed 31 Jul, 2019 18:53 Never seen that post before. I think I’ve just got over excited. Will certainly be trying that out :)
What if your car has both test points? OBD in the cabin and the round one in the engine bay? Am i right in thinking the engine bay is OBD1 and the cabin is OBD2?
by dazthephot
Thu 01 Aug, 2019 12:49
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

Unfortunately I have had the experience of ABS/ACS problems and solved it by reading and learning how it works. In this Z3 early generation of modern electronics, you can not trust in the fault code. I had actually exactly as you mentioned, left front wheel, but that was false information. It can b...
by dazthephot
Thu 01 Aug, 2019 12:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Re: Diagnostic tools

I have an old XP laptop (dating from around 2000) with a serial (RS232) input/output port (£75 from eBay). and 12v charger to allow the computer to run when the car is being tested. 20 year old batteries are not very reliable :). Windows XP (do not connect to the internet unless you want to get a v...
by dazthephot
Wed 31 Jul, 2019 16:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic tools
Replies: 36
Views: 22470

Diagnostic tools

Hi guys What are you using for diagnostics? I have a peake research tool which is fine for resetting oil and inspection plus clearing faults but not much good for pin pointing. I have the ABS/ASC lights on and rather than guess I wanted to actually have a proper pinpoint code. Hopefully one that say...
by dazthephot
Sat 20 Jul, 2019 18:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: Baked on brake dust

As Bentley-boy said: Cheap oven cleaner from the pound shop, works great! I've tested, yes, it works great. Maybe not a method you use every time, bit if the dirt is hard and old, it is great. The difference is that you really have to use car shampoo to take away the oven cleaner including the dirt...
by dazthephot
Sat 20 Jul, 2019 18:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: Baked on brake dust

Please report your findings Dazthephot :) It simply did nothing to remove the stains on the wheels. I did exactly as the instructions said but unfortunately to no effect. I’ve scrubbed these wheels to within an inch of their lives and still have the same dark streaked stains. I’ll post a picture la...
by dazthephot
Sun 07 Jul, 2019 17:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: Baked on brake dust

Quick product review. Wonder wheels is useless. Time for the bilt hamber.


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by dazthephot
Fri 05 Jul, 2019 20:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: Baked on brake dust

Oooh nice, very nice [emoji106]


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by dazthephot
Fri 05 Jul, 2019 08:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: Baked on brake dust

motco wrote:Bilt Hamber Autowheel https://www.bilthamber.com/auto-wheel is brilliant! Spray it on, wait until it's purple, hose it off. Done.

Image
That’s a nice wheel. Not a Zed wheel though???


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by dazthephot
Fri 05 Jul, 2019 08:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: Baked on brake dust

Ah thanks guys much appreciated. As for oven cleaner who’d have thought!!! It seems that most of the valeters use wonder wheels but only if they have to. I thought it was just another consumer product that didn’t work. I’ll try your suggestions first though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
by dazthephot
Tue 02 Jul, 2019 21:54
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Baked on brake dust
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Baked on brake dust

I’ve tried the normal off the shelf Halfords cleaners but my wheels are in a terrible state. I’m keen to avoid a full refurb of each wheel until I’ve tried something proper.

So are there any cleaners that actually work?


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by dazthephot
Sun 02 Jun, 2019 20:54
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Too far gone?
Replies: 9
Views: 3961

Re: Too far gone?

Thank you andyboy


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by dazthephot
Tue 28 May, 2019 09:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Too far gone?
Replies: 9
Views: 3961

Re: Too far gone?

Thank you Finally when ready for the paint, I have an advice I read somewhere. I knows it is making a very good result: First a layer of primer, or two. Spray with the color until slightly wet, wait 5 minutes, yes, really check the time. Next layer after 5 minutes. Continue like that until you have ...
by dazthephot
Mon 27 May, 2019 11:16
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Too far gone?
Replies: 9
Views: 3961

Re: Too far gone?

Thanks guys much appreciated. You’re right of course nothing ventured and all that.


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by dazthephot
Thu 23 May, 2019 20:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Too far gone?
Replies: 9
Views: 3961

Re: Too far gone?

Ah right. Thanks for the advice.


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by dazthephot
Thu 23 May, 2019 19:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Too far gone?
Replies: 9
Views: 3961

Too far gone?

Hi all. I watch programmes like CAR SOS and am amazed at what they can do with rusted panels. What do you think of this, is it too far? It’s the NSF lower panel. A new copy panel is £99 plus painting so I guess £300. The ones on eBay look rusty and marked. Should I take it to a body shop or buy new?...