Wont go more than 40MPH ?

Geoff Crispin

Geoff Crispin

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Points
145
Location
Somerset
Model of Z
Z3 3.0 & 3.0 sport
A friend has been given by his son a 1997 Z3 1.8 needing a LOT of TLC. It will not go above 40MPH, any suggestions as to what might be wrong before he takes it to a garage this week.
 
Could be low compression on one of the cylinders due to a blown head gasket? Bit of a stab in the dark and with limited knowledge but they can be a bit weak on head gaskets.
 
Any dash warning lights lit ? Sounds like it could be in a limp mode a code read is going to point this one out i suspect it could be many things.
 
Try clearing the codes then taking it for a spin and look at the codes again. As stated above could be compression, really bad fuel, fuel pump, any number of failed sensors, transmission issues, blah blah blah. Let us know how it turns out please!
 
It could be the throttle cable is sticking, they do suffer from that. Try revving it in neutral on the driveway and see if it will rev freely.

Mike
 
As already suggested try to get the codes read before handing it to a garage.

You mentioned in another post that a few friends have Zeds - it may be worth you pooling together and getting a diagnostics package (which includes code reader) e.g. Bdcables. Between you it would be cheap and save you a lot of money vs dealer reading code.
 
Hi Jonco
Yes my nephew has down loaded the BMW diagnostic to a new second hand lap top and he collected a cable and a disc and will down load that and I should have the complete package but he will not be coming to see me until some time in Jan hopefully to re programme the fob and check out the alarm but I will note all the advise given from you all THANKS
 
@Geoff Crispin Just a completely wild thought.. How long had the car been standing ? is it a lumpy idle ? I would say though, get the codes read as that will give you a good idea. But put some fresh fuel in it too.
 
just a thought........i had the same thing when my cat started to break up internally - it was blocking the exhaust. it eventually totally broke up and i couldn't go over 20mph with it coughing and spluttering. a new aftermarket cat sorted the problem.
 
I agree with @pgunter change the fuel for sure along with a new filter to start with especially if the car has been sitting for a while! Give the engine something to work with, you may find that's enough to get it firing properly. Also I'd throw some injector cleaner into the tank while you're there anyway! At the very least it will eliminate two major problems right off the hop! Good luck, JIM
 
Unleaded fuel does have a shelf life. Put some fresh fuel in as said. Also worth checking all the rubber inlet trunking and such for perishing and cracking. So many possibilities.

Tony.
 
McZee3 said:
just a thought........i had the same thing when my cat started to break up internally - it was blocking the exhaust. it eventually totally broke up and i couldn't go over 20mph with it coughing and spluttering. a new aftermarket cat sorted the problem.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the same here. I had a similar issue years ago till it totally blocked then it kept stalling.
 
Hi chaps I do not know the answers to your questions, was hoping to go and see car this week and help check it out but not sure if that will now happen until after Christmas, but I will let you all know
Thanks
 
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Don't think so Martin it went like it when it was being used and kept in garage, but worth checking
 
A couple of simple things things which need a bit more information of how it is not going above 40 mph, the one is mentioned above which is a blocked exhaust, best way to test is to remove the cat and see if the engine revs more freely and smoothly, if it doesn't, then it could be the that the passenger side wheel sensor is knackered, this can put the car into limp mode which restricts the revs the engine can achieve, if the engine will only go to a certain rev range then it is possibly this, but i would get the codes read, as the sensor would show as a fault code. The blockage wont. (Also check the air filter and intake is not blocked)

If you rule the two above out, then you could have a Cam or Crank sensor problem, these affect the timing and will prevent the car achieving any kind of performance, usually these problems are coupled with a car that is hard to start, stalls and or back fires. Main culprit is usually the Cam Sensor, again you will get a fault code.

You could also have a broken plug or plug lead or coil pack, in which case you would have a very rough car that is low on power.

After this, you are then looking at an internal engine problem, bent valve, worn cam etc.

My advice get the codes read, then fault find from there looking at the cheapest options first, remember a fault code only tells you the system that is affected, this narrows it down and you can check parts out in the system.
 
McZee3 said:
just a thought........i had the same thing when my cat started to break up internally - it was blocking the exhaust. it eventually totally broke up and i couldn't go over 20mph with it coughing and spluttering. a new aftermarket cat sorted the problem.
Click to expand...
Scary! It's the first time I hear the cat going into pieces... at what mileage you got this problem? It's good to know.
 
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