1.9 m44 Loud Induction Noise

[Euanneill]

Hello all I have joined this forum for my love of the Z3 but also on a more annoying note nobody seems to know what is wrong with my 1997 1.9.
It started to lose power and as it it lost power the induction got louder and louder until it eventually was bogging down anytime I gave it over 10% throttle (basically limp mode)

I have had a couple of mechanics to have a look but they are stumped as to what it could be. It is running on all cylinders and the air filter is all good.

If anyone has any ideas or experience with this problem I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for reading.

 

[t-tony]

Have you checked all the induction rubber boots for splits?

Tony.

 

[Euanneill]

Have you checked all the induction rubber boots for splits?

Tony.

Hi Tony thanks for your reply, yes I have checked all the rubber hosing, I have just broken down trying to get home, I have noticed a higher fuel consumption and I strong petrol smell recently would the engine be getting too much fuel maybe.
That doesn’t really explain the induction noise though.

 

[t-tony]

Another possibility is the Cat could have broken up inside and blocked the exhaust. I've seen it before on various makes and you get these symptoms.

Tony.

 

[Euanneill]

Another possibility is the Cat could have broken up inside and blocked the exhaust. I've seen it before on various makes and you get these symptoms.

Tony.

Do you think that would cause a fuel smell ? I feel like it’s running too rich.

 

[t-tony]

Yes it will. Try getting someone to rev the engine, as much as it will, and see how much pressure there is at the tail pipe.

Tony.

 

[Euanneill]

Yes it will. Try getting someone to rev the engine, as much as it will, and see how much pressure there is at the tail pipe.

Tony.

I would love to but she won’t start anymore and I’m 70 miles away from home.

 

[t-tony]

Where is the car located?

Tony.

 

[colb]

Best plug a code reader in and see if its set any codes as first step.
The symptoms you describe would certainly fit the cause being a vaccum leak, unmetered air getting in will cause the engine management to increase the fuel at the injectors to correct what it sees as a lean mixture at the exhaust sensors. It will add up to 20% more fuel as it tries to correct the issue it sees then gives up and sets the ML on the dash. Disconnect the electrical connection to the Maf doing that the car will run on default settings, try that and see if it starts. As the others suggest it could be a blocked Cat, try what @t-tony suggestion of checking the tailpipe pressure if you can get it started.

 

[Euanneill]

Best plug a code reader in and see if its set any codes as first step.
The symptoms you describe would certainly fit the cause being a vaccum leak, unmetered air getting in will cause the engine management to increase the fuel at the injectors to correct what it sees as a lean mixture at the exhaust sensors. It will add up to 20% more fuel as it tries to correct the issue it sees then gives up and sets the ML on the dash. Disconnect the electrical connection to the Maf doing that the car will run on default settings, try that and see if it starts. As the others suggest it could be a blocked Cat, try what @t-tony suggestion of checking the tailpipe pressure if you can get it started.

I disconnected the MAS didn’t help at all, it seems to be running very rich as there is strong petrol fumes coming out of the exhaust.

 

[Euanneill]

Where is the car located?

Tony.

Hi Tony I am located in Northern Ireland.

 

[colb]

duplicated post for deletion

 

[Euanneill]

duplicated post for deletion

??

 

[Shelly]

 

[Euanneill]

Another possibility is the Cat could have broken up inside and blocked the exhaust. I've seen it before on various makes and you get these symptoms.

Tony.

Hi Tony just thought I would update you, the AA man said the same as you and he thinks it’s a cat problem.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi sorry to read about your issues I know a guy a few miles from me with a zed 3 and it had been losing power became non start .
I scratched my head as to what was wrong for a bit as no warning lights on and no fault codes.
I had established it was getting fuel spark etc.
Noticed on crank seemed to be little emitted from the rear exhaust.
I took the lambda sensor out and it started and would try idle.
Split the exhaust at centre joint found bits of cat in small middle box turned out cat has self destructed and blocked the exhaust to the extent it wouldn't start.
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

Did you run it with the exhaust split Steve, that's the teller. Noisy, but at least you know.

Tony.

 

[Euanneill]

Hi sorry to read about your issues I know a guy a few miles from me with a zed 3 and it had been losing power became non start .
I scratched my head as to what was wrong for a bit as no warning lights on and no fault codes.
I had established it was getting fuel spark etc.
Noticed on crank seemed to be little emitted from the rear exhaust.
I took the lambda sensor out and it started and would try idle.
Split the exhaust at centre joint found bits of cat in small middle box turned out cat has self destructed and blocked the exhaust to the extent it wouldn't start.
Stephen.

Yes this was it, thank you guys so much for the amazing response I really appreciate all of your feedback. A great towing company were confident it was the cat and decided instead of driving 130 mile round trip they would take the exhaust apart and see if it was the cat. It was so we drilled a hole through the cat and she started right up. Temporary solution but going to get it looked at soon. Running better than ever might I add.

 

[Mint]

Hi and from me too in Stafford. Glad you got your problem sorted

 

[Mr H]