New day new problem :(

Blueberry

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2024
Points
23
Location
Derby
Model of Z
1.9
Hey Zed's!

I'm after a bit of help.

My Zed went in for a new radiator as she was leaking a fair amount. At the same time, the rocker cover gasket was replaced.
The radiator is fixed, and there are no more coolant leaks. We do have minor oil leaks from the timing chain covers and from around the sump, these can wait for another day.

However...in the process, they have managed to do the following:

One of the rocker cover bolts thread was stripped, they have fitted a bigger bolt. They are saying the bolt was like this before they started work. Who knows.

After 5 miles driving, I get an engine light up, I take it back for diagnosis and they have give me the below codes.

00007D Digital Motor Electronics (DME), catalytic converter upstream oxygen sensor signal
00008D Digital Motor Electronics (DME), oxygen sensor control, control limit
0000AB Digital Motor Electronics (DME),check fuel supply system

They are also saying it has a slight misfire.

My issue is it didn't go into the garage with these issues.

I'm waiting for my 310+ to turn up so I can start to take a little more control of these issues.

Any advice is welcome.

Ta
A
 

John_B

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 2, 2023
Points
114
Location
Derbyshire, UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 pre-facelift (Izzy)
Hi Alan,

As you know, I'm no mechanic! But just thinking about those codes logically it seems to me like it's saying there is either too much or too little air in the exhaust upstream of the cat. I just searched for those error codes and found a couple of threads it might be worth reading through - both relating to the same 1.9 motor you have in your car:



Again - I'm no expert!!, I can't stress this enough 😅 - but I'd be looking at the air intake and MAF to see if something was dislodged/broken/not connected when they rebuilt the intake manifold after doing your rocker cover gasket.

I have a known good MAF you'd be welcome to try out, although I don't want to encourage you to just start throwing parts at it
 

Blueberry

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2024
Points
23
Location
Derby
Model of Z
1.9
Thanks John, they are super helapful and similar to what I have read elsewhere. The garage is pushing for another (paid) diagnosis and an oxygen sensor. My feeling is they haven't put it back together properly after the rad replacement and donlt really know what they are doing.

I'll share this info and see how I get on.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Its most likely an air leak hence the high fuel trims and its reached its maximum correction and switched the EML on.
Ensure the cam cover is tighten down correctly, bad seal on that can leak oil as you know but also allow air in. Smoke test should find any leaks you cant find. The Exhaust sensor code is as a result of the air leak I would think. Best avoid this Garage if that's the level of service you are getting. Your not far from @t-tony and his Zedshed near Lincoln sure to be able to diagnose and solve your problem.
 

Andyboy

Zorg Guru (II)
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Points
119
Location
SHEFFIELD
It's only an M43TU so god knows how they cocked that up.

The stripped thread (seemingly always in the front timing cover) is common and due to beasts over tightening the shouldered bolts. I reckon it's an air leak, The PCV system in these is laughably simple, just a hose from the cam cover across to the little circular valve. This has a vent hole - block it with some chewing gum, plasticine etc and you may find the car runs better. Fitting a new valve is quite simple. Also check for splits in the PCV hoses as well as the intake boot. With the engine idling, spray brake cleaner around the hoses, intake boot and all around the cam cover gasket - maybe it's not seated correctly, especially around the back.
 

Blueberry

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2024
Points
23
Location
Derby
Model of Z
1.9
Thanks for you help guys, I shared this info and together we isolated the hose they had left off. 🤦🏻‍♂️ the hose is perishing, i’ve cable tied it for now. It looks like it has been cut at some point. Worth replacing now? @Z Victor 1Has recommended a specialist near me, i’ll be in touch with them soon.

Thanks again, really appreciated.
IMG_4250.jpeg
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
208
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Yes replace the hose they are bad for splitting the intake hoses on the 4pot engines
Down side is that hose dealer only and around 40 quid but worth it to make car run right.
If looks cut was probably already split at end someone cut and shortened to fix but only temp measure.

Stephen.
 
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