New To the Z

**mutty** · 05-11-2019, 06:59 PM

Bought myself a 1997 1.9 5-speed manual transmission Z3 as a non-running project. Body is rust, ding free. Broken water pump impeller and driver side floor is water filled. Hopefully I can get it driving.

**amancuso** · 05-14-2019, 08:12 AM

Welcome to the forum! You'll find lots of info here, and don't be afraid to ask for assistance!

**TexaZ3** · 05-14-2019, 01:32 PM

Welcome! Hopefully this was not overheated, seeing how the WP is toast.

**mutty** · 05-14-2019, 05:44 PM

I would be happy for any/all assistance that the forum provides. Got the water pump and belts from FCP. Hopefully I can remove the drivers seat this weekend and vacuum the floor/carpet properly.

**z3forlife** · 05-14-2019, 11:10 PM

There’s a plastic Y pipe on the back of the head you’ll want to replace while your cooling system is apart probably lines as well. I’m sure the 4 banger guys will offer the most concise info. There was a individual coil pack mod out there to replace the stock coil pack that can fail too

**mutty** · 05-18-2019, 05:02 PM

Installed the water along with the belts this morning but the car would never start. Engine would only turn over very weak. Bought a compression tester at Harbor Freight, one cylinder checked in at 30psi the other three had 0psi. Maybe dead engine?

**BimmerBreaker** · 05-18-2019, 05:21 PM

I would drip a little oil into the cylinders to lubricate the piston rings and help them seal, then compression test again

**magnetchief** · 05-18-2019, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by mutty

Installed the water along with the belts this morning but the car would never start. Engine would only turn over very weak. Bought a compression tester at Harbor Freight, one cylinder checked in at 30psi the other three had 0psi. Maybe dead engine?

That’s a shame.
Purchased a 98 myself with similar issue.
The broken water pump should have given me a clue.

After similar repairs and testing we resigned ourselves I the fact that the cylinder head was damaged from overheating.

Pulled the head and sure enough there were cracks between the valve ports and coolant passages.

Replaced with a good head from a pick and pull.

Worked perfectly after that.

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**mutty** · 05-19-2019, 11:22 AM

Thanks for the "heads up" info. Car would do well for my 160 mile daily commute.
Need to find a head now then?

**Vintage42** · 05-19-2019, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by mutty

Bought myself a 1997 1.9 ... as a non-running project... driver side floor is water filled...

Originally Posted by mutty

... Car would do well for my 160 mile daily commute. Need to find a head now then?

You need to replace the entire cooling system or you could be into yet another head. Once you get the car running, it may not have the reliability to commute that far. Not the fault of the car, but of its history. Who has been under the dash. Alarms and sound systems. Have the electronics under the carpet been damaged. Where are the leaks. Were the windows used a lot. Was the trunk opened and closed a lot. Were the climate control knobs used a lot. I would want access to a standby commuter car.

**mutty** · 05-19-2019, 11:06 PM

Always had more than one car. Old faithful met an unfortunate demise so I need a replacement. Never fearful of "hoopty" as a commuter.

**mutty** · 06-13-2019, 06:31 PM

Bought a 318ti auto just for the engine. Going to tackle this soon. E34 m5 chrome-molly steel flywheel and a Valeo clutch/pressure plate combo. Anything I should whilst the engine is out?
Thanks

**amancuso** · 06-14-2019, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by mutty

Thanks for the "heads up" info. Car would do well for my 160 mile daily commute.
Need to find a head now then?

Hate to tell you, but the 318ti would have been a better, quieter, more comfortable choice for a 160 mile daily commute. Could have simply swapped it to manual and been done with it. ;-)

**mutty** · 06-14-2019, 11:19 PM

318ti was wrecked in the front, clean interior though.

**Potes** · 06-15-2019, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by mutty

Always had more than one car. Old faithful met an unfortunate demise so I need a replacement. Never fearful of "hoopty" as a commuter.

These cars are fun to wrench on. Enjoy your new ride !!

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**amancuso** · 06-15-2019, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by mutty

318ti was wrecked in the front, clean interior though.

Ahhhh

**mutty** · 06-15-2019, 12:04 PM

Going to part it out. The little Z3 seems to remind me of the e30 318i.Drove like a go-kart. Pure fun.

**mutty** · 06-22-2019, 10:11 AM

Got the clutch/pressure plate/flywheel setup and decided to do a weight check before install; 25lbs. Seems as if it is going to be a 12lb weight loss going from the stock setup to the e34 M5 setup.

**BimmerBreaker** · 06-22-2019, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by amancuso

Hate to tell you, but the 318ti would have been a better, quieter, more comfortable choice for a 160 mile daily commute. Could have simply swapped it to manual and been done with it. ;-)

Idk, maybe more comfortable because its a coupe but its a Z3 underneath... Same suspension and everything

**amancuso** · 06-22-2019, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker

Idk, maybe more comfortable because its a coupe but its a Z3 underneath... Same suspension and everything

Yup. More space more headroom less noise.

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**mutty** · 06-22-2019, 12:11 PM

I do not like the looks of the ti. That little Z seems more appealing. Going to do a COP conversion also using GM heat sink truck coils when it is up and running.

**Naz3** · 06-28-2019, 03:51 PM

Hey Mutty, hope your project goes well, I am looking for a rear diff for my 1.9 z3 i think both the 318 or the Z3 one would work.
Its a small case diff 168mm let me know if you have the part or willing to sell

thank you