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Thread: Starter Replacement BMW Z4 2003 3.0 Roadster Manual Transmission

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Newburgh, IN, USA
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2003 BMW Z4 3.0 Roadster

    Starter Replacement BMW Z4 2003 3.0 Roadster Manual Transmission

    I was having some sluggish starts on my BMW and now it does not start. After checks to batter and alternator determined this to be a starter issue. I was able to start the car by tapping with a wooden stick on the bell housing near the starter several time which turning the ignition. I am now trying to remove the starter on my Z4. Can this be accomplished without removing the air intake manifold? Some seem to have done this without on some models. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Timaru, New Zealand
    Posts
    1,132
    My Cars
    Two Z3 Roadsters
    While replacing a starter motor is a good excuses to take the inlet manifold off and do all the preventive maintenance that the removal allows for, you can remove the starter by going in from the bottom. This is difficult and requires you to reach in and do things in the blind.
    1999 2.8L Z3 Roadster,
    2000 3.0L Z3 Roadster,

    There is only one thing more pleasurable than working on a Z3, that's driving it top down on a fine day.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,933
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    How many miles on the Z? The consensus here and on other bimmer forums is that the cooling system needs to be overhauled at 100k miles. If the car he as more than 150k miles on the clock it’s a really good idea to replace the plastic cooling system pipes under the intake manifold.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    ATLANTA GA
    Posts
    571
    My Cars
    456 X3s
    Of course its your choosing, many will point to removing the starter from the bottomas best. My preference is from the top. This gives me a better understanding of the process and an opportunity to inspect other vital pipes hoses and sensors. But some like working in the blind with extensions...I may try it one day when I have time to compare methods.
    Cheers!

    Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    I would remove the intake manifold and replace the plastic coolant pipes while doing the starter

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    915
    My Cars
    2003 328i
    You can remove the intake duct and throttle body to access it from the top. No need to pull the manifold. No matter which way you go, the job sucks.

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