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Thread: Z4 Quagmire Car

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    E30 E38 E46 E85 F150 GTI

    Z4 Quagmire Car

    It should have been painfully apparent to me that this car was not worth saving, but hey, the gauntlet was thrown, the challenge accepted. It's do or die time.














    I hate when the one "before" picture is blurry, sorry about that.



    - - - Updated - - -

    PO was a slob. Also had a dog and smoked Marlboro menthols. Did I mention he was a slob?




    Lil better.



    Last edited by clarkitect; 08-25-2021 at 09:11 AM.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  2. #2
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    First order of business, other than some thorough cleaning, is to get this thing running correctly. Car would barely run. Intake air boot was totally cracked, and the DISA valve was toast.





    Pulled the intake to replace CCV and anything that could be a vacuum leak.












    Replaced gaskets, hoses, O-rings, cleaned injectors, replaced the hot air intake with OEM. Car is still running poorly, backfiring through intake. I have a thread on the General Mechanical forum with some guys chiming in with some advice. Hopefully get it sorted soon.

    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  3. #3
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    Did you replace CCV and associated hoses when you had the intake off?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
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    2004 Z4R 06&12 Cooper S
    Pull the codes with a BMW specific reader to determine backfiring causes.
    04R 3l 6 sp VF SC, custom ducting, alphaN, 2.62 pulley, multiport WMI,Severn Tuning(Pokeybritches), Tial BPV,Ceramic header, magnaflow section 1, SS race muffler/y-pipe, megan mounts,42 design catch can, CDV delete ,custom strut bar,3.91 LSD, H&R bars, Hotchkis links.Eibach Pro Kit,Koni Yellows.Megan camber arms. Carbon interior,SSK,UUC lines.CF aero. Poly bushings.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clearancediver View Post
    Did you replace CCV and associated hoses when you had the intake off?

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yup all that and then some to try to address any vacuum leaks.

    Quote Originally Posted by dbarton62 View Post
    Pull the codes with a BMW specific reader to determine backfiring causes.
    Reading codes with INPA and PA Soft. Currently only have two codes: 2745 misfire cylinder 6 and 2774 engine cutoff time. Plugs are new. I need to swap the coils to see if that changes the misfire but I think the misfiring/backfiring is related to something causing an overly lean condition. Removing the intake and all that was attempting to remove potential vacuum leaks from the scenario, but to prove that I have done that I'll need to do a smoke test which involves me taking it somewhere to get smoke tested, or purchasing/fabricating a smoke test gizmo.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  6. #6
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    Minor disassembly for cleaning purposes and ultimately repair some of the body damage.








    A rat's nest in the drivers side rocker panel where the cover was off and hole plugs missing.






    OMG




    All this schizz under the windshield cowl.




    Let me pull the cabin air filter....






    Removed all these underplastics and power washed everything a couple of times. Getting there.



    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  7. #7
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    Will get this POS running if it kills me. But still screwing around with other stuff.

    Brakes need work. Figured if I got the car running, brakes are important, so that was justified, in my mind.

    MMM. Espresso.



    Calipers kinda nasty. But to be fair, seemed to operate OK.




    Broken bleeder. Removed by tapping in a small torx socket and unscrewing it after an extended soaking in PB Blaster.




    Cleaned, painted, rebuilt. Debated getting some red caliper paint, but had half a can of silver from the E30 project, so went with that.




    Will be installed with new rubber lines. Pads and rotors are pretty well shot too, but have enough life for the 100 miles or so I will (hopefully) drive the car this fall before I replace them or unload this thing most certainly at a loss.


    Front bumper was trashed. Found a matching Titansilber one on FB for $150. What a coup!






    Also: Those headlights! All broken tabs, missing back covers, totally grody inside and out. These are better, some OEM Hellas. I think the silver will go well with the shades of gray color scheme of the car.




    Oh back to the matter at hand, I think I will need to do a smoke test on the intake to see if I have taken care of all the vacuum leaks. Also a fuel pressure test. Debating buying these tools or just driving it up the street to my mechanic and leaning on him for a change. Wish I had another BMW guy around here.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  8. #8
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    2007 Z4 M Coupe
    Hey Clark! Moving from e38 to e85?! Nice progress bud!
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ruskii View Post
    Hey Clark! Moving from e38 to e85?! Nice progress bud!
    Hey Ruskii, long time no see! I still have the E38. Boy I wish I had flipped it and bought yours when you had it for sale, it was a nice one.

    This thing is just something I thought I could not live without. Like every other BMW we have haha. Thanks for the kind words!
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    Hey Ruskii, long time no see! I still have the E38. Boy I wish I had flipped it and bought yours when you had it for sale, it was a nice one.

    This thing is just something I thought I could not live without. Like every other BMW we have haha. Thanks for the kind words!
    Thanks, it was a nice sled indeed. But, life demands sacrifices... and now I've got a project Z4MC that I am reviving.

    Subbing and looking forward to more progress!
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  11. #11
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    Well, made more progress this weekend. The wife seemed less than satisfied with the amount of garage time I put in. But I had to get this thing back together and make it so I can at least drive it in limp mode until I sort the misfires. Anyway.

    Brakes and clutch flushed and ready to go. Well, still need pads and rotors but that's for later. This thing is super handy to bleed the brakes.




    Does everything have to be fubar'd? Headlight wiring messed up, connectors totally corroded.






    Old headlights. Yeesh.




    Sourced a couple E38 headlight plugs. Good thing because the old plugs had six wires, new headlights had seven pins. E38 plugs had 8 wires. Found I had to use one spare to light the marker light on the side of the headlight.

    Soldered all the connectors, replacing pieces of wire with matching gauge wire. Did not worry about matching colors, just fastidious about the connections, heat shrink, etc.

    New (used) nice and clean.




    In and out with these things to test fit.




    Starting to look like a car again.





    Oh, and I had installed a new door, found that the wiring harness NATCH had changed between the years. Thank God I hadn't tossed the old door. Needed to swap out the window regulator and door harness. Early model motor had only two connections, later model (I assume) had a six pin connector with 5 connections.






    Discovered as I was connecting the door panel to install it. Needless to say, I was no pleased. Couple hours later it was done. Gotta get the car out of the garage for some pics. Looking forward to seeing the cosmetic improvements. Then back on the motor, then the steering and all the other dash lights.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  12. #12
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    Managed to get this jalopy out of the garage for a few minutes last night. Drove it around the block a few times. Need to re-bleed the brakes because they are spongy, and it is missing the rear muffler so my neighbors hate me. Had to drive with the MAF unplugged. But it fed my soul to see the aesthetic improvements. As we said in architecture school, if it looks good, it is good.




















    There's def room for improvement.








    Pretty good for where it was.

    Back inside.

    Last edited by clarkitect; 09-08-2021 at 07:22 AM.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  13. #13
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    Quite a turnaround - good work!

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker View Post
    Quite a turnaround - good work!
    Thanks man! Sometimes I feel like Sisyphus, like when I pulled it out the garage last night to work on the E46. Windows would not operate and radio said "disabled". WTF. I disconnected the battery for a few mins, nothing. Checked fuse 8, it was fine. Pulled the door control module and looked at it. Tried again. Windows and radio work fine now. Must be a wiring issue. Will take a wait and see approach with this one.

    Anyway, a critical component of this project is a roundel.

    Last edited by clarkitect; 09-15-2021 at 09:00 AM.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  15. #15
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    '08 Z4 3.0 Si (E85)
    Very cool project! My '08 wasn't in that bad of shape, but still a project.

  16. #16
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    2007 Z4 M Coupe
    Any updates?
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by mothy5000 View Post
    Very cool project! My '08 wasn't in that bad of shape, but still a project.
    Thank you! This one is still pretty bad sadly!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ruskii View Post
    Any updates?
    Nothing positive. Windows stopped working. Radio says "disabled" now. Car still is not running correctly after re-doing the CCV system again. URO parts would not seal properly so purchased BMW parts. Smoke testing the intake and it is solid, no leaks.




    Car is still backfiring at idle with the MAF plugged in. Runs fine with it unplugged. INPA indicating a lean condition, which is consistent with the symptoms. Fuel pressure is at 50psi at idle, so I would think it should run OK.



    Next step is to remove the injectors again and send out for cleaning, but have not gotten around to it. Consumed by this next project at the moment (warning non-BMW content ahead).









    Why do I buy such crap?? Gotta get this project done then back to the Z4 for the winter I guess. E38 engine swap on hold too.

    How's your Z coming along? Ever find the wiring diagrams? I was looking at the WDS and can't see how that is giving enough information to figure anything out.
    Last edited by clarkitect; 11-02-2021 at 07:45 AM.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  18. #18
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    I had a similar problem with an M54.... ironically, it was an E85 Z4 as well

    It ended up that the previous owner ingested some water and cylinder 6 had a slightly bent rod. It still ran (quite well, actually) but had a persistent misfire code on that cylinder. Verified by pulling plugs and dropping a flag into the cylinder and measuring how much it protruded.


    The WDS should give just about everything you need... the Z4 also has those diagrams on TIS which are a little easier to search for. Anything in particular you guys are looking for?

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker View Post
    I had a similar problem with an M54.... ironically, it was an E85 Z4 as well

    It ended up that the previous owner ingested some water and cylinder 6 had a slightly bent rod. It still ran (quite well, actually) but had a persistent misfire code on that cylinder. Verified by pulling plugs and dropping a flag into the cylinder and measuring how much it protruded.


    The WDS should give just about everything you need... the Z4 also has those diagrams on TIS which are a little easier to search for. Anything in particular you guys are looking for?
    Wow that was something figuring that issue out.

    Mine is giving the multiple cylinder misfire code. Been driving a bit with the MAF unplugged but it runs odd like that.

    PO could have done a lot with this car it was pretty soaked and practically abandoned when I got it. For wiring I need to figure out a lot of crap, probably all related to water instrusion, maybe bad GM, corroded connectors, stuff not working. But an example of something I need to sort is this jumper in the underhood Ebox.







    I need find a TIS download. Really miss the newtis.info site.

    The Ford is much simpler although it is like assembling an erector set the way it is cobbled together from various odd steel stampings.
    Last edited by clarkitect; 11-03-2021 at 12:29 PM.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  20. #20
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    Yup, got my wires all fixed up! It was a pain BUT I have to tip my hat to the Germans = they have the wires numbered by each connector/plug! It was a matter of getting proper gauge wires (12, 16, 18), tracing each factory wire to the stubs (e.g. yellow 669) and then matching numbers together from the opposite stub. I didn't have to reference wiring diagrams after all.

    Spark plugs:
    IMG_E6014.jpg
    IMG_6103.jpg


    O2 sensors:
    IMG_6107.jpg
    IMG_6136.jpgIMG_E6179.jpg

    Some pictures come out sides ways
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  21. #21
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    Nice work there Ruskii! Boy those mice were hungry.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    Nice work there Ruskii! Boy those mice were hungry.
    Those were hungry squirrels… and thanks!

    How long did your car sit? How was the fuel? I am concerned that I may need to drop my fuel tank and clean it after 7 years of sitting
    Last edited by Ruskii; 11-08-2021 at 03:51 PM. Reason: Phone’s auto-fill mistakes
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  23. #23
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    Well done! Looking good. And ... since you called it a quagmire car, i'll add "Aawwwww-riiiight!"
    Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by CoconutPete View Post
    Well done! Looking good. And ... since you called it a quagmire car, i'll add "Aawwwww-riiiight!"
    Giggity!
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  25. #25
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    Well it's been a long winter. Spent plenty of time doing things that did not make the car run better.

    Driver's seat was crap. Out it came again.






    Bolster foam cracks so the steel rods poke through.



    Fixed with spray adhesive and added a layer of foam because I don't know.




    Installed ebay sourced used black covers. A little wrinkly but should settle down with time.





    I bought passenger side seat bottom with foam figuring the leather would be in better shape, not thinking about the fact that they are different. Oh well. Seems fine.




    So top tip - if your blinkers don't make clicky noise, windows and radio don't work, it's time to yank the console and take a look at this mess at the airbag module.
    A few of the pins in the module were corroded away, and the body connector was falling apart.








    Took the module apart and had a local electronics repair shop install new pins. Looked new when I reinstalled. In the meantime, discovered that this door harness had the connector I needed to repair the ABS body harness. What luck! I knew there was a reason I hold onto this stuff.








    Put it back together with some EPDM roofing rubber over it to protect in the event of a sudden rainstorm or some other liquid induced chaos.

    Changed the cheapo stock shift know with ZHP bought for $40.




    This thing was cracked and chipped. Painted with Seynor Cast Blast for nearly exact match.






    New windshield and trim.




    Looking better.






    Hello Kitty likes the ride.

    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

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