Project 2006 Z4 - restoration (Enjoy!)

[benneyboy1]

Hi Andy

Thanks for your response to my post as promised heres a few issues that I have identified for you to add to your to check list for your Z4.

1) Engine Fan - After being sat in a traffic jam for 45 minutes one day I noted that the engine temperature guage had redlined (whoops) and immediately switched my engine off to let it cool down. I ended up replacing the engine fan unit and the control module that is attached to it. This was done by my local garage but I am not convinced it was the right diagnosis. As I had already mentioned issue number 2 below to them which they said was linked.
2) Parasitic battery drain - If I leave my car standing for more than 2 days the battery drains down completely my local garage blamed it on the engine fan control unit which I had swapped out but the problem still continued. Its widely reported on the forum that the stereo head unit is a known cause. With everything switched off and left to settle for approx 20 mins I was draining 1 amp across the battery. Pulled the fuses for the stereo head unit and had an immediate drop to 0.5 amp so I have fitted an illuminated kill switch on the power feed to the stereo head unit. I have yet to locate the culprit for the remaining 0.5 amp drain when driving every day its not an issue so when its parked up I have to fit the trickle charger. Just havent had time to pull the other 50 or so fuses!!!!
3) Water under passenger seat - Giving the car a through clean I found a lake under the passenger seat worked out this was caused by a large section of the waterproof membrane coming away from the inside of the door so I had to take all the trim off and repair. Another common Z4 problem.
4) Stereo speakers - My car is only fitted with 6 speakers so only the the tweeters in the top of the door panel and blanking plates in the actual doors so if you like your tunes you may want to upgrade, you can take a feed from the tweeter if you dont have any speakers or feed in your actual door.
5) Roof motor - Fortunately mine works but known to fail due to water ingress caused by blocked drains lots of posts on the forum on this and preferred solution is to relocate into the boot.

That should keep you going for a while if I discover anything else I will let you know. Regards benneyboy1

[andyfanshawe]

Thanks benneyboy1!

Quick update for everybody.
The CAT code P0420 bank 1 sensor 2 code has now gone!! Fuel trims were good at all times but post CAT sensor was all over the place. To save everybody looking back at the story, I found a coil pack in the drivers door pocket when I bought it. So perhaps it failed and wasnt changed for a time and contaminated the CAT. Who knows.
Anyway after 2 doses of CATACLEAN the waveform is flat and perfect! No more CAT codes! Amazing stuff. Type CATACLEAN in google or youtube and read the reviews and the results from testing labs. Incredible.

Anyway, onto the lift we go today to solve this problem...




The drivers front undershield not fitted correctly. In fact it was cracked all over the place behind the wheel on the bit that goes under the floor.
I tried to photograph the damage here



Another crap photo out of focus. Sorry.

Plastic welded it back together. Here's an inprogress photo


Then spotted the panel that goes under the foglight was cracked. The bit that goes here (shown removed)




Welded.



Successfully put back.

continued..................

[andyfanshawe]

Interestngly, when the underwing shield was removed it exposed a very dry ABS pump and big earth connector (ie no protective lube or coating at all.



Notice the 2 thick brown wires?



No protection either.

So all liberally sprayed with a synthetic extreme lubricant.

And look how dry the underwing is. Especially the brake pipe and connector here



Again, sprayed thoroughly.

[andyfanshawe]

Now, next interesting find.
Bear in mind that the car was MOT'd just before I picked it up in late january this year with a PASS.

Have a look at the state of the front to rear brake pipes





These were obviously then perfect 6 months ago!! What a joke

Guess what I'll be doing next as a matter of urgency.

Andy.

,

[Worcester_spoon]

Those brake lines are shocking!! Best check mine now

How easy are they to change? DIY job for a novice, or require a degree of technical ability?

[enzed4]

Andy, why did you need to lubricate the non-moving parts (e.g. the brake pipe and connector)? Was it to protect rather than lubricate? From corrosion?
Cheers.

[Beedub]

awesome!!

[andyfanshawe]

Those brake lines are shocking!! Best check mine now

How easy are they to change? DIY job for a novice, or require a degree of technical ability?

Not too bad. Copper brake pipe in a roll from car shop ( not quite copper but ....!). Flaring tool, patience to get pipe around obstacles and back in proper clips. Oh, and a knack of swearing at it on a regular basis.
Probably a n assistant to help bleed, but I do it solo because everybody huggers off when I want help

[andyfanshawe]

Andy, why did you need to lubricate the non-moving parts (e.g. the brake pipe and connector)? Was it to protect rather than lubricate? From corrosion?
Cheers.

Yeah, sorry.....corossion protection. Restored too many cars with rust/seizing issues. Every bit helps!
My wife always asks who I am protecting it for? When asked to explain, she said.......all this rustproofing and who gets the benefit? Not you...the next owner. And she is right. Oh well. Got to do my bit.

Andy.

[McDade]

Andy, loving this thread.

Ive just taken a quick browse over your website and there are some lovely examples of other projects you've worked on.

The cobra kit car is impressive!!

Cheers

[paddy wright]

Now, next interesting find.
Bear in mind that the car was MOT'd just before I picked it up in late january this year with a PASS.

Have a look at the state of the front to rear brake pipes





These were obviously then perfect 6 months ago!! What a joke1

Guess wehat I'll be doing next as a matter of urgency.

Andy.

,

It's weird I've just had the same thing- the local Indy did MOT in November with no advisories, yet with no wet driving and around 1200 miles later when in BMW I needed new brake lines as they were corroded as yours. Seems some MOT centres aren't strict enough!

[nugget16]

What a nice Man you are. I have just read your Facebook page, I like how you go the extra mile to help your former students, especially the one who bought that VW with the Lemon of an engine. I only wish you were closer to me I would get you to look at my Triumph Stag.
finding a garage who knows what they are doing is thin on the ground. keep up the good work

[JINGLE]

Great work, a pleasure to follow and read your progress

[captain caveman]

Mizzy is "bmwexpert2014" on ebay

Whats the chances of that. I just bought seats from him, was a bit worried as it was all done via email and text so its good to know he is real guy not a scammer

[andyfanshawe]

Mizzy is "bmwexpert2014" on ebay

Whats the chances of that. I just bought seats from him, was a bit worried as it was all done via email and text so its good to know he is real guy not a scammer

Definitely a good 'un!