wchestnutt

Hi guys, So today she finally died... went to go for a nice drive in the sun and it started but died after a couple of seconds, and then wont start. This is something that has been developing for a few months. occasionally not starting, then if I leave it for a couple of minutes it will start. The symptoms are that it will turn over but not fire. or fire first time and start, but then immediately die, by what seems like fuel starvation. Also, I though I had worked out that if I hear the fuel pump prime it usually meant the car would start. this seemed consistent. If I didn't hear it prime then it wouldn't start, pointing to fuel problems. This leads me to believe it could be the crank angle sensor, fuel pump or FP Control Module itself. I guess it could also be the ECU, although I am less likely to believe this would just start randomly playing up over a long course of 3 months without any other symptoms. So my points to investigate would be first of all the connections and relays on the CAS, ECU, and Fuel Pump. if they seem fine I would then need to check voltages between cas > ecu > fuel pump. hopefully that will tell me whats what? Anything I have missed?

Hi Guys, Okay interesting points. Can't say I have been convinced either way at the moment. Blue hasn't done it again since that one morning, and the oil still looks golden, but I will get it in for a change shortly. Noz, if you dont mind; My engine has around 80k, daily driver, and doesn't smoke etc and I believe to be in pretty good health (although yet to be comp and pressure tested for peace of mind)... What oil would you recommend for it? I think I will just go for a few oil changes in short succession to ensure everything is okay.

Thanks for the feedback guys! Okay well this has only started happening recently. It used to tick for about 3 seconds if it had been stood for a week on cold start. I will get a few oil changes done over the next couple of weeks and see if that helps. Fingers crossed it wont end up being something more sinister! It has never seemed to lose oil.

Hi guys, So just taken the zed on a 200m motorway trip to brum. All fine last night but this morning it was ticking from the head on idle quite loudly!.. when raising the revs for a few seconds it died down, but then came back again when idling. Stayed like this for 5-10 mins before quietening down... sat waiting for the air pump at moment and it seems normal again. Oil was replaced at xmas, have done around 4k. Should I start diggin deeper?.. Thanks, W

That's a shame mate, is a nice looking car otherwise. I almost went for it when it was up for sale but was concerned about the seal, at least that was just the PVC! :) Good luck with the repair work.

Well I bought them as the first alignment place I went to said the NSF caster was out with fixed rods, so not sure if it was just slightly bent but thought it prudent to get adjustable so I can have a full setup done, and also be ready for dropping the car a bit at some point.

Hi Guys, the offers are really appreciated!! are either of the tension rods adjustable?... I have just had a full setup done on the car and have adjustables all round so would be worried that putting a fixed one on would throw everything off. Currently drives (or drove) like it was on rails after the setup. Steve, thats awesome thanks! What evening would work for you?..

Ahh dude that is epic thank you!! I'll give you some $$... only need the OSF at moment. :) Did you fit adjustable to yours? I will try and borrow a car one evening to get over there.

Hi Guys, After having a pot hole incident I now have a burst shock and broken tie rod so looking for a replacement for the OSF... anyone with parts available? I previously had adjustable tie rods so need ot replace with adjustables again really. Alternative is I now invest in coilovers, so if anyone has a set let me know!

Hi Guys, Sorry only just seen these messages!! So thanks for Groovers advice I dropped it in to ATS around the corner and just got her back... Well, my girl is poorly :( OSF burst shock OSF Tie rod broken :( :( Hope there isn't anything else hiding in there like cracks etc, but at least it is a start. The pot hole was a couple of weeks ago, but I guess it weakened it and then finally gave up last night! In fact a squeaking noise was starting to really p me off yesterday morning on way to work, and I guess it was suspension starting to fail. popping a post up in the parts forum! :)

Think I have Poly bushes in adjustable rods.. are they likely to have just died? I did catch a pot hole unfortunately a few weeks back...

Hi Guys. When braking at slow speeds the car makes a loud knocking sound on the front and it feels like there is a bit of movement. This happens if I start reversing, is makes a knock as I start moving and feels like the front shifts slightly (best way I can describe)... Do you reckon this could be the front tension rods being loose?... Best, W

Small mention in a discussion about future collectables, but nice to get a plug at least!

very sad to hear, my thoughts with yourself, your family and all those affected. life is such a beautiful fragile thing, we are all lucky to experience whatever we can of it. Best wishes to all x

Hi Guys, Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated. So I have pulled the codes and it shows 55 :( Happened again today after 2 hours of driving, stopped in the forest for a flock of sheep in the road and the revs just started to die and it then would start for a few minites. Tries 4 times and it was just about firing, but then instantly dieing straight away. Then boom fired up and was fine for another 45 minutes to get home. I am not sure how to check the temp sender, some help would be really appreciated if there are a few things we could go over one evening Stephen? Might be worth if I buy a new temp sender just in case as I haven't ever replaced it. Is this easily accessible?... Boost leak test might be a good shout too, I did have issues last year with a boost leak causing idle issues. idles perfectly at moment but may be something fishy going on again. The Battery is pretty new, but I will keep it in mind. Best regards, W

Hi Guys, I have put alcantara interior into my series 4, and unfortunately it was from an early model so has holes in the door on the arm rest for seat belts. I believe this is meant to have a plastic trim to hide the rough edges, just the bit in the arm rest is needed for both drivers side and passenger... http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/PICS/stereo/passdoor.jpg Also my drivers door lock just spins so need a replacement mechanism... Best regards, William.

I am going to use this is a bit of a diary of this issue so I can keep track, as well as hopefully hear some thoughts.. Generally car runs beautifully with no issues, with an intermittent stalling/fuelling issue which I would like to keep an eye on Issue started 3 months ago. Stalled turning out of my road when I put the clutch down, and wouldnt' start again for a couple of mins. Then fine for another months. Second occurrence a month later - Motorway in 4th gear - Foot down to overtake and power cuts out completely. Put clutch in and engine stalls (traveling 60mph). Clutch back out to bump start engine again and all power was resumed. No issues there after. third occurrence 1 month later (this week). I start engine after work and release key a bit too early (usually starts instantly). It then refuses to fire and just turns over without firing at all, Leave it off for 3 minutes, try again and fires up first time straight away. forth occurrence today. In the garage from a cold start I turn key and start it and straight away is lumpy as hell with revs dropping down and stalls. pressing accelerator didn't make any difference to revs. Then starts straight away and is fine after leaving it for 20 seconds. So, My wondering.... - Fuel Pump related?... Weak pump causing issues? I am trying to leave the key in position 2 before cranking it each morning to see if that helps the starting issue (does that prime the fuel pump or am I talking rubbish? - Think I heard it somewhere as you get a noise from the rear of teh car for a few seconds when in that position ). - MAF sensor has intermittent fault/failure. - ECU has an issue? Beyond this I am hoping that it wouldn't be anything more catastrophic? Engine is sweet rest of the time with no loss of power at all. Any ideas appreciated!

Hi, Selling a set of OEM jap import wheels with old tires. Wheels Look to be in pretty good shape, need a clean. I bought last year but never put on the car so been sat in the garage. Will need new tires I would imagine. £30. Collection from Lymington/Southampton area. Also Selling a set of blue tweed interior panels for LWB 1994. Could potentially sell with the front and rear blue tweed seats (not pictured). Looking for £30 for panels (not 40, title is wrong). Good condition, no tears. Could use a bit of a clean I guess. Swapped out of the car before xmas for alcantara.

Fitted a charcoal Alcantara interior instead of the blue tweed. I will miss the blue, but it looks a lot smarter now!! Thanks Mikey Bean :) £100 ebay win! Needs tidying up in a couple of places but was a pretty easy swap! I was quite impressed at ow easy it was to work out. Now I just need some retrimmed seats as it shows up how old the blue tweed seats are!!

Hi Guys, Anyone got some working good condition coilovers or possibly lowering springs? Looking to drop the car by around 40mm. Best, W

:) it is the first time in this car that I feel as though I can tell the difference with the HICAS kicking in for responsiveness above 50mph. Might be my imagination but feels a lot better, and also I am no longer going sideways everywhere. wish I had gotten a set for teh front too.

Well, The tyres I have bought from that link are on and the grip in the wet/damp is amazing!! really pleased with them. Such a difference from the old Avons or whatever they were...

Steady now! It has been noticable as the tires have worn low that they seem to catch you unaware a bit more. Only ever had one close call when I didn't expect it to go.. the rest of the time it is always pre-empted. Well I think those will fit my wheels, I took it to the tyre shop today and they said 245/45/17 will do it as they are volk challenge f-zero alloys... fingers crossed :s

Thats what I was thinking - It would be nice to have a bit more grip in the wet as I am using it as my daily now!.. Hopefully these would give that, I don't intend to drive in the snow though!

I get what you are saying about cheap brands - I don't want budget tyres from the local garage. These ones seem to be more expensive than the mid range brands on other sites, seems like a good deal, but not very clued up on my tyres.