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Thread: After Storage Problems

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    After Storage Problems

    My 01 Z3 has been sitting for a year and only been started once per month by the company. I came to pick it up and it's starting and then struggles and dies. I have tried fuel injector cleaner and it helped a little but now I have to pump the gas in order to keep it alive and that only works for a few seconds. Any ideas?
    1993 E36 325i (RIP)
    1995 E36 325i (SOLD)
    1987 E30 325i (SOLD)
    1990 E34 535i (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 2.5i Roady (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 3.0i Coupe (SOLD)
    1997 E36 328IC (SOLD)

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    2003 BMW 540iA
    Bad fuel?

    If you have to keep pressing the gas to keep it running, check the IAC or whatever idle air setup that engine has.

  3. #3
    323i E30's Avatar
    323i E30 is offline ⅂!ʈө !ƨ l!ʞө ɐ ʇөlөbµouө
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    Quote Originally Posted by ElleShooTiger View Post
    Bad fuel?

    If you have to keep pressing the gas to keep it running, check the IAC or whatever idle air setup that engine has.
    Not sure for how long fuel stays ok, but that was my first thought as well indeed.
    ^ true story



    D̶i̶b̶s̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶E̶2̶1̶

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    A year is a long time for gasoline. I'd suggest draining the tank and refilling with fresh as a first step.
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Arida Zona
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    I bet its the fuel - next time throw some fuel stabilizer in their before you store it.

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  6. #6
    Join Date
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    So, it is something completely different. I unplugged the MAF and it started and ran fine. I guess I can replace that. The only real problem now is the transmission light is on and it's shifting hard. The company was supposed to drive the car once per month and after 14 months it only gained 1 mile. I don't think they drove it. Trans service needs to be done anyways.
    1993 E36 325i (RIP)
    1995 E36 325i (SOLD)
    1987 E30 325i (SOLD)
    1990 E34 535i (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 2.5i Roady (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 3.0i Coupe (SOLD)
    1997 E36 328IC (SOLD)

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by sometrumpetguy View Post
    The company was supposed to drive the car once per month and after 14 months it only gained 1 mile. I don't think they drove it. Trans service needs to be done anyways.
    Unless they drove it 100 yards each month...yeah, I'd go with them only ever driving it once.
    Not so much a signature as a cry for help.

    Hold on, saw this in a cartoon once...think I can pull it off.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    I bet the started it but didnt actually drive it.

    Strange it would be the MAF. Did you try cleaning it first? Maybe some dust just got stuck on the film

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

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
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  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by sometrumpetguy View Post
    So, it is something completely different. I unplugged the MAF and it started and ran fine. I guess I can replace that.
    While that could be a symptom of a bad MAF, more commonly it will be the result of intake leaks. A smoke test will find any and needs to be done before anything else.
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Tucson, AZ
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    '01 F-250 Diesel
    My filter and gasket came in today for the transmission, all the cooling parts are here except for one hose that was out of stock. I'll pick up the coolant and trans fluid here locally. I really think that the transmission fluid dried after sitting for so long without moving, is that even possible?
    Either way... things that are going to be done soon...
    1. Trans filter
    2. cooling system
    3. Stainless steel brake lines
    4. Oil Change
    5. Sell

    Good news everybody! I'm going to look at an S52 M Coupe in a few minutes!
    1993 E36 325i (RIP)
    1995 E36 325i (SOLD)
    1987 E30 325i (SOLD)
    1990 E34 535i (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 2.5i Roady (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 3.0i Coupe (SOLD)
    1997 E36 328IC (SOLD)

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Richmond BC
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    1995 BMW 318i Sedan
    I would say it's due to the old gas, grab some high octane gas and see if that helps
    1995 318i Stock

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Arida Zona
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    So, did you get the M Coupe?

    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!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Tucson, AZ
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    '01 F-250 Diesel
    Update!
    I have to wait on buying the Coupe, if it's available when I sell the Z3 I'm going for it. I only have parking for 2 cars right now (one of the down sides of living in Hawaii).

    I got the car home, the gas tank is full of good fresh premium Chevron gasoline, still won't start with the MAF plugged in. Sadly, this is the least of my worries. My transmission light is on and it is shifting extremely hard, particularly in 1st and 2nd upshifting and downshifting (Auto trans suck). I have already done the oil change and transmission fluid which didn't help much. I'm guessing that I'll have to have the diagnostic run. Anyone have experience with this? I blame the storage company for not properly moving the car, there shouldn't be problems like this at 79,000 miles.

    Thanks!
    1993 E36 325i (RIP)
    1995 E36 325i (SOLD)
    1987 E30 325i (SOLD)
    1990 E34 535i (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 2.5i Roady (SOLD)
    2001 Z3 3.0i Coupe (SOLD)
    1997 E36 328IC (SOLD)

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