yes, i would go with the plugs first - The Z3 (E36/7) Message Board

go with the bosch plat. plus 2s. that is the factory ones, except factory says BMW bosch on the side. a misfire could be the plugs or an injector clogged. i would dump off some fuel injector cleaner. i would put in two bottles, it won't hurt just don't do it alot.

then you can even get into the timming being off, which is controled by the computer via the VANOS unit. our year cars only have a single
VANOS, so at least if it was the VANOS unit we now which one it is. VANOS=VTEC=etc....

these could have also been older codes from the previous owner. i bet you didn't have a CEL light one did you? you just check the codes to check them right? well, the previous owner could have had some trouble at one point and the codes never got erased. some codes erase after awhile and others will stay for longer times. i was getting precat 02 sensor codes, but no CEL light and they would stay there for awhile.

i would replace the plugs, dump some cleaner, change the oil (castrol syntec 10/30 if you ask me), and replace the air filter with a K&N panel factory replacement filter. make sure the codes are reset and drive for about a week and check it again. then again after another week if nothing shows up. if nothing comes back up you are probably ok. if it does, go to the dealer or find a nice reputable indie shop nearby that does BMW.

good, luck and good choose, the 97 2.8 is a bad best. any mods you wanna do. i have been there done that and researched the crap out of it. i have also done things the hard way MANY times, so i could help you save some time there.

later

Jesus rides a white horse!!

I'm sure He'd ride these 189!!

Z3 Fault Codes - MarksZ3 2004-05-24 20:29:10 (794 views) (1673 thread views)
- yes, i would go with the plugs first - bimmer2.8 ©⁵⁶ 2004-05-25 00:57:19 (199 views)
  - I was thinking you once recommended bosch +4's - DanZ 2004-05-25 12:54:16 (151 views)
    - i went with the 2s because - bimmer2.8 ©⁵⁶ 2004-05-25 15:30:18 (110 views)
      Thanks. I'll try the +2's, come to think of it (m) (nt) - DanZ 2004-05-25 17:06:13 (63 views)
      oops, I meant to say, come to think of it (m) - DanZ 2004-05-25 17:11:30 (93 views)
      no problem, i try to help ;-) (nt) - bimmer2.8 ©⁵⁶ 2004-05-26 01:11:31 (60 views)
  - geesh my typing sucks (nt) - bimmer2.8 ©⁵⁶ 2004-05-25 01:04:01 (78 views)
    - Re: geesh my typing sucks - MarksZ3 2004-05-25 21:55:39 (87 views)
      magnaflow muffler, you will never get tired of it! - bimmer2.8 ©⁵⁶ 2004-05-26 01:00:43 (93 views)