Z3 Servicing Tips

[Cobranut]

Hi, I am thinking of giving my 1998 z3 2.8 a service myself, she has done 47k miles now, this is something I haven't done for years so a little apprehensive......the brakes are fine so thinking oil change, oil filter, plugs, air filter, fluid levels, tyre checks.....is there anything I have missed, should be thinking of or tips....feel like a bit of a novice at this these days. Thanks.

 

[jonco]

I think a few of us on here have got back into car maintenance when we got our Zeds. I know I went ~thirty years of having someone else do it. Your initial list does not include anything too challenging.
Mileage wise most on yours should be still healthy but you could start working through other fluids e.g. power steering, rear diff, gearbox, coolant and fuel filter which are all fairly straightforward jobs.
Just ask the question before you do each and a load of tips will follow. You can also look up procedures on TIS.
Good Luck

Edit - link to TIS https://www.newtis.info

 

[t-tony]

One good tip is make sure your drain tray will easily hold more than 7 litres of oil, oh and make sure it's in the right place as you remove the plug . . . . . . . . .

Tony.

 

[Cobranut]

Thanks for the replies....any thoughts on best oil to use...

 

[Jack Ratt]

@Cobranut

https://zroadster.org/threads/opie-commercial-oils.19013/

Tell Opie what car you have and they will advise on all you lubricants

 

[Cobranut]

Thankyou

 

[Lenny b]

Fuel filter....?

 

[IainP]

Wear two pairs of gloves on the hand you use to remove the drain plug, extra insulation against the heat.
Don't do it when it's windy if you're outside, when the oil starts to trickle it blows everywhere.
Use a sheet of cardboard under the drain can, collects splashes, also makes it much easier to withdraw.
Do check gearbox and diff levels.
If you want to change their oils, check the fill plug in removeable first. I can't remember if they're the square insert type or not, been a while since I did my son's. It's worth buying the correct drain insert, a 3/8 adapter or ratchet, which many people use, is not a great fit, if not careful you chew up the plug.
Do check and adjust the handbrake, it can be worth removing the disc and giving the whole thing a spray with brake cleaner.
Oil everything with a hinge or pin.

I drive a lot in the dark, so I check all my bulbs every six months, anything that's starting to darken I change.

 

[Lenny b]

Great points especially with the oil and wind. I bought some drain plug attachments, cant remember the size but quite large..... shout if you need me to check

 

[t-tony]

Diff. level and drain are 14mm Hex.

Tony.

ps. You will likely find that if neither have ever been out they will be FT.

 

[Mint]

...neither have ever been out they will be FT...

Technical term Tony?

 

[Cobranut]

Thankyou everyone for the tips

 

[IainP]

"Diff. level and drain are 14mm Hex."

Excellent, I couldn't remember.

Ikea do a fold up kids playmate, about £15 I think. It's twice the width of mechanic mats, has a wipe clean surface that's easier to slide on. Mine is a year old, seen some hard use, still not ripped it, when I eventually do I can gaffa tape it. I only use the rubber one now when I'm welding underneath or, going to a rellie to work on their car.

One last thing, if you're worried about spilling oil, get some cat litter from Aldi or Lidl. Under 2 quid for a big bag. Works better than granules or spill kits. Pour it round the spill, fill it in, brush it up, repeat. You can crush it into dust if you have to. If it's a concrete surface, or monoblock, a quick squirt of brake cleaner cleans it like new. From experience though, sticking a piece of cardboard down first is the best option. I do keep a 2l ice cream tub filled with the stuff in the corner with my extinguisher though, just in case.

 

[Mario]

I would say apart from that I would also check the condition of all the rubber hoses, regardless of mileage they perish of age and I have changed them on all of the zeds I have had as a matter of course. Maybe time to replace the coolant as well if it's been there for a long while.
And probably something that no one does, remove your seats and lift the carpets, there a really thick piece of foam down there that absorbs water like there's no tomorrow - even a bigger leak won't show as damp carpets on top until you have a swimming pool down there, and small leaks can go unnoticed for years, do yourself a favor and catch any potential leaks as soon as possible.

 

[Bonzeau]

Any drain plugs you remove, always place them on the cap of the new oil container you are going to refill with. If you get sidetracked during the oil change you wouldn't be the first to pour in new oil without first replacing the drain plug!



Bonzo.

 

[t-tony]

Don't use @Grumps new drain tray

Put the old oil back into the containers it came in then you can take it to the tip. Saves someone like me another job.

Tony.

 

[Bonzeau]

I heard Grumps tried soup in a basket for his supper the other night..........

 

[g8jka]

Don't use @Grumps new drain tray

View attachment 98824

Put the old oil back into the containers it came in then you can take it to the tip. Saves someone like me another job.

Tony.

That looks perfect for my next oil change, must get one. Always drain my oil in @gookah's garage and that would be perfect to stop it spilling all over the floor. And it's a great idea putting old oil back into containers ready to take the tip. I always fill the old ones my Dad keeps in the garage, put them back where I find them ready for him to take to the tip.

 

[gookah]

it's a great idea putting old oil back into containers ready to take the tip. I always fill the old ones my Dad keeps in the garage, put them back where I find them .

every time I have done an oil change, I always thought the new oil looked dirtier than the old oil!!!!

 

[Cobranut]

Thanks everyone, the big decision seems to be the oil, so many different views.....it appears 5w40 fully synthetic is the right viscosity but which to go for is a nightmare......Castrol, valvoline, shell, even the cheaper ones.......aaaarrrggghhh....can't decide which to buy......don't want to put the wrong oil in.......