How to Fix a Slowly Retracting Seatbelt- BMW Z3!
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- Опубликовано: 13 авг 2022
- Today we will review a low-cost, easy solution to a common problem on the Z3: a seatbelt that slowly retracts, or won't retract all the way.
Please send me pics and descriptions of your cars for Zed of the Week! Send a few high quality jpegs (landscape/16:9 format) and a brief description (year, engine, transmission, work done, etc.) as well as where you're from (and your name!) to:
momentofzed@gmail.com
Also the address for any other reason to contact me- look forward to hearing from you! 
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A little late on this one but I did the silicone treatment. Washing the belt to remove all the grime will make the belt more supple and easier to retract. The purpose of the silicone treatment was to lube the mechanism that retracts the belt, which is really difficult to access. I noticed the rust on the last several inches of your belt and suspect the retracting mechanism could use a lube. Pull out the belt all the way and liberally treat the last several inches with silicone spray (really soak it). Now work the belt several times in the hope of transferring the lube to the mechanism. You should repeat the process a few times. I wouldn't use WD40, the silicone spray is readily available at your typical discount superstore.
Note: I really enjoy seeing the Zed of the week videos with the different wheel combinations available for the Z3. The style 42 and 68 are two of the favorites. There are lots of used BMW wheels to try and a few that work on the Z3.
Hint: focus on the series 3 BMWs before 2007.
Appreciate the advice on all. I was thinking the same think about the rust stains on my belt. Bmw makes the best wheels. Even now when other brands wheels look like cheap throwing stars from a low budget ninja, bmw makes sweet wheels.
Hey! I just got my Z3, please please keep making these wonderful videos! I love every one. You have an exquisite skill mark!
Thank you and congratulations!
Hello Mark! I just got my 1998 BMW Z3 1.9L engine and I wish I had few years back! I’m so in love with this car! I appreciate your time , enthusiasm and love for these machines! I’ll be definitely be sending you picks to hopefully we can be feature on your channel! Please keep coming up with these great videos! Cheers from Los Angeles, California!
Congratulations! Welcome to the club! Enjoy it and look forward to seeing the pics.
I have the same problem on my Z3. Great solution Mark. Thank's from Switzerland
My pleasure! Thank you for watching!
Annnd - yes same problem for me! Hi Mark, did mine about 3 weeks ago. Pulled out the belt as far as poss and soapy watered it in a sink bucket for 10 minutes of very hot water. Then 10 mins in a clean water soak. Very dirty water and after drying, a good fast retractable belt. One point - I managed to unpop the belt clip stopper. The little round black plastic clip that passes through the belt and stops the clip from dropping to the floor when undoing the belt. Found it in two halves eventually and then the old superglue job.
Keep them coming! Love our Zeds mate.
All best
Craig the Pistachiowner 👍
Yes, mine is missing I discovered. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for your support!
Had my z3 for around a year and just noticed this problem in the last few weeks, brilliant timing great video
Glad I could help and thanks for watching! Happy new year!
@@MomentofZed hoping to spend some time working on it this year, poor thing is probably one of the roughest examples here in the UK but it's a good car and it will be my first project
@@bobers03072 best of luck hope the videos help!
Great channel, perfect after I just bought a MY2000 here in Australia :) Will give this a go soon!
Congrats and thanks for watching!
Wd 40 down the shoulder hole bro. Half a can down both holes. They zip back in so quick they’ll take your eye out. Minus the bucket and water etc 😆
Thank you! Good tip!
Mark, Hello again from California on Wednesday, Aug 31st. Me -- "Happy People" -- well, not sure. 😳 This additional communication is to pretty much close out my 1997 1.9 Z3 coolant system problem, as related in earlier communications below. This is a bit convoluted. As I had mentioned, I finally determined that the problem was an improperly fitting cap on my radiator expansion tank (it would not thread properly on the tank). I ordered a new cap, and it too did not properly fit the expansion tank, not threading properly or firmly (a sloppy fit). So, I ordered and received a new expansion tank, including a new cap that came with it. Today I took the Z to my German car shop to replace the tank with the new tank. That should resolve the issue. BUT, Not Yet! After considerable effort, the shop techs could not get the new tank (which looked like the old tank) to work, as it would not insert into its receiver section at the bottom. The bottom of the tank was very slightly too large to fit . It just would not slide in like it is supposed to. So, I was getting pretty frustrated. Chatting with the shop team, we decided that the already existing expansion tank would have to be reinstalled. As they were doing that, I suggested using the new cap from the new tank and place it on the old tank. Unbelievably, the new cap from the new tank fit very well on my old tank. Drove it for about 45 minutes with no problem. Therefore, I believe that issue has been finally resolved, taking great care in the future whenever removing the expansion tank cap to add water to the coolant system. This was a rather expensive trial and error process (including initially replacing the thermostat, which apparently now I have a good old spare thermostat for possible future use). At this point, my next maintenance effort will be having the brake rotors and pads replaced with ceramic pads, which will be performed in two weeks. So, continuing to have "fun" keeping up with Z3 issues. And "enjoying" 100 degree temps (at least it is dry heat, with no humidity). Looking forward to your future posts.
Walter, glad you finally (hopefully) trscked it down! Lot of effort for a cap. Nothing wrong with new parts however. Hope the next job is smoother!
32 yr technician here, this works. Ed 40 is best but it will get on ur clothing , but for me I already got stains on me .
Appreciate that! Thank you for watching!
great job. keep it up
Thanks and thank you for watching!
Glass cleaners with ammonia should be avoided since they are harsher than needed. Put some of your soapy water solution in a spray bottle for the portion of the belt that can’t reach the bucket. Thanks for the videos.
Good call!
Of course, I have the same problem. Thanks for adding to the long list of things to do 😅
I have that too! 45 videos and it keeps growing!
@@MomentofZed I just had the alternator, the cooling system and the clutch & flywheel replaced! It’s been a very expensive project 🥴
@@GreenWitch1 Sounds expensive! It will be worth it!
@@GreenWitch1 My charging light came on, and I was able to fix it for about $9. All of the alternators that Valero makes use the same brushes, and mine were so worn that they weren't making contact. It was tedious replacing them but much cheaper than the whole alternator.
@@bringbacknames It was under $100 & I didn’t have to do anything but install it. But, I’ll keep that in mind.
Mark, Hello again from California. I am still pursuing my coolant system overheating problem on my July 1997 BMW Z3 1.9. I will be replacing the expansion tank, which I just received, which I think is the problem, having a very poor connection with the screw-on cap. But, I could use your help, if possible, if you might find a little time. I do not use Facebook, Instagram, etc. I am attempting to determine exactly which coolant radiator fan control switch to order, but I come across quite a number of different similar parts on-line, making it confusing. Do you have anyone you communicate with and rely on for parts information that you could possibly contact for me to determine which switch I should have? I am toying with removing the switch to see if that could help determine the part number, but maybe not. Due to the switch being high on the radiator, I believe that removing the switch will not result in much loss of coolant water, if any, but not sure. Any advice you may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. 😃
Let me see what I can find out Walter. Might be Monday not sure if folks are open tomorrow. I'll give it a shot. Keep us up to date as you go along!
@@MomentofZed Mark, On second thought, please hold up on doing this. As I drove my Z today, which went well, the more it looks like the whole issue is the expansion tank cap fitment problem. I will drive more to confirm. Many thanks.
I did this a while back on all of my cars, and then I applied some silicone spray. It fixed all of them except the passenger side on the Z3. It's better but still not good.
Interesting. Especially being the pax side. Is the guide good on the seat?
@@MomentofZed I had to repair both sides, but it's good now.
@@bringbacknames Try Boabie's solution below?
@@MomentofZed I'll give that a shot. I would've thought the silicone would do it, but that may be just the thing. Thanks!
If you're going the wd route, I'd pull the belt out all the way and clip it. My only worry is wd getting all over the belt fabric. I'd let it sit overnight before retracting the belt.
What do I do if the seatbelt got jammed in the door?
And the door is jammed shut I assume? Won't open.
Yessir that’s correct. Unlocked but jammed shut
@thomasrainey9293 I haven't dealt with that, but what I would do, and this might feel wrong, is to lean hard with your hip on the back edge of the door. This should take tension off the latch, try the handle. Again refer to my first sentence. That is the only thing that I can think of though.
Looks like a side badge is still missing. Hmmmm
You haven't changed to the clear ones?
@@MomentofZed 😂