Mk2 mg zs 180 xpg

[Big-Jay]

Hi All,

Here is my recently purchased 180 in X Power Grey. Some of you may probably recognise her as she's been on the forum for a good while now. The two previous owners are forum members I believe, KevG & Maxfly.

I'd been looking for a good year or so for a nice one so as soon as this came up on gumtree I knew it was the one I'd be buying. She's already had some really nice modifications done and has most of the desirable bits and pieces, full leather seats, TF wheel, lowered, Janspeed Manis etc... She also has a cracking service history with plenty of receipts for work carried out which is always a good thing !

So, a killer 12 hour coach journey later and I found myself in Inverness, slightly dazed and confused, numb legs and in dire need of a nicotine fix :nugget:.

I was greeted by Maxfly, who I must say was an absolute pleasure to deal with and a real nice guy, at the coach station who then took me back to his home where the ZS was waiting. A good chat later, money handed over and I was now the official owner of this -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zps9tskzvee.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zps9tskzvee.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsjgliszow.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsjgliszow.jpg.html)

Another 12 hour journey and I was back in sunny Birmingham, all went smoothly apart from me losing a rear wind deflector somewhere along the M74.

Here she is, now extremely dirty and in dire need of a wash, taking a well deserved rest on my drive after the long journey home -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpswlhc53qq.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpswlhc53qq.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zps4oi85b8h.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zps4oi85b8h.jpg.html)

Now, Gary had mentioned that on the previous day when he got back from taking her for a last spin, a plasticky rattling noise had developed from the ancillary side of the engine. I thought it may have been coming from the power steering pump so I took the Aux belt off and started her up but the noise was still there with the belt removed.

This ment that the noise was coming from somewhere deeper in the engine bay so a bit more digging and a few tea breaks later and i had the cam belt exposed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zps89blidtr.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zps89blidtr.jpg.html)

Tea break :cool1: -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg7_zpsekynj31i.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg7_zpsekynj31i.jpg.html)

Straight away I noticed the belt was quite slack so that obviously means that the hydraulic tensioner has failed and is no longer doing its job. A quick test using a plastic spoon to tension the belt and the noise had disappeared meaning the noise was the cambelt slapping on the plastic cam covers.

I'll be popping out tomorrow to hopefully pick up a new tensioner and its makes sense to change the belt, pulleys and water pump while I'm there too.

I'll post an update tomorrow evening if all goes to plan :).

Jay.

[Roverlike]

Excellent car. I do like to read about nice stories like this.

One question: how you managed to loose rear wind deflector? Did you open the window, or deflector was not properly sitting, so it was loose?

[ian zs180]

That's one sorted zed that enjoy it mate

[Big-Jay]

Excellent car. I do like to read about nice stories like this.

One question: how you managed to loose rear wind deflector? Did you open the window, or deflector was not properly sitting, so it was loose?

Cheers bud,

Nope, snapped clean off ! Was extremely windy on the way home.

[Maxfly]

Hey Jay, looking forward to your progress on her and stuck right in already. Are you planning on doing the belts yourself, do you have the belt tool kit to do it or are you using home brew methods?
Aye that wind was fairly extreme, shows how much if it ripped off the poor wind deflector eh.
Was a pleasure to deal with yourself and she has gone to a great home :)

[grimmy]

You have got yourself a cracker there one of the best ones around.good to see my cars twin has went to a good home.have fun with it.

[ZS Phil]

Lovely looking car. Bet you are glad the belt didn't slip on the way home, that would have taken the shine off it! Sounds like you've been quite lucky there, great to see you getting the grease under the fingernails straight away too. Getting the belts done is a good job out the way :)

[Dan1971]

Great car you have and well worth the trip I'm sure. Things on there after years of improvements so not a lot left for you to do really. Enjoy !

[KevG]

Nice to see her again, Hope you enjoy her mate, she is still sadly missed by me, and I had her a long time.

I'll PM you later.

[talkingcars]

24 hours, that's dedication.

Another 12 hour journey and I was back in sunny Birmingham, all went smoothly apart from me losing a rear wind deflector somewhere along the M74.

so only 3 to go ;)

welcome aboard

James

[stamford]

If that zed wasn't so far from me and I had the time to relay it down south I would have had it. Enjoy it, it's a cracker.

[Big-Jay]

That's one sorted zed that enjoy it mate

I certainly will !

Cheers bud.

Hey Jay, looking forward to your progress on her and stuck right in already. Are you planning on doing the belts yourself, do you have the belt tool kit to do it or are you using home brew methods?
Aye that wind was fairly extreme, shows how much if it ripped off the poor wind deflector eh.
Was a pleasure to deal with yourself and she has gone to a great home :)

Hi Gary,

Yes bud I'll be doing the belts myself, I've done a fair few belt changes in the past so I'm comfortable with it. I don't have the belt tool kit no, home brew all the way !

I'll be following this thread as a guide aswell -
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/showthread.php?t=60892

Was very windy from Inverness to Perth, pitch black too, was interesting to say the least haha !

You have got yourself a cracker there one of the best ones around.good to see my cars twin has went to a good home.have fun with it.

Hi Grimmy,

Yeh she's a real beauty for sure !

Intrigued to know what you mean by twin, same model, close to each other on the production line or something along those lines ?

Lovely looking car. Bet you are glad the belt didn't slip on the way home, that would have taken the shine off it! Sounds like you've been quite lucky there, great to see you getting the grease under the fingernails straight away too. Getting the belts done is a good job out the way :)

Lucky lad I reckon !

Better to get the lot changed while I'm down there, saves taking it all apart again later down the line.

Great car you have and well worth the trip I'm sure. Things on there after years of improvements so not a lot left for you to do really. Enjoy !

Definitely worth the trip yeh. Got a few things i'm planning for her but like you say she's had a lot of nice bits done over the years !

Nice to see her again, Hope you enjoy her mate, she is still sadly missed by me, and I had her a long time.

I'll PM you later.

She'll definitely be enjoyed, no worries concerning that. I can see between yourself and Gary that she's been well looked after and spoilt through the years !

Appreciate the PM bud, I'll have a nose though the photos later,

Jay.

24 hours, that's dedication.

so only 3 to go ;)

welcome aboard

James

Cheers mate, yeh was a long time, doesn't quite hit you how far away it is until you've been on the coach for 6 hours and you realise your barely even half way...

Lmao, not to your taste then I gather !

If that zed wasn't so far from me and I had the time to relay it down south I would have had it. Enjoy it, it's a cracker.

Yeh she was a good distance away, but it really was worth the traveling to get her !

[grimmy]

I think they were quite close in build numbers but they are the same model and colour and stayed pretty close to each other so myself and kev used to call them the twins.although yours had a sex change when maxfly bought it.��

[Big-Jay]

Well, I couldn't get hold of the hydraulic tensioner that I needed today unfortunatly. Seems nowhere in Birmingham has one on the shelf ready to go. Couple that with the fact it's been hammering it down all day and I never even had a chance really !

I have reserved a good quality cambelt kit from my local motor factors but I'll probably cancel that and order all the bits I need from eBay ready for next weekend. (She's not being used just yet anyway, in case anyone was wondering, so there's no risk of doing any damage in the meantime).

So instead of doing that, I had a rummage through the spares that came with the car and found some original A-post trims amongst it.

To be fair I was going to pop down the scrappy at some point in the near future and see if I could get some off a 45 as the A-post trims in there now with the pods for the gauges aren't really my cup of tea.

I had some black mirco-suede material left over from my current Classic Mini restoration so I decided to put it to good use and recover the trims -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsd9peuybm.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsd9peuybm.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsrldi5n3r.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsrldi5n3r.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsz8wxogjy.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsz8wxogjy.jpg.html)

I ordered another set off wind deflectors and they arrived today, would have just bought the rears but I couldn't find any separately on eBay -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpskugauyin.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpskugauyin.jpg.html)

Anyway, I'll probably give her and my other ZED a good wash and detail tomorrow so will probably update again next weekend once the belt and what not is sorted.

For anyone interested in viewing my current mini restoration here's a link to the thread - http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/271736-92-city-my-first-rebuild/

It's a good 40-odd pages long so it's a bit of a jaunt to get through I'll warn you haha !

I'll leave a couple of pictures of where I'm at with the Mini here -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/1e5c52dfcedbb7d4a5e3c8937b2e51ff_zpsbmjyyecm.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/1e5c52dfcedbb7d4a5e3c8937b2e51ff_zpsbmjyyecm.jpg.h tml)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/8d3dedd82ddecc986b6c939e04f289e0_zps5midx3u8.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/8d3dedd82ddecc986b6c939e04f289e0_zps5midx3u8.jpg.h tml)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/b62a76b142880d821ecf69e3330f19f2_zps56zykrub.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/b62a76b142880d821ecf69e3330f19f2_zps56zykrub.jpg.h tml)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/3b9c7d0bf074c9949455f650ceb4109b_zps9016c366.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/3b9c7d0bf074c9949455f650ceb4109b_zps9016c366.jpg.h tml)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/4b1b5772115b5cfbf935a33c8e5cc4fd_zps606e5230.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/4b1b5772115b5cfbf935a33c8e5cc4fd_zps606e5230.jpg.h tml)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/bd4da5100d29bd66379239fa5ac97e5f_zps298695ba.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/bd4da5100d29bd66379239fa5ac97e5f_zps298695ba.jpg.h tml)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/cf5916db43b0a98ffc2fc3724abfe40c_zpslcdu7ql7.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/cf5916db43b0a98ffc2fc3724abfe40c_zpslcdu7ql7.jpg.h tml)

Jay.

[stamford]

Love the Mini, I've had and built a few over the years, from 850, 1000, 1100, 1275 and 1340. You've never lived unless you've had a real Mini ;)

[Maxfly]

That trims looks smart Jay, I think this is going to end up being an excellent build thread and enjoiy the belts, you certainly have the ability :)
I shall be perusing that mini thread, love the proper minis and that looks cracking!!!

Shame the tensioner has went as thinking about that would have been done at the last belt change yet others seem to manage to keep going on the originals. Could it possibly be the lack of use recently then her final spin which caused it?? Be interesting to see the bits once they are off to show what they are like

[Big-Jay]

I think they were quite close in build numbers but they are the same model and colour and stayed pretty close to each other so myself and kev used to call them the twins.although yours had a sex change when maxfly bought it.��

Ahh, that would explain it then. I've had a forage through the forum and seen a few threads on your car, very tidy by the way !

So she was once a he then ! I don't know what it is but I can't help myself from referring to my cars as 'she' !

Love the Mini, I've had and built a few over the years, from 850, 1000, 1100, 1275 and 1340. You've never lived unless you've had a real Mini ;)

A man with good taste I see ! ;)

There's nothing quite like driving a Mini in my opinion, a real unique experience !

That trims looks smart Jay, I think this is going to end up being an excellent build thread and enjoiy the belts, you certainly have the ability :)
I shall be perusing that mini thread, love the proper minis and that looks cracking!!!

Shame the tensioner has went as thinking about that would have been done at the last belt change yet others seem to manage to keep going on the originals. Could it possibly be the lack of use recently then her final spin which caused it?? Be interesting to see the bits once they are off to show what they are like

Cheers Gary :)

Can't beat a proper Mini !

I've had a look through a few threads on different websites and it looks like a mixed bag really, some are still going fine with the originals and some have said they've had them fail a few miles after being replaced.

Hard to say what may have caused it really bud, may be down to the lack of use recently but who knows.

I'd imagine a seal has given way inside the tensioner but it did look quite corroded from what I could see of it, maybe the corrosion has got to it and seized it up but I won't know for sure until I have it off. I'll take a few pictures when I've done so and post them up on here !

Jay.

[Rockey5uk2001]

Ahh, that would explain it then. I've had a forage through the forum and seen a few threads on your car, very tidy by the way !

So she was once a he then ! I don't know what it is but I can't help myself from referring to my cars as 'she' !



A man with good taste I see ! ;)

There's nothing quite like driving a Mini in my opinion, a real unique experience !



Cheers Gary :)

Can't beat a proper Mini !

I've had a look through a few threads on different websites and it looks like a mixed bag really, some are still going fine with the originals and some have said they've had them fail a few miles after being replaced.

Hard to say what may have caused it really bud, may be down to the lack of use recently but who knows.

I'd imagine a seal has given way inside the tensioner but it did look quite corroded from what I could see of it, maybe the corrosion has got to it and seized it up but I won't know for sure until I have it off. I'll take a few pictures when I've done so and post them up on here !

Jay.

As an engineer I'm fully aware that anything mechanical should be a "she"

This is primarly due to all the head aches they give you like women do!

Welcome by the way! and what a cracking car!

[KevG]

Lol at Grimmy, she had a low level spoiler from a Rover 45, as the extreme one I didn't like and to be honest made her different from the rest of the "Sheep"

[Big-Jay]

As an engineer I'm fully aware that anything mechanical should be a "she"

This is primarly due to all the head aches they give you like women do!

Welcome by the way! and what a cracking car!

Sounds about right lmao,

Cheers bud.

Lol at Grimmy, she had a low level spoiler from a Rover 45, as the extreme one I didn't like and to be honest made her different from the rest of the "Sheep"

The low level spoiler came with the car when I bought her, I may swap them over at some point in the future if I fancy a change !

[Big-Jay]

Ok guys, spent yesterday outside on the drive doing the timing belts, pleased to say all went smoothly !

Heres the parts I bought, all genuine MG/Rover except for the auxiliary belt and water pump of which are still good quality aftermarket parts. There are cheaper kits on the market but I wouldn't entertain using 'budget' items for a job like this for obvious reasons -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zps4ughbkd9.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zps4ughbkd9.jpg.html)

Set the engine to 'Safe' and then removed the old belt, tensioner, pulleys and water pump -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsg1nhzmx9.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsg1nhzmx9.jpg.html)

Here's the hydraulic tensioner, quite corroded and was slightly damp around the piston when I removed it. Looks like it may have been leaking slightly to me -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsxq6zn4cq.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsxq6zn4cq.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpso2ka95ck.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpso2ka95ck.jpg.html)

Coolant cleaned up and new water pump, tensioner and pulleys fitted -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zpsc14p4x8u.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zpsc14p4x8u.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsv5shnhno.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsv5shnhno.jpg.html)

When I removed the old belt the cam wheels sprang back about an inch each. Was just a case of removing the two rear cam covers and then using two 19mm spanners on the front camshaft nuts until the timing marks aligned on the rear inlet and exhaust cam wheels and then slipping the new belt on. Here's the new belt fitted and the pin that holds the tensioner piston in place removed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg7_zpsyem3csjh.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg7_zpsyem3csjh.jpg.html)

Ancillary's refitted and new auxiliary belt fitted -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg9_zpsjuarfvvm.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg9_zpsjuarfvvm.jpg.html)

And all back together again, she's running beautifully now :) -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg16_zps0l0ych2d.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg16_zps0l0ych2d.jpg.html)

I haven't changed the two smaller belts yet as that was enough for one day. I'll do these at some point next weekend as well as a full service.

I also bought some new badges for the quarter panels so I changed those over too, here they are -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg11_zps7tugndd5.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg11_zps7tugndd5.jpg.html)

Used some masking tape to mark around the old badge so I could get the new ones where they need to be -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg10_zpsuqi1ujzt.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg10_zpsuqi1ujzt.jpg.html)

Badge removed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg12_zpsvhfbt8aw.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg12_zpsvhfbt8aw.jpg.html)

New one fitted -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg14_zps9lc6jdz0.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg14_zps9lc6jdz0.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg15_zps2wamyq0q.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg15_zps2wamyq0q.jpg.html)

Just a case of rinse and repeat for the other side -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg13_zpsagariwn9.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg13_zpsagariwn9.jpg.html)

That's it for this weekend, will update again when I've done the smaller belts and the service :).

Jay.

[stamford]

Nice work there, I like shiny engine parts!

[talkingcars]

Nice work there - the badge is probably more accurately located than in the factory.

[grimmy]

Top work.don't fancy coming back up and doing the twins ones do you.

[Maxfly]

Great stuff, that's good progress jay.
That would be a good road trip for a twins reunion and belt change eh ;)

[ZS]

Top work.don't fancy coming back up and doing the twins ones do you.

Ha Ha, I was thinking of asking the same (but coming down south!)

Fantastic read, thank you for posting. Great car, but seeing all these is a constant reminder that I need to pull my finger out and sort mine! (Its just time at the moment)

[Rockey5uk2001]

Great work and really good info, glad to see someone acutally do the belts without the tools.

going to be stripping my engine in the summer to trace a small water leak.

Will be doing the belts then as i suspect its the water pump

Thank you mate!

[Big-Jay]

Decided to fit the A-Pillar trims I recovered today, was a nice straight forward job, just had a bit of wiring to trace and remove.

Here's all the bits I removed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsv2b9x8vp.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsv2b9x8vp.jpg.html)

I'll keep hold of the podded A-Pillar trim as I may recover this in the future, then I'll fit some L.E.D gauges if I fancy a change. Who ever crafted the pods to the trim did a pretty good job to be fair.

Recovered trims in place -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zps9wivdasc.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zps9wivdasc.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsm7rjxgx2.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsm7rjxgx2.jpg.html)

Quite pleased with them !

Should be finding out when I can get her booked in to the body shop to have the corrosion on the roof sorted out at some point this week, I want to get this sorted out sooner rather than later.

Jay.

[Big-Jay]

Nice work there, I like shiny engine parts!

Cheers bud,

Can't beat a few new shiny bits !

Nice work there - the badge is probably more accurately located than in the factory.

Thanks mate,

Wouldn't surprise me ;)

Top work.don't fancy coming back up and doing the twins ones do you.

Cheers mate,

Nope ! Still trying to catch up on sleep from the first trip lmao !

Great stuff, that's good progress jay.
That would be a good road trip for a twins reunion and belt change eh ;)

Cheers Gary, yeh it's all going fairly well atm.

Would be a road trip and a half that haha !

Ha Ha, I was thinking of asking the same (but coming down south!)

Fantastic read, thank you for posting. Great car, but seeing all these is a constant reminder that I need to pull my finger out and sort mine! (Its just time at the moment)

Cheers bud,

You'll have to join the queue apparently ;).

Yeh I know what you mean, making time can be difficult sometimes !

Great work and really good info, glad to see someone acutally do the belts without the tools.

going to be stripping my engine in the summer to trace a small water leak.

Will be doing the belts then as i suspect its the water pump

Thank you mate!

Cheers mate,

It can look a bit daunting at first, but if you take your time and keep organised it's really not too hard at all. The tools aren't a necessity to do the job at all in my opinion !

I've read that the water pumps are quite prone to leaking apparently.

[ian zs180]

Nice work there pal I do love that zed it just looks awesome

[Big-Jay]

Ok guys,

Gave her a good service today. Here's the service items I bought -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsadjoeeoa.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsadjoeeoa.jpg.html)

So first job was to warm her up a bit and then drain the old oil and remove the filter -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsgid7vtha.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsgid7vtha.jpg.html)

Now when I was doing the timing belts I had to remove the dipstick tube which was heavily corroded in place, in the process I destroyed the plastic clip that sits in the hole the dipstick goes into. I popped down to my local scrappy yesterday and removed a replacement from a ZT KV6 amongst a few other things, this is the clip (don't actually know the correct name for it) -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zpswwgg5xgs.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zpswwgg5xgs.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsxixwhbn4.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsxixwhbn4.jpg.html)

And fitted in place -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsp6s1jg5j.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsp6s1jg5j.jpg.html)

Happy with that it was time to fill her up with some fresh oil. I pre filled the oil filter first and spread a slick of oil on the rubber ring to aid removal on the next oil change -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsksrwnqxf.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsksrwnqxf.jpg.html)

Then added the oil -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg8_zpsgmnmo6gh.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg8_zpsgmnmo6gh.jpg.html)

Fuel filter replaced and ready to be refitted -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsneqixcij.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsneqixcij.jpg.html)

And Ive also done a coolant change too. She's running really nice now, just the plugs and the other fluids to change, (clutch, brake, power steering) plus the rear timing belts and that should keep her happy for a few thousand miles !

I've also removed the middle section of the exhaust today as there was an horrendous rattle due to the hangers being broken. Here it is -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpskifzmzbg.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpskifzmzbg.jpg.html)

Problem area -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpslmerqnb3.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpslmerqnb3.jpg.html)

I'll have a look to see what metal tubing I've got lying around in the garage tomorrow and see if I can weld a new bracket on.

The exhaust shield's seen better days too so I'll look at sourcing a replacement -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg11_zpsv0mubm3l.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg11_zpsv0mubm3l.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg12_zpsnshme4fc.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg12_zpsnshme4fc.jpg.html)

Jay.

[Big-Jay]

Nice work there pal I do love that zed it just looks awesome

Cheers bud,

Yeh she's a real looker !

[Maxfly]

More great progress jay, brilliant seeing the care and attention you giving her. Empty garage here :(, i have even resorted to putting the works corsavan in it lol (apparently Claire's Astra is scared of spiders& mice, although I suspect that's just her:). )

[talkingcars]

Happy with that it was time to fill her up with some fresh oil. I pre filled the oil filter first and spread a slick of oil on the rubber ring to aid removal on the next oil change -

I thought that was to help it seal?

[Big-Jay]

I've been up to the garage today and repaired the exhaust hanger. I found some steel rod amongst our scrap metal pile and cut it roughly to size and bent it into shape. It's a bit thinner then the original rod that was used before but should do the job perfectly -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsxuddnymb.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsxuddnymb.jpg.html)

I ground off what was left of the hold hanger and clamped the new one into place -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsmazcy4nz.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsmazcy4nz.jpg.html)

Then welded it, cut it down to the correct lengths either side and applied a bit of zinc -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsdwkq26rz.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsdwkq26rz.jpg.html)

I've refitted the heat shield until I can find a better replacement but It's all back together again now and rattle free I'm happy to say !

Jay.

[Big-Jay]

More great progress jay, brilliant seeing the care and attention you giving her. Empty garage here :(, i have even resorted to putting the works corsavan in it lol (apparently Claire's Astra is scared of spiders& mice, although I suspect that's just her:). )

Cheers Gary :).

You need something to fill the void the ZS has left but I definitely don't think it's corsa shaped haha !

I thought that was to help it seal?

Applying oil to the rubber gasket does nothing in terms of sealing it no, it allows the rubber gasket to slide easier on the housing without 'grabbing' it which in turn makes it easier to do up and tighten by hand which then allows it to be removed easier in the future.

Jay.

[talkingcars]

Applying oil to the rubber gasket does nothing in terms of sealing it no, it allows the rubber gasket to slide easier on the housing without 'grabbing' it which in turn makes it easier to do up and tighten by hand which then allows it to be removed easier in the future.

Jay.

Cheers Jay - you learn something new everyday.

[jc600]

Nice Zed, keep up the good work. :D

[peterzs]

Cracking car you have there, what a interesting read, glad to see such good pics and all you have done so far!!

:smile1::smile1::smile1:

[hansligg]

looking to get a service done on my 180 sometime this month, but wondering to see what spark plugs you get first and how easy they are to remove old sparks and replace as ive heard its quite a delicate procedure in a 180

[Big-Jay]

Nice Zed, keep up the good work. :D

Cheers bud !

Cracking car you have there, what a interesting read, glad to see such good pics and all you have done so far!!

:smile1::smile1::smile1:

Thanks mate !

looking to get a service done on my 180 sometime this month, but wondering to see what spark plugs you get first and how easy they are to remove old sparks and replace as ive heard its quite a delicate procedure in a 180

Hi hansligg,

I'll be getting these plugs - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6x-NGK-IRIDIUM-IX-UPGRADE-Spark-Plugs-MG-ZS-180-2-5-KV6-01-No-3764-/360475871018

Being NGK you know you'll be getting a quality plug and good longevity being iridium. I've done a bit of research on the subject of changing the plugs, the fronts are straight forward to change, it's looks as if the rear bank will be the difficult ones.

I'll take a few pictures of the process and then stick them up on here when I'm done !

Jay.

[grimmy]

Cheers bud !



Thanks mate !



Hi hansligg,

I'll be getting these plugs - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6x-NGK-IRIDIUM-IX-UPGRADE-Spark-Plugs-MG-ZS-180-2-5-KV6-01-No-3764-/360475871018

Being NGK you know you'll be getting a quality plug and good longevity being iridium. I've done a bit of research on the subject of changing the plugs, the fronts are straight forward to change, it's looks as if the rear bank will be the difficult ones.

I'll take a few pictures of the process and then stick them up on here when I'm done !

Jay.

The rears aren't that bad to be honest.using the correct tools makes it as easy as any others.

[talkingcars]

If you have a universal joint extension to fit your socket and can do things by feel the rear plugs are as easy as the front ones.

[Big-Jay]

The rears aren't that bad to be honest.using the correct tools makes it as easy as any others.

If you have a universal joint extension to fit your socket and can do things by feel the rear plugs are as easy as the front ones.

Cheers guys, that's good to know !

I'll dig my UJ out of the garage ready for when I get the plugs then.

Jay.

[Big-Jay]

Hi guys,

Been down to the scrappy this weekend to pull a drivers side arch liner of a scrap ZS as the one on mine was broken.

Decided to change it out yesterday but when I removed what was left of the old one it all looked a bit crusty so I removed the wing to get a better look -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpskxzucr3b.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpskxzucr3b.jpg.html)

After a quick session with the wire cup on my grinder these are the results. The holes for the plastic screw clips that hold the arch liner up have rotted out -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsep5wkyos.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsep5wkyos.jpg.html)

So I cut out the rot -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpszaxrgdrt.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpszaxrgdrt.jpg.html)

This is where I was planning to weld some new metal in but to be honest I hate patch welding and would rather replace the complete panel if possible. So I had a quick look through rimmer brothers and found that I could buy the complete genuine valence reinforcement panel to the tune of £2.71 for the drivers side and £2.83 for the passengers which has also rotted out in the same place. Safe to say these are now ordered and on the the way.

Here's a link to rimmers website, the panels are numbers 6 & 7 if anyone was wondering - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID003339

So now it's just a case of drilling out a few spot welds and replacing the complete panels. A bit more work but it'll be a much tidier job.

I removed the side skirt to have a closer look at the condition underneath -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsufpfzoti.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsufpfzoti.jpg.html)

All looked good with no rust what so ever until we got to the jacking point which looked very suspect -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsrbd77tx0.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsrbd77tx0.jpg.html)

Went at it with the grinder which revealed this -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsunnmyqo2.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsunnmyqo2.jpg.html)

I've very roughly cut the worst of the rot out and sprayed a bit of zinc primer on for the time being until I source some thicker gauge steel to repair this area -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpshq1bvybj.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpshq1bvybj.jpg.html)

To be fair, I was expecting it to be worse than what it was but its really not too bad at all, believe me I've seen a lot worse !

I haven't checked the passenger side jacking point yet but I'm guessing it's probably going to be in similar condition.

[Dan1971]

Well .... at least you found it and have the ability to repair it. For me - it'd get spotted at the MOT and then cost me the value of the car to get it repaired.

:bow:

[top_man_eldo]

Good job there, always wanted to have a go at welding. Might be worth having a look inside the inner sills and checking what they're like. Mine had rotted out severely.

[Maxfly]

Christ that's scary seeing holes in her like that but that's proper job repairs your doing bud. Good work!

[Rockey5uk2001]

Seen this far in the flesh last week.

Looks good!

top guy too!

[talkingcars]

So now it's just a case of drilling out a few spot welds and replacing the complete panels. A bit more work but it'll be a much tidier job..

It'll probably be quicker spot welding in the new panel than seam welding all the way around the patches.

[talkingcars]

......always wanted to have a go at welding....

Check out your local FE college, I've been doing city and guilds at evening classes, £300 for a term, decent equipment to use and I can weld 10 times better than when I started.

[top_man_eldo]

Check out your local FE college, I've been doing city and guilds at evening classes, £300 for a term, decent equipment to use and I can weld 10 times better than when I started.

Cheers, I'll look into that for definite.

[Big-Jay]

Took the passenger side wing and skirt off today, just as bad as the other side unfortunately, I was expecting this though -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsbps1bvu6.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsbps1bvu6.jpg.html)

Here's the valence reinforcement panel after a quick wire brush -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsnk7v5qbh.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsnk7v5qbh.jpg.html)

Jacking point before -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsckyhrl2t.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsckyhrl2t.jpg.html)

After, sprayed some zinc on to stop it rusting in the mean time -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsinnumkcl.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsinnumkcl.jpg.html)

Also the bottom corner didn't look too good this side either -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zps0gw5fhab.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zps0gw5fhab.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zpsxglffkld.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zpsxglffkld.jpg.html)

Rest of the sill looked sound though -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg7_zpsxa1nxclt.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg7_zpsxa1nxclt.jpg.html)

Same can't be said for the metal brackets that hold the skirt on, crumbled to nothing when I removed it, will look at getting some stainless ones made up or buy some off the shelf if I can find any.

Looks like I'll be busy with the welder this weekend !

Jay.

[Supercharged_Z]

I remember my old 02 plate ZS was looking rough on the jacking points and that was 2010 ish, these cars are old now :( fair play to you for doing this though a lot of people would scrap

[Big-Jay]

Well .... at least you found it and have the ability to repair it. For me - it'd get spotted at the MOT and then cost me the value of the car to get it repaired.

:bow:

Yeh that's usually the case, part of the reason I taught myself how to do my own bodywork and what not.

Good job there, always wanted to have a go at welding. Might be worth having a look inside the inner sills and checking what they're like. Mine had rotted out severely.

Cheers mate,

From what I can see the inner sills are looking good, looks like someone's put plenty of wax in there in the past.

Christ that's scary seeing holes in her like that but that's proper job repairs your doing bud. Good work!

Cheers Gary,

It's all essential work unfortunately, but after its done it'll be a solid rust free ZS for many years to come hopefully !

It'll probably be quicker spot welding in the new panel than seam welding all the way around the patches.

That was my thinking. I don't actually own a spot welder so I'll be plug welding them on instead. Essentially does the same job, just have a bit of linishing down to do afterwards.

I remember my old 02 plate ZS was looking rough on the jacking points and that was 2010 ish, these cars are old now :( fair play to you for doing this though a lot of people would scrap

Cheers bud,

Would be out of the question to scrap her, it's really quite an easy/minor job to be honest and when it's done it should be solid for a good few years !

[Rockey5uk2001]

Ps thanks for three wheels; )

[Big-Jay]

Ps thanks for three wheels; )

Ahh, missed your comment dude !

So your the guy that came for the 11 spokes then, small world lmao !

Hope you enjoy them bud !

Jay.

[Rockey5uk2001]

Still in the shed at the mo.... don't know how to break it to the wife....

[talkingcars]

Still in the shed at the mo.... don't know how to break it to the wife....

Tell her it was cheaper than new tyres?

Or when I got the 18's it just so happened to be the same weekend that I sold and delivered an exhaust, it was really lucky to find the guy who'd bought the exhaust had some wheels for sale or so I told Mrs TC. ;)

[Maxfly]

That's the second set of sideskirt brackets that have rotted away, sure Kev replaced them all about 2 years before I bought it.
Is it a build up of grime that causes the rust at that part of the jacking points/sills? Would have thought that those areas would be protected by the skirts and the exposed areas would be more susceptible.
Lesson learnt, in future remove sideskirts whenever treating zs's for rust!

[Big-Jay]

Ok guys,

Big update !

Carrying on from where I left off, I cut out the rot from the jacking point -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zps1ahua8es.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zps1ahua8es.jpg.html)

I gave the inner sill a good wire brushing back to bare metal where it had corroded -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zps36iquyul.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zps36iquyul.jpg.html)

Then I used some Deox Gel to remove any left over rust -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsu1q4muhl.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsu1q4muhl.jpg.html)

Left it to soak over night under some cling film so it didn't dry out -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsqdli5lob.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsqdli5lob.jpg.html)

Zinc primed after the Deox Gel had done its thing -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg8_zpsiijepkhj.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg8_zpsiijepkhj.jpg.html)

Plate made up, welded in and she's nice and solid again -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg9_zpsquic57dq.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg9_zpsquic57dq.jpg.html)

Rinse and repeat for the passenger side -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsplluydpf.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsplluydpf.jpg.html)

Happy with that I decided to attack the under arch with the wire brush to remove the masses of underseal -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsii054oz0.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsii054oz0.jpg.html)

Was all going well until...Oh dear -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsv3gzo9gi.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsv3gzo9gi.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpswu4nedjc.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpswu4nedjc.jpg.html)

Unfortunately rimmer brothers let me down on the valence reinforcement panels so I had to source them else where, A.E Wilcox & Son MG dealers to be precise. Luckily they also had the crossmember closing panel for the R/H side too. So a trip down to Bristol and I came back with these -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsr0tddxxc.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsr0tddxxc.jpg.html)

I've had to source the L/H side reinforcement panel from the Netherlands as no where in the UK has one in stock, this is due to be delivered hopefully on Tuesday.

I decided to start with the reinforcement panel, here it is removed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zps2xw9fn1v.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zps2xw9fn1v.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsags4qn4p.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsags4qn4p.jpg.html)

I ground down the left over metal from the spot weld cutter and gave the bare metal a coat of zinc -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsrcbs5dnk.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsrcbs5dnk.jpg.html)

Holes drilled in the new panel ready for plug welding -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpskchruxlx.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpskchruxlx.jpg.html)

Welded on, ground down and zinc primed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsl4tco0gy.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsl4tco0gy.jpg.html)

Happy with that I removed the closing panel, was a real PITA but got it off in the end. The box section behind is in perfect condition -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zps8yqlvuxq.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zps8yqlvuxq.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpskvjltxyg.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpskvjltxyg.jpg.html)

Comparison of the new panel and the old -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsc05tj2t9.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsc05tj2t9.jpg.html)

Zinc primed the back of the new panel -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpswir8pnul.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpswir8pnul.jpg.html)

And then I welded it in, I forgot to take pictures of the finished thing though so there's a bit of a jump here.

I then wire brushed the whole under arch back to bare metal and zinc primed the lot -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpse36il7jm.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpse36il7jm.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsym2qg1we.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsym2qg1we.jpg.html)

Next I used tiger seal to re-seal all of the seams and then gave it three coat's of Gravigard stone chip -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsfbjtossj.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsfbjtossj.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zps6qtfwoqf.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zps6qtfwoqf.jpg.html)

And then a couple of coats of X-Power Grey (or so it says on the tin) -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsybgmlqhz.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsybgmlqhz.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zps2knjo8c4.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zps2knjo8c4.jpg.html)

I've also given it a coating of Bilt Hambers clear wax and I've used S-50 in the cavities so she should last a good few years !

Just got to repeat it for the passenger side now, I've already removed the reinforcement panel in prep for the new one and the box section closing panel this side is looking in better condition -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsxbbzqvd6.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsxbbzqvd6.jpg.html)

I've purchased a few other bits I required over the last couple of weeks too. When I removed the mudflap from the drivers side the body kit was cracked and ended up breaking off so I bought a new old stock body kit piece from eBay, here it is next to my wing -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsioudoloi.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsioudoloi.jpg.html)

I also purchased a new passenger side skirt from rimmer brothers in primer for a whole £8.00, bargain ! -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsltusslgq.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsltusslgq.jpg.html)

Funnily enough the clips have been replaced with plastic ones, must of been a known problem that the clips rusted to nothing so they changed the design I suppose -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpslsqibpzl.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpslsqibpzl.jpg.html)

I've now had both of those painted along with the R/H wing -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zpsqprox65n.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zpsqprox65n.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zps1nh2hm9n.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zps1nh2hm9n.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsvba37plc.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsvba37plc.jpg.html)

That's all the progress I've made so far, will update again when I've got the passenger side done !

Jay.

[Roverlike]

Excellent thread and progress to follow. I admire your work :thumbsup:

[Big-Jay]

Still in the shed at the mo.... don't know how to break it to the wife....

Lmao !

I'd take Talkingcars advice, sounds about right ;)

That's the second set of sideskirt brackets that have rotted away, sure Kev replaced them all about 2 years before I bought it.
Is it a build up of grime that causes the rust at that part of the jacking points/sills? Would have thought that those areas would be protected by the skirts and the exposed areas would be more susceptible.
Lesson learnt, in future remove sideskirts whenever treating zs's for rust!

Hi Gary,

The drivers side skirt brackets were replaced with stainless so they're fine, the passenger side wasn't though unfortunately.

To be fair there's quite a few layers of metal that meet at the jacking point area so if water were to get in there, which is the case here, then corrosion is inevitable as it would sit between the layers and take longer to dry out. I see where your coming from regarding the skirts as the rest of the sill that's protected by the skirt is mint.

[Big-Jay]

Excellent thread and progress to follow. I admire your work :thumbsup:

Cheers bud !

[Lukeus101]

Awesome work on that rot mate!

[petet16]

It's way better protected than it was at build, I've used loads of the Bilt Hamber products, I've been really impressed with them.

[LozMachine]

Briiliant work happening there :bow:, makes me wonder if there will ever be repair panels available in the future like the mgb etc are catered for, looks like most 45/zs are going to go through this at some point , especially the front jacking points/floor area , had to weld a patch in my 02 plate for the mot and to be fair the whole area looks pretty terrible lol
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/MollyWheezes/MgZS/20160311_134203_zpsdfej6rhm.jpg (http://s278.photobucket.com/user/MollyWheezes/media/MgZS/20160311_134203_zpsdfej6rhm.jpg.html)

[Maxfly]

Just wow! Great work again Jay, the quality of what your doing looks great. I look forward to the next update which will hopefully have no more corrosion appearing.

[Big-Jay]

Awesome work on that rot mate!

Thanks Buddy !

It's way better protected than it was at build, I've used loads of the Bilt Hamber products, I've been really impressed with them.

Cheers bud !

Can't fault Bilt Hambers Stuff, tried many different brands and products but I always return. Their Deox C rust remover, the one you dilute in water, is excellent stuff too !

Briiliant work happening there :bow:, makes me wonder if there will ever be repair panels available in the future like the mgb etc are catered for, looks like most 45/zs are going to go through this at some point , especially the front jacking points/floor area , had to weld a patch in my 02 plate for the mot and to be fair the whole area looks pretty terrible lol

Thanks mate !

I'd love to see some reproduction panels being produced for the ZS as the ones that were left over from the factory are spread few and far between now, took me ages and many many phone calls to find the ones I needed. Unfortunately I can't see it happening just yet, I don't think there's a big enough calling at the moment. I did try having a look on a few Honda Civic websites as I know that's what the 45/ZS is based on but I had no luck there either.

That's not too bad for an 02 plate, I've seen worse !

Just wow! Great work again Jay, the quality of what your doing looks great. I look forward to the next update which will hopefully have no more corrosion appearing.

Thanks Gary :)

Just the roof left to sort now but I've booked her in for the last week of April for that as I have some time off work and I don't need to use the car until after that anyway. I don't think they'll be any more corrosion to find after this, I've had a good dig around the rear end and all looks excellent there, looks as if just the front end suffered. The rear arches will get the same treatment as this, back to bare metal, Zinc primed, Gravigarded, painted and waxed, in the summer.

[LozMachine]

Brilliant mate, a real devotion to the brand, hat's off to ya fella ��

[Big-Jay]

Ok guys, I have an update !

Finally got my panel from the Netherlands, took longer than it should have due to customs delays I believe, but I received it non the less -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpscjciniic.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpscjciniic.jpg.html)

Got the holes drilled in it and zinc primed the edges -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpswfrb3ylg.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpswfrb3ylg.jpg.html)

Bit of a jump but I got that welded in place and I also had a couple of areas to repair which consisted of a small hole in the valence closing panel and another in the lower corner of the flitch. No pictures of those unfortunately as I got caught in the moment and forgot to take some. Here's a couple of pictures of the finished area after being Zinc Primed, Gravigarded, Painted and Waxed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zps55a5jzbh.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zps55a5jzbh.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsdd8zqmsy.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsdd8zqmsy.jpg.html)

Happy with that I got her back together and gave her a much needed wash -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zps2upmsqxs.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zps2upmsqxs.jpg.html)

I've also had the spare alloy that came with the car blasted and coated gloss black as the rear drivers alloy had corrosion under the powder coat and was a bit worse for wear -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsn97bzi66.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsn97bzi66.jpg.html)

That's been fitted and all four wheels are now mint. I also changed the front passenger side tyre for a new Hankook Ventus V12 as the one that was on there had a chunk out the side wall so now all four tyres match.

I've had to change the clutch slave cylinder for a new one as the one that was on the car was leaking quite badly -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg8_zpsowyoltty.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg8_zpsowyoltty.jpg.html)

Was a nice easy job though, only took 10 minutes including a fluid change. Clutch now feels a million times better !

I also stripped down the air filter and cleaned it as I noticed there was a small amount of oil leaking from it -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsbxhmdwpb.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsbxhmdwpb.jpg.html)

That's all been done over the last month or so and I've been using the car regularly for a few weeks now. I must say she's an absolute pleasure to drive, especially through the twisty countryside lanes near me, she handles like she's on rails. I love it !

This weekend has consisted of a good detailing session including Clay Bar, Polish and Wax as the paint work was seriously contaminated after the work I done on the front end. Here's a few shots after a couple of days graft -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpsf6mkq5oz.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpsf6mkq5oz.jpg.html)

Got a decent shine -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zpsmtvnqhxd.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zpsmtvnqhxd.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zpsv2xntka6.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zpsv2xntka6.jpg.html)

After the roofs been done I'll get my rotary polisher out and do a proper job on the paint, hopefully I should get some real shine then !

I had a drive down to the MG/Rover factory in Longbridge today and took a few shots of her up on the display plinth outside the factory gates -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg1_zps6ngkp8s6.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg1_zps6ngkp8s6.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg2_zpstdvcuzvs.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg2_zpstdvcuzvs.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg3_zps8k7iwrhj.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg3_zps8k7iwrhj.jpg.html)

And a couple next to what remains of a conveyer tunnel and the old underground tunnels -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg4_zps1qvguw2t.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg4_zps1qvguw2t.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg6_zpsu0nll8kd.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg6_zpsu0nll8kd.jpg.html)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab106/jaybcfc/image.jpg5_zpsatd6ghbz.jpg (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/jaybcfc/media/image.jpg5_zpsatd6ghbz.jpg.html)

That's all the pictures I've got up to this point, I've had to change the date she was booked in to have the roof sorted to the end of this month so I'll have some pictures of that when its all sorted !

Jay.

[Dan1971]

Looking good mate. :thumbsup:

[MG ZS STE]

Theyre great cars. Good to see how much work is going into preserving this one for many years. Are you sticking with original colour for the roof?

[Skillen]

Looks like all the XPG's are getting some love! Good to see the preservation work being put in now while it's just a few bits here and there!

[Maxfly]

Delighted to see her looking fantastic there Jay, its some amount of work you have put in to getting here back into shape and even now an excellent result with more to come. Great to hear your enjoying the drive, that's a big plus point of these with many others :)

[jc600]

Looking good mate, top work! :D

[Big-Jay]

Brilliant mate, a real devotion to the brand, hat's off to ya fella ��

Cheers bud,

Always had a soft spot for the MG/Rover brand.

Looking good mate. :thumbsup:

Thanks mate !

Theyre great cars. Good to see how much work is going into preserving this one for many years. Are you sticking with original colour for the roof?

Agreed, they're cracking cars !

I'll be sticking with XPG for the roof yeh.

Looks like all the XPG's are getting some love! Good to see the preservation work being put in now while it's just a few bits here and there!

It seems they are !

Better to deal with the issues now then later down the line when it becomes serious.

Delighted to see her looking fantastic there Jay, its some amount of work you have put in to getting here back into shape and even now an excellent result with more to come. Great to hear your enjoying the drive, that's a big plus point of these with many others :)

Cheers Gary,

It's took a fair bit of time but it's all worth it now she's back on the road !

Looking good mate, top work! :D

Cheers bud !

[Skillen]

It seems they are !

Better to deal with the issues now then later down the line when it becomes serious.


Had a good tap around mine when it was all apart and it all seems pretty good! Was pretty suprised but most of its life was down south before I got it and sealed it up in the boxes before using it a lot at the border

Wonder if it was because it was from across th border with wetter weather and more salt on the roads?

Should last ages now though!

[ZS Phil]

What an effort, top work.
Saw this drive past at this years POL, instantly recognisable with the black spoiler.

[Big-Jay]

Had a good tap around mine when it was all apart and it all seems pretty good! Was pretty suprised but most of its life was down south before I got it and sealed it up in the boxes before using it a lot at the border

Wonder if it was because it was from across th border with wetter weather and more salt on the roads?

Should last ages now though!

My thinking exactly !

I believe it'd gone like it had due to the harsher weather up north, and like you say the salt has a big part to play in it too.

I went to pick a few bits up the other day from a chap called Tony who deals with these cars, and he had a partially stripped yellow ZS (front end removed) up on some ramps. Had a look around it and couldn't believe how solid it was ! He said he'd never seen one go where mine had before, making exception for the jacking points of course.

Anyway, I suppose it's all redundant now as she's been repaired with fresh panels so should last me a good long while hopefully !

What an effort, top work.
Saw this drive past at this years POL, instantly recognisable with the black spoiler.

Cheers bud,

Gutted it was cancelled this year ! Even though people still parked up on the road outside it just wasn't the same.

Didn't stay long though as it was all getting a bit hectic, seen a good few close calls whilst I was there so thought better of it !

[grimmy]

It's coming along nicely well done you for bringing it back to its best.

[Big-Jay]

It's coming along nicely well done you for bringing it back to its best.

Cheers mate !