I feel really bad about this. During my time it was always well behaved. The miles I drove in it from Dan's and the funeral it was faultless. If I had the money and the room I'd have it back as I miss it, it looks superb. I really don't know what to say.

Just told Kathy (the good lady) and she is shocked. Still says I was daft to sell it as she says I've gone backwards with the recent purchase. She's not wrong, T16 needs some work as nowhere near as good as I envisaged. I don't think it was looked after when stored.

That's unfortunate Matt, £325 for 4 hours labour is criminal !

Sounds to me like you could potentially have an air lock in the system which is stopping the coolant from circulating.

It's a real shame your so far from me otherwise I'd happily take a look for you !

Hi Mick,
please don't feel bad, its just my bad luck. Ive had a stinker over the last year, Kawasaki engine blew up, then I got my Triumph stolen and crashed my dads bike, ZTT engine blew up on the way home from buying it and 2 non fault crashes in my MG3....
If I could keep the ZS just to look at it every morning I would! Its simply stunning and a credit to former owners. The car is one of the best ZS's I've seen and driven, but its not worked out. Had to stay at work until 7 just so I knew all the rush hour traffic had cleared. Its more than likely something small but I can't sink another £300 into it, its cost me over £600 already. It wasn't bought for commuting, but thought id give it run before a potential track day in a few weeks and to check everything over. The best run was the day I bought it, loved that drive home. I knew there would be ups and downs on a 13 year old, heavily modified car, its just unfortunate that I've had a bad start to 180 ownership. To top it off, the ZT160 has failed the MOT and needs thousands spending. I have to laugh or id cry!
Again, no disrespect to previous owners, its just a post to air my frustration.

Surely there must be some local enthusiast's over your way that could help take a look??

is rad hot or just the pipe work?
coolant still in tank?

catch 22 when selling a car as your going to get offered peanuts for a 180 with overheating issues :-(

P.

Coolant is still at the same level it left the garage with, so it's not lost any. It's had a full check over at the garage and all the right tests. I can't get it down until Thursday now so will have to wait and see. Hoping it's something simple. Just strange that the temp gauge went down when I put the heating on, suggesting a different issue.
Gutted, as I wanted to take it to the BTCC media day next week.
It's probably worth more in bits but I couldn't do that with all the work that's been carried out.

Frustrating but it sounds simple, like an airlock somewhere.

Gutted for you mate.

But .....

Don't be afraid to say it's rubbish. Previous owners have done their best to look after it and modify it, but maybe it's at the time of it's life where it gets a heart transplant - plenty of 180 engines out there. If that's not for you then you'll get pants offers for it selling it with an unknown fault and your experience will be even worse.

You're right to say that it'd be worth more in bits - and it would - by miles. The exhaust and leather interior would likely get you £500+ . Don't be anxious just because previous owners are here, you decide what's right for you mate. If it is strip it to get some money back - do it. If anyone slates you for it, I'm sure you'd listen to offers from them for it.

I don't mean to be harsh but with the luck you've had in terms of your motoring/motorcycling would mean to me that you need to cut your losses and make some tough decisions.

I would have it back, but fear there would be two more ZS's up for sale when the owner was found expired under strange circumstances!

It sounds to me like there is an airlock, or something related to the pressure in the system. (thermostat working correctly?)

If you've paid a garage to sort out the issue, then I'd expect them to sort out the issue. 4 hours to find and change one piece of pipe is quite steep IMO. Allow them the mileage to give the car a good run - that should solve the "we fixed it mate" type comments, and give you the confidence that they've actually sorted it this time round.

I'm so glad the L-series has ZERO issues when bleeding the system, the amount of coolant I've lost over the years, and had to top it up, I'd have got even fewer miles done than I have lol.

As to selling, I'd honestly say don't be too hasty, I think you've had a really **** run of luck, but I don't believe for a second you've bought a lemon... if your garage can't sort it, maybe organise a "come to my house to fix my car day" or look to get a different set of mechanics to look at it?