newbie looking for a little advice
 

morning all, i'm looking for a bit of advice. i've been offered a 2001 zs 180 saloon in a deal with my current ford but i haven't had any experience of these cars. are there any problems i need to be looking out for? what is the situation regarding the head gasket as i've heard they can be a problem on some of these? i don't particually want to get burned like i did with the tomcat turbo i had a few years ago, damn thing cost me about 1k in six months just in mechanical repairs. all your help will be greatly appreciated
cheers carl

morning mate, i've got a Mk1 52 plate ZS 180 with 78k miles on the clock and bought it new,, haven't had any serious problems with it, thermostat went a couple of months ago £225 to get fixed, VIS motors replaced last month, apart from that the car has been great....and its 7 years old today!!:beer2:

Hi and welcome Carl, Ive got a derv, so much help but Im sure others will fill you in.

From whay Ive gathered on here the Head gasket is not a problem on the V6, its the K series engines that give the problems.

There are a couple of motors that open up when you put your foot down, VIS plus something else, these seem to go but if you ask on here there is an easy (?) fix, clutch master and slave cylinders give a bit of problem but there is a kit to replace with an upgraded system.

Where abouts are you? if any one is nearby maybe they could have a drive and let you know if its any good.

.:hi::hi:

Like the others have said...

Head gasket - not normally a problem on the KV6, however the thermostat can go (i don't know if you can look into the bottom of the 'V' without taking off the plastic cover but the water / coolant mix lies there)

Timing belts - should already be done but just make sure (will cost in the region of £500 if they haven't)

VIS motors - Normally just a broken solder joint so can be fixed if you have the time. Some of us have fitted 'oil catch tanks' as damage limitation

Plenum - Can also fail (rattles and car is 'down on power'). No real 'quick fix' yet... Just a new one at £500. :(

Clutch / Slave - Can go but theres a 'Sheddist kit' to uprate it. Either £80 or £180 (can't remember which)

...am sure there are a few other things but that's most of the stuff summarised.

£500 for timing belts? is that at a dealer or an indie? if i do decide to get it i'll probably look into the oil catch tank

Thats both really, its a right pain in the neck job, trust me! :p

Best price I've seen recently is about £400

Whereabouts are you based dude, theres probably a member nearby which you can nosey round their car if you like :)

I have no idea what an Indie is, but i guess that price will kinda be an inbetween... If you are close to lates600 (www.lates600.com) he'll be a bit cheaper and have heard a lot of good stuff about his work. EMSltd posted a price a while back i think for what they charge but not sure what it was...

Indie - independant garage.

Basically not a dealer :thumbsup:

i'm in sunny essex but i have a guy that does work on all my previous cars. most of my dads side of the family use him (although not as often as me lol) so he's as much a friend as he is a mechanic. which means jobs i always get a special low rate, he managed the belt an my calibra v6 so if it needs doing i should imagine he'll be fine

i got my belts done last December at my local garage, not an ex dealer, and it was £450, didnt include the water pump though....