Firefrost 180

[Dan1971]

That rear bumper not worth selling ... ?

[M17TT180]

Originally Posted by MG ZS STE

Well the diesel donor car will be going tomorrow. Won't be sad to see this go, it's been tucked up the side by the garage for the last 18 months (can't believe it's been that long) but has proved a useful parts bin. It's also financed the entire restoration so far with the parts I've been able to remove and sell. Will put up some pics of the 180 soon.

Blimey think i've had 4-5 cars since I came and swapped the doors!

[talkingcars]

I've had 2 ZS's since 2008.

[MG ZS STE]

Finally had some free time this weekend to get on to changing the thermostat. Not been putting this off but i didn’t want to do this until id covered some few hundred miles to see how bad the oil leak was. You may remember these images from a while ago

Originally Posted by MG ZS STE

But, I also discovered that the engine requires A&E.

after id cleaned these areas up i was able to trace the leak to the cam seals. Evidently it was emanating from behind the covers. This is a very low mileage car and has been stood a bit. This can have a negative effect on rubber, particularly seals. So, after id done a flush and oil change i dropped a can of Wynn’s stop leak in. And after 300 miles this is the same areas.




I will monitor this closely as i go. So onto the thermostat. Id done my BRG 180 Mk2 thermostat a couple of years ago. Id done this the hard way, removing the manifold, inlets, fuel rail. What a ball ache. This time i thought id try to do it keyhole. Thermostat out using keyhole method.




a few random bits i had to clean out the V as the drain hole was blocked.



But all went back together easier than it came out. It was the 90 degree pipe again that had failed, same as on the last one i changed. Sheared at the block end.

As id got the car up i thought I’d tackle some rusty looking areas. Cleaned up really well considering how bad they first appeared. will paint and underseal this weekend which will be my earliest opportunity.





and whilst i was at it thought id test fit my ratech splitter seeing as no one wanted it, I think i'll keep it now.

[stamford]

It's surprising what you can find when poking about. I've found plenty!

[Dan1971]

Splitter looks good.

Good effort allround.

[talkingcars]

I'm sure the key hole method is less problematic after the number of problems people have had with the fuel rails. The biggest issue I had was lining the pipes up so they went back together.

[MG ZS STE]

Im considering selling up in the new year but still want to keep one of my zs’s as a second car. I will probably keep the BRG hatch as it’s a more practical car for tip runs ect. Looking at the 2.0l diesel Giulietta as a new daily driver and selling the Firefrost 180 saloon. Only trouble is ive no idea how to value it. Its no history, other than what you can find on the various forums. A CAT C, 1 FOB car. Sure it has all the nice modifications but doesn’t run as well as it should. Ive covered 1500 miles in it since it was MOT’d and although it’s a running and driving car its happier on a run than it is around town. Not sure if that’s because it’s got the 270 cams or the fuelling issue. Anyone any ideas what its worth? I know if I was to break it id get more than if I was to sell it whole but I don’t really want the hassle and it would be a shame.

[sneekyparrot]

Real tricky one steve. I just picked one up with 70k on it , service history , no MOT or radio etc. Needs some attention to a couple of bodywork panels but i only paid £450

To make any decent money you know u would have to break it.

Being honest if i saw the for sale on offers, with the history and engine running issues id offer them £500 tops. but you could make that in just selling the engine parts etc.

if its got an ITG filter setup id have that off you straight away :-)

tricky one?

P.

[Lukeus101]

Love the splitter mate