My MG ZS repair diary

[talkingcars]

Originally Posted by dida4g

My thread is now Photobucket free.

Nice one, where are the photos now?

[dida4g]

Photos on Imgur.

Now with all this extra power my minor coolant problem got major.
I got a new cap a few years ago but I was still loosing coolant, so I used plumbers tape on the tank threads with the new cap, seemed ok. Found a 2nd hand tank and cap on ebay, fitted it, no leaks, happy days.
A week later, radiator is bulging at the sides and leaking, I thought nothing of it, 2nd hand radiator lasted 6 years, got another in the shed. Fitted that, drove 23miles to work, checking for leaks, this Rad is bulging too, I'm thinking, is it the head gasket?
I fitted a new thermostat and seal I had which meant remove oil cooler, built it all back up, the oil cooler is now leaking.
EBay £30 later, fit 2nd hand oil cooler, build it all back up, drive to work got halfway there and radiator leaking.
eBay £22 later, fit 2nd hand Radiator fill with coolant however this time I reused the new cap, it was only then I realized the underside of the caps were different, the one on it had a white dome piece, the new cap fit the tank better too.

In a nutshell my MG has really tested my patience these past few weeks.
(It almost had a for sale sign on it)
I've driven it 60+ miles and it hasn't lost a drop of coolant so fingers crossed.

[Lukeus101]

Keeping the fingers crossed mate

[p_b82]

fingers crossed indeed... I feel your coolant woes!

given that exhaust gas -> coolant is the likely HG failure method on the L-series it could be worth keeping an eye on the colour of your coolant.... if it starts to get dark and murky, it is probably the HG.....

I drove mine 10k miles with it compromised - so if it is, it is thankfully not "urgent" as long as you keep the coolant levels at the right points!

If you noticed that your engine is running louder/lumpier it could be the timing solenoid is failing, I know that can give the car too much advance and ultimately result in HGF even on standard tune without any mods....

[Dan1971]

Bravo ....

[dida4g]

FREE STUFF for ZS.


Halfords roof rack also fits r45, r400 and mbCIVIC.
Mk2 headlights.
Diesel aux pulley.

Pick up only in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Email me dida4g.kj@gmail.com with your No. and I'll text you back.

[talkingcars]

I treat header tank caps as a service item.

[dida4g]

I've ordered a new cap from DMGRS because coolant has been trying to escape. It happened going up a minor ish hill in 5th, temp shot up to 107c, heaters went cold. Got to a flat road, temp dropped, heaters came back.
My car is not liking any LOAD whatsoever so I thought I'll turn the boost down from 19psi. I've rotated the actuator 360 degrees, took it for a spin.
Auto Meter guage and elm327/Torque App both say high 18psi, once I got it to 19.2.
I'm going to knock it back again 180 degrees later and see how it goes.

[dida4g]

I'm in Club 200.

Woohoo.

[dida4g]

12 months MOT Again.
Woohoo.