Generic_Username's Generic_Questions thread

[danbmx_69]

what was it out of intrest?

[Mike Noc]

Could it be the radio permanent live and switched live connected the wrong way round?

[generic_username]

I've bought a RadioGuy unit from another member, however it arrived with a mystery wiring loom that worked, but wouldn't incorporate the steering controls.

Sean and Jeff (CoolCat) picked up on this from the pictures I uploaded on here and provided me with the correct loom.

I'm my excitement to fit it I've basically fitted the new leads to the wrong wrong leads that were still connected to the car's own wiring.

..Probably lucky not to have started a fire actually!

[generic_username]

Guys, I appear to have a water leak.

That in itself won't surprise you, nor did it me.

However, the location of the leak is cause for concern as it appears to be coming from behind the gearbox (The obvious concern is having to remove the gearbox to get to it).

- Is there a known 'leaking point' in that area?

Car is a 1.8.

Thanks all.

[generic_username]

If I've interpreted what you've said correctly, I don't think it's from the plenum as there's anti-freeze present in what's leaked onto the floor.

If I've got that wrong, I'll have a second attempt - Plenum was 'rodded' clear about a month ago so no blockage possibility.

[generic_username]

No it's actually slightly above max.

Basically, it's been needing 1/4 pint of coolant every 100 miles (approx / mostly short journeys).

The following may help;

Tuesday took it 200 miles to Colwyn Bay, stopped after 100 miles, gave it an hour to cool down. Checked coolant and all I got was hissing and some coolant spewing out.

Replaced lost coolant + a little bit more. Checked at Colwyn Bay - Coolant hadn't moved.

Drove it 200 miles back without stopping - hadn't used any.

Strange behaviour isn't it. My thinking may be that the leaking relates to the number of journeys, not the length of them.

[chrissyboy]

Originally Posted by generic_username

I'm resurrecting this thread as I'm still apparently no closer to actually buying a ZT...I've been checking the big 3 (Ebay/AutoTrader/Gumtree) like a Hawk for neigh on 6 months now.

I think one of the causes of my procrastination is not knowing which model to go for. I've come to the following conclusions -are they about right?

1.8

- None of you seem to like it
- The flaw is the HG.
- A lot of them are poverty spec?
- Don't wear high mileage well?

(The truth is, this one on paper would suit me the most because the MPG isn't that bad, they're cheap to buy and it's a lot cheaper for me to insure)

1.8T

- An apparent consensus that this engine is a bit of a timebomb, the 1.8 isn't a suitable block to attach a turbo to?

- Any mucking about with the Turbo ie. dumpvalve is just asking for it.

- This concept that one of these aforementioned parts can fail and take other bit with it. The cost effectively writes the car off.

190

- Very popular on here.

- The flaw is the belt design but aside from that, the 190 appears to be the most reliable of the range but don't wear high mileage well?

- The real-world figure for MPG is below manufacturers stated amount?

Diesels

- The clutch can be expensive, various sensors go wrong. It will get great MPG but fixing the faults can be on par with 1.8 HGF/ 190 belts cost?

- Will wear high mileage well.

260

- Yeh I wish..


Colour


i) Why is Black so elusive?

Especially on the MK1, was black offered on MK1s aside from the 260? The nearest colour appears to be this anthracite grey? Black is my preferred colour.

the 18t is the best vaiant ,a looked after one would be great .you can pick one up that needs a new hg for as little as £300.my one i had for 3 years was trouble free once i sorted the cooling system, in the first 3 months i had a hose pop every month .had the system bled by machine i might add .in the end i bled it the old fashion way which sorted it out once and for all. power of the car was amazing fo a big heavy car with only an 18 engine in it.never cost me a penny for any repairs ,never broke down ,never missed a beat .a really good minter would be in the region of £1500/£1700. the diesel is the most unreliable one .non stating and just lets you down again and again.i would get an auto and not a manual.

[danbmx_69]

Originally Posted by chrissyboy

in the first 3 months i had a hose pop every month .

this sounds like my car.......

[suzublu]

Originally Posted by generic_username

Guys, I appear to have a water leak.

That in itself won't surprise you, nor did it me.

However, the location of the leak is cause for concern as it appears to be coming from behind the gearbox (The obvious concern is having to remove the gearbox to get to it).

- Is there a known 'leaking point' in that area?

Car is a 1.8.

Thanks all.

Sounds like inlet manifold gasket,common on the 1.8.What happens is,when the engine is cold,the water leaks & drips down onto the bell housing & runs around the back,dripping to the floor,looks like it's coming from the gearbox,but it isn't.Then,when the engine is warm,everything expands with heat,& the leak stops.Sounds funny,but this is exactly what happened to mine.Replaced the inlet manifold with an all alloy vvc one,no more leaks

[generic_username]

Thanks very much, that's put my mind at ease