An happy 75 owner's blog - Page 4

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:10

A little add-on about the energy.

After setting a 24 kOhms resistor on the temperature sensor (actually 2 out of 4 wires of the MAP sensor), I'm now able to fill in full ethanol in the tanker.

In winter here in France they sell E85 with more petrol and less alcohol (approximately 70% ethanol, 30% petrol 95).

The 75 is still a treat to drive, no loss of power, no lamp switched on, I've just to turn the key twice to let the engine start. And mind you that we have -4°C to -2°C very often at the moment. Not too bad, the start on cold weather being the weak side of ethanol when the engine isn't designed to accept it from the factory.

Just to add that the engine is doing less MPG as expected : about 20% less, but the E85 price being 43% of the petrol one, it's a winning combination, isn't it?

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:12

The engine damaged by the ethanol? IMHO a humbug!
As long as the engine was built after 1995.
Some of the French ethanolist are driving cars clean & working fine since 2007, some with hundreds of thousands of kms!
But I agree, even in France lots of people are seeing ethanol as a devil!

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:14

Leaded / unleaded petrol problems in the past have nothing in common with ethanol / unleaded petrol now.

My oldest friend (we know each other since 50 years!) sees ethanol as the devil and cannot imagine himself putting even a tiny drop of it in his car, a 2013 Seat Leon and is ever doing E85 bashing as much as he can, poor soul!

He only reads humbugs about that matter on the web spread mainly by people knowing even a jot on the question, so I'm used to read his nonsensical rhetoric!

Thank goodness there are some serious forums (in French) focussing on ethanol and fed by very skilled and experienced buddies since ages.
And ethanol was used since the very beginnings of the car industry, at least in France.
So I feel safe, and both my Rovers are not reluctant at all to sip alcohol, like their owner! Cheers mates!

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:15

I may just add that pipes damage is actually an urban legend. Nothing to fear of on modern cars, those without carburetors. Pipes that are now strong enough will be spoilt largely after the normal end of the road of any engine.

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:18

Regarding my very tiny coolant leak in the 25 filled with ethanol as well (with a special kit), I'm pretty sure that the culprit is the IMG that was not 100% perfect. Bar's Leak did a brilliant job since late April and so far the leak is rather fully cured and the car is driving brilliantly. But I still keep an eye on the coolant level just in case and I've only added a quarter of a litre twice in 5k miles and 8 months (i.e. from mini to maxi), the last one very recently.

Only post-1995 engines pipes & hoses can be ethanol compliant.
SD1 was built from 1976 to 1986 so I'm not at all surprised that there were problems, not to say a word about the car issues maybe due to troubled & hectic movements within the plants in those days. Nevertheless it was a great car a cousin of mine visited me with last summer.

Regarding the tank, moisture problem can be avoided with a plastic one equipping now nearly all modern cars. Another way is not to let the tank nearly empty too long. At last a very tiny proportion of moisture if any is likely to mix with ethanol without any problem and will be regularly burnt & evacuated when engine is working.

Last possible problem: tiny particles clogging the filter/pump if any. The system should be maintained as clean as possible and I shall use the very good Techron PEA Concentrate Plus Petrol /Gasoline Fuel Injector System Cleaner 350ml which is great and the best product recommended by an US test.

But who knows driving a car even a reliable one as the 75 has ever a gambling side, hasn't it?

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:20

A tiny bit of patriotic cosmetic...

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:22

Here are my brand new OEM mudflaps from Rimmer:

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:23

Today I've tried the SPORT mode with full ethanol in the tank (since the last two fillings up). Mind that I've put a 24kOhms resistor in place of the temperature sensor.
The ground was a bit frozen and the outer temperature not too much above zero.

What a treat! I'd already tried it but on a few miles and I was less used to the car.
Today I've done 40ml in a row on country roads (56 mls per h.) and on an urban ring road (70 mls per h.) as well.

The difference between both modes is impressive.
I thought the only difference was in higher revs in each gear, but now I reckon that the timing advance is changed as well to say the least.
Till I have touched the pedal, the engine is much more powerful and nevertheless smooth without any brutality.

And no loss of power, no error icon among the instruments, just 2 key impulses to start in the frozen morning.
Approx. 23.5 mpg only so far but remember the E85 in France is less than half the price of the unleaded petrol.
A real blessing in that Xmas time!

I'm a happy bunny!

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:25

Valeo parking alarm done & dusted.
Have a look at the story at:
https://forums.mg-rover.org/mg-zt-rov...6/#post8674074

Dorchester2 · 20th August 2019, 16:27

Added some knick-knacks.

It may appear preposterous but I couldn't resist it...
Nonetheless we were actual AA members during a few years when we did B&B, and mind you that AA are just my initials!

20th August 2019, 16:10	#31
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	07-12-2017, 17:03 A little add-on about the energy. After setting a 24 kOhms resistor on the temperature sensor (actually 2 out of 4 wires of the MAP sensor), I'm now able to fill in full ethanol in the tanker. In winter here in France they sell E85 with more petrol and less alcohol (approximately 70% ethanol, 30% petrol 95). The 75 is still a treat to drive, no loss of power, no lamp switched on, I've just to turn the key twice to let the engine start. And mind you that we have -4°C to -2°C very often at the moment. Not too bad, the start on cold weather being the weak side of ethanol when the engine isn't designed to accept it from the factory. Just to add that the engine is doing less MPG as expected : about 20% less, but the E85 price being 43% of the petrol one, it's a winning combination, isn't it? __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s

20th August 2019, 16:12	#32
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	07-12-2017, 18:40 The engine damaged by the ethanol? IMHO a humbug! As long as the engine was built after 1995. Some of the French ethanolist are driving cars clean & working fine since 2007, some with hundreds of thousands of kms! But I agree, even in France lots of people are seeing ethanol as a devil! __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s

20th August 2019, 16:14	#33
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	07-12-2017, 21:07 Leaded / unleaded petrol problems in the past have nothing in common with ethanol / unleaded petrol now. My oldest friend (we know each other since 50 years!) sees ethanol as the devil and cannot imagine himself putting even a tiny drop of it in his car, a 2013 Seat Leon and is ever doing E85 bashing as much as he can, poor soul! He only reads humbugs about that matter on the web spread mainly by people knowing even a jot on the question, so I'm used to read his nonsensical rhetoric! Thank goodness there are some serious forums (in French) focussing on ethanol and fed by very skilled and experienced buddies since ages. And ethanol was used since the very beginnings of the car industry, at least in France. So I feel safe, and both my Rovers are not reluctant at all to sip alcohol, like their owner! Cheers mates! __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s

20th August 2019, 16:15	#34
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	08-12-2017, 08:14 I may just add that pipes damage is actually an urban legend. Nothing to fear of on modern cars, those without carburetors. Pipes that are now strong enough will be spoilt largely after the normal end of the road of any engine. __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s

20th August 2019, 16:18	#35
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	09-12-2017, 09:03 Regarding my very tiny coolant leak in the 25 filled with ethanol as well (with a special kit), I'm pretty sure that the culprit is the IMG that was not 100% perfect. Bar's Leak did a brilliant job since late April and so far the leak is rather fully cured and the car is driving brilliantly. But I still keep an eye on the coolant level just in case and I've only added a quarter of a litre twice in 5k miles and 8 months (i.e. from mini to maxi), the last one very recently. Only post-1995 engines pipes & hoses can be ethanol compliant. SD1 was built from 1976 to 1986 so I'm not at all surprised that there were problems, not to say a word about the car issues maybe due to troubled & hectic movements within the plants in those days. Nevertheless it was a great car a cousin of mine visited me with last summer. Regarding the tank, moisture problem can be avoided with a plastic one equipping now nearly all modern cars. Another way is not to let the tank nearly empty too long. At last a very tiny proportion of moisture if any is likely to mix with ethanol without any problem and will be regularly burnt & evacuated when engine is working. Last possible problem: tiny particles clogging the filter/pump if any. The system should be maintained as clean as possible and I shall use the very good Techron PEA Concentrate Plus Petrol /Gasoline Fuel Injector System Cleaner 350ml which is great and the best product recommended by an US test. But who knows driving a car even a reliable one as the 75 has ever a gambling side, hasn't it? __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s

20th August 2019, 16:23	#38
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	19-12-2017, 16:43 Today I've tried the SPORT mode with full ethanol in the tank (since the last two fillings up). Mind that I've put a 24kOhms resistor in place of the temperature sensor. The ground was a bit frozen and the outer temperature not too much above zero. What a treat! I'd already tried it but on a few miles and I was less used to the car. Today I've done 40ml in a row on country roads (56 mls per h.) and on an urban ring road (70 mls per h.) as well. The difference between both modes is impressive. I thought the only difference was in higher revs in each gear, but now I reckon that the timing advance is changed as well to say the least. Till I have touched the pedal, the engine is much more powerful and nevertheless smooth without any brutality. And no loss of power, no error icon among the instruments, just 2 key impulses to start in the frozen morning. Approx. 23.5 mpg only so far but remember the E85 in France is less than half the price of the unleaded petrol. A real blessing in that Xmas time! I'm a happy bunny! __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s

20th August 2019, 16:25	#39
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	21-12-2017, 17:05 Valeo parking alarm done & dusted. Have a look at the story at: https://forums.mg-rover.org/mg-zt-rov...6/#post8674074 __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s