Might be a bit ranty.

Howie666 · 12th March 2023, 11:12

Hello. Like many members of this club, I'm not all that young anymore, and likely have owned my ZT for as long (or longer) as my fellow members.

Joining the club was the next best thing I did after buying the car. It has long been my go-to for help and advice with my ZT. As she is over 20 years old, components designed with a certain lifespan are reaching the end of their working lives and are literally wearing out.

I recently had the sort of good fortune I never expected, allowing me to implement some of the work I have always wanted to do on my rolling project. One of the jobs, admittedly a cosmetic one, was the reinstatement of my original IPK having been personalised by Rick.

Duly installed, the renewed IPK is beautiful, and just what the car needed. Then another gremlin pops up, with the car shutting down at motorway speed. Mike identified the loose battery earth as the culprit, and now (touch wood) she no longer exhibits her disturbing behaviour.

Unfortunately, back to the IPK again. While the earth was loose, the IPK display would show a flicker where the range etc. was displayed and the mileage display would not turn off after removing the key from the ignition. Reinserting the key doesn't clear the problem, nor restarting the engine.

So now I'm on a new search for the cause of this latest setback. So far I've got faulty ignition or something to do with the fusebox/ignition relays/IPK fuses. Of course that's not the only problem. My mechanic tried to replace the noisy power steering pump only to find that there are multiple models of said pump and they are not a universal fit.

In fact my particular model is only available used, or remanufactured. And my local power steering guy won't remanufacture this pump because of the combination of materials used (steel and aluminium) and the way they wear.

I am frustrated with the feeling that I have finally gathered some momentum with restoring my ZT, only to come across problems that, if the club is anything to go by, I am the only owner ever to have encountered. I want the ZT to be the best it possibly can (short of being concours). I want to be able to attend a meet and be proud of how she is, and how I have looked after her.

If I am too stupid to instinctively know how to fix my car, then so be it, I will continue to blunder through with the assistance of one very good friend who is my guru with regard to car matters.

I have sought help and advice a few times recently here, sadly the advice has been limited (bar a few helpful souls). Is the club moribund? Is it just me? I won't stop trying to improve my car, and I will remain a subscriber to the club, but some help from time to time would be nice.

Ranty bit over.

Dale

macafee2 · 12th March 2023, 11:28

I sincerely hope not moribund (at the point of death or at the point of death) but there are members that know more and contribute more and without them, we will be in trouble.

Will anyone else take on the steering pump? It is frustrating when an item is used on just one vehicle and not interchangeable with something else. Must also be expensive for the vehicle manufacturer.

macafee2

Costa Fortuna · 12th March 2023, 16:36

Not really sure what your specialist pump guy was trying to say - anyway I'm sure that somewhere there must be a pump refurbisher - they are not rocket science.

Like oil pumps they are self lubricating and tend to go on forever. Noise is usually low fluid but I'm sure you will have discounted that.

I think we have all at some time felt like throwing in the towel but it's best to take each problem in isolation.

Ched · 12th March 2023, 17:54

Rimmers list 2 pumps so for the kv6............

Matt_75 · 12th March 2023, 19:29

Rimmers offer an earlier style pump on an exchange basis: https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-QVB101411E

I assume it's a refurbished item given the exchange. Perhaps try a different pump refurbishment outfit if you want to go down that route. It sounds like your local specialist doesn't want the trouble of doing it or thinks he cant do it for a reasonable price. I don't know the ins and outs of the pump, but if there's steel fasteners in an aluminium housing or vice versa, you often get galvanic corrosion and the two can be very difficult to separate.

Alternatively, eBay has some supposedly brand new aftermarket units available if you search for the part number: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354518937...mis&media=COPY

Slaya · 14th March 2023, 16:01

I had the noisy steering pump issue on my V6 ZT (pump made a right noise under load) - found a 'new' unused steering pump for £14 on ebay - wasn't sure which model was fitted to mine at the time so took a punt on it - and it turned out to be the wrong one of the two possible models (typical!)

We gave it away to another ZT owner at a show in the hope they could make use of it.

My son found the correct one on facebook (via Tom Force) - got it for £45 delivered.

Slaya · 14th March 2023, 17:32

Asked Tom F what pumps he has available and he thinks just the later type (QVB000320)

12th March 2023, 11:12	#1
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	Might be a bit ranty. Hello. Like many members of this club, I'm not all that young anymore, and likely have owned my ZT for as long (or longer) as my fellow members. Joining the club was the next best thing I did after buying the car. It has long been my go-to for help and advice with my ZT. As she is over 20 years old, components designed with a certain lifespan are reaching the end of their working lives and are literally wearing out. I recently had the sort of good fortune I never expected, allowing me to implement some of the work I have always wanted to do on my rolling project. One of the jobs, admittedly a cosmetic one, was the reinstatement of my original IPK having been personalised by Rick. Duly installed, the renewed IPK is beautiful, and just what the car needed. Then another gremlin pops up, with the car shutting down at motorway speed. Mike identified the loose battery earth as the culprit, and now (touch wood) she no longer exhibits her disturbing behaviour. Unfortunately, back to the IPK again. While the earth was loose, the IPK display would show a flicker where the range etc. was displayed and the mileage display would not turn off after removing the key from the ignition. Reinserting the key doesn't clear the problem, nor restarting the engine. So now I'm on a new search for the cause of this latest setback. So far I've got faulty ignition or something to do with the fusebox/ignition relays/IPK fuses. Of course that's not the only problem. My mechanic tried to replace the noisy power steering pump only to find that there are multiple models of said pump and they are not a universal fit. In fact my particular model is only available used, or remanufactured. And my local power steering guy won't remanufacture this pump because of the combination of materials used (steel and aluminium) and the way they wear. I am frustrated with the feeling that I have finally gathered some momentum with restoring my ZT, only to come across problems that, if the club is anything to go by, I am the only owner ever to have encountered. I want the ZT to be the best it possibly can (short of being concours). I want to be able to attend a meet and be proud of how she is, and how I have looked after her. If I am too stupid to instinctively know how to fix my car, then so be it, I will continue to blunder through with the assistance of one very good friend who is my guru with regard to car matters. I have sought help and advice a few times recently here, sadly the advice has been limited (bar a few helpful souls). Is the club moribund? Is it just me? I won't stop trying to improve my car, and I will remain a subscriber to the club, but some help from time to time would be nice. Ranty bit over. Dale __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )

12th March 2023, 19:29	#5
Matt_75 Gets stuck in 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: North Somerset Posts: 554 Thanks: 13 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Rimmers offer an earlier style pump on an exchange basis: https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-QVB101411E I assume it's a refurbished item given the exchange. Perhaps try a different pump refurbishment outfit if you want to go down that route. It sounds like your local specialist doesn't want the trouble of doing it or thinks he cant do it for a reasonable price. I don't know the ins and outs of the pump, but if there's steel fasteners in an aluminium housing or vice versa, you often get galvanic corrosion and the two can be very difficult to separate. Alternatively, eBay has some supposedly brand new aftermarket units available if you search for the part number: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354518937...mis&media=COPY __________________ Matt 2001 Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5 (BRG) 1999 Rover 75 Club 2.5 (Dorchester Red) 1973 Triumph Dolomite (Honeysuckle)

14th March 2023, 16:01	#6
Slaya Loves to post MG ZT V6 160+, MG TF 135, Focus 1.6 Zetec Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Coventry Posts: 285 Thanks: 129 Thanked 68 Times in 50 Posts	I had the noisy steering pump issue on my V6 ZT (pump made a right noise under load) - found a 'new' unused steering pump for £14 on ebay - wasn't sure which model was fitted to mine at the time so took a punt on it - and it turned out to be the wrong one of the two possible models (typical!) We gave it away to another ZT owner at a show in the hope they could make use of it. My son found the correct one on facebook (via Tom Force) - got it for £45 delivered. __________________ Car History: 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.9GL Mk1, 1985 Opel Manta Berlinetta Coupe, 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 2000, 1999 Vauxhall Vectra SRi140 Estate, 2002 MG ZT 2.5 160+, 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel, 2012 MG6 TSE Magnette, 2002 MG ZT 2.5 160+, 2008 Mini Cooper 1.6, 2003 MG TF 135 and back to the ZT 2.5 160+

14th March 2023, 17:32	#7
Slaya Loves to post MG ZT V6 160+, MG TF 135, Focus 1.6 Zetec Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Coventry Posts: 285 Thanks: 129 Thanked 68 Times in 50 Posts	Asked Tom F what pumps he has available and he thinks just the later type (QVB000320) __________________ Car History: 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.9GL Mk1, 1985 Opel Manta Berlinetta Coupe, 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 2000, 1999 Vauxhall Vectra SRi140 Estate, 2002 MG ZT 2.5 160+, 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel, 2012 MG6 TSE Magnette, 2002 MG ZT 2.5 160+, 2008 Mini Cooper 1.6, 2003 MG TF 135 and back to the ZT 2.5 160+

12th March 2023, 11:28	#2
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,935 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	I sincerely hope not moribund (at the point of death or at the point of death) but there are members that know more and contribute more and without them, we will be in trouble. Will anyone else take on the steering pump? It is frustrating when an item is used on just one vehicle and not interchangeable with something else. Must also be expensive for the vehicle manufacturer. macafee2

12th March 2023, 16:36	#3
Costa Fortuna Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: POOLE Posts: 125 Thanks: 24 Thanked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Not really sure what your specialist pump guy was trying to say - anyway I'm sure that somewhere there must be a pump refurbisher - they are not rocket science. Like oil pumps they are self lubricating and tend to go on forever. Noise is usually low fluid but I'm sure you will have discounted that. I think we have all at some time felt like throwing in the towel but it's best to take each problem in isolation.

12th March 2023, 17:54	#4
Ched I really should get out more....... MG ZT V8, MGZT 135 derv ,MG TF 135 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Romsey Posts: 2,294 Thanks: 553 Thanked 573 Times in 385 Posts	Rimmers list 2 pumps so for the kv6............