MG ZT - would you?
Discussion
I've spotted a very cheap, very clean and low mileage MG ZT Turbo with cooling issues.
It'd make a good practical left field choice I feel.
It's previously had HGF and has an uprated one and a recent water pump but loses coolant out the expansion tank. No mayo on the oil filler cap or in the tank though.
Worth a punt?
It'd make a good practical left field choice I feel.
It's previously had HGF and has an uprated one and a recent water pump but loses coolant out the expansion tank. No mayo on the oil filler cap or in the tank though.
Worth a punt?
No reason not to if the exterior and interior of the car are A1.
The K series is notorius for cooling problems - in all likely hood it's probably a cooling problem that resulted in the head gasket failing this time. Contrary to popular opinion they tend to pop for a reason.
The coolant capacity of these engines are small, so losing any water can potentially cause a problem. The other things that are prone to fail are cooling fans - so it could be something like that that's gone.
The good news is nothing costs a lot to fix on these - if a garage tells you otherwise then run away.
Find a Rover friendly mechanic (the owners club will point you in the direction of a local trused mechanic pretty much anywhere in the UK) and you'll be away. They're not the nightmare people make them out to be. A full head gasket change with all the trimmings should be no more than £350. That's what I paid including the upgraded oil rail and MLS gasket.
If there are other problems (suspension, electrical etc...) it may make sense to walk away. All depends on how much you're prepared to put in to getting it right. They're a lovely car when in top condition.
The K series is notorius for cooling problems - in all likely hood it's probably a cooling problem that resulted in the head gasket failing this time. Contrary to popular opinion they tend to pop for a reason.
The coolant capacity of these engines are small, so losing any water can potentially cause a problem. The other things that are prone to fail are cooling fans - so it could be something like that that's gone.
The good news is nothing costs a lot to fix on these - if a garage tells you otherwise then run away.
Find a Rover friendly mechanic (the owners club will point you in the direction of a local trused mechanic pretty much anywhere in the UK) and you'll be away. They're not the nightmare people make them out to be. A full head gasket change with all the trimmings should be no more than £350. That's what I paid including the upgraded oil rail and MLS gasket.
If there are other problems (suspension, electrical etc...) it may make sense to walk away. All depends on how much you're prepared to put in to getting it right. They're a lovely car when in top condition.
ismellburning said:
By "cooling issues" do you just mean losing coolant, or does it overheat as well?
How much coolant does it lose?
You could take it to a nearby indie and get them to pressurise it and see if they can identify where the leak is.
Awful lot of car for £500, as long as it doesn't go pop.
Apparently, just coolant loss out of the cap and no overheating.How much coolant does it lose?
You could take it to a nearby indie and get them to pressurise it and see if they can identify where the leak is.
Awful lot of car for £500, as long as it doesn't go pop.
Could be a number of things; cap not sealing; over filled with coolant (easy to do on a ZT); slow leak from a hose; HGF again.
Agreed, a pressure test would be handy but it is a long way from home for me to go and check.
I was going to see whether I could take a chance and go buy it with plenty of cans of water on board to drive back home and then get it sorted.
As you say, it's a lot of nice car for little outlay!
I had a BRM that I replaced the HG on and it still had issues, it was pressurising, think the liners had sunk, sold it to a lad who put the turbo 2.0 in it.
I would just avoid it, it is really a breaker to my mind, could probably make some money on it if the wings, wheels and bumpers are ok.
I would just avoid it, it is really a breaker to my mind, could probably make some money on it if the wings, wheels and bumpers are ok.
SebastienClement said:
No reason not to if the exterior and interior of the car are A1.
The K series is notorius for cooling problems - in all likely hood it's probably a cooling problem that resulted in the head gasket failing this time. Contrary to popular opinion they tend to pop for a reason.
The coolant capacity of these engines are small, so losing any water can potentially cause a problem. The other things that are prone to fail are cooling fans - so it could be something like that that's gone.
The good news is nothing costs a lot to fix on these - if a garage tells you otherwise then run away.
Find a Rover friendly mechanic (the owners club will point you in the direction of a local trused mechanic pretty much anywhere in the UK) and you'll be away. They're not the nightmare people make them out to be. A full head gasket change with all the trimmings should be no more than £350. That's what I paid including the upgraded oil rail and MLS gasket.
If there are other problems (suspension, electrical etc...) it may make sense to walk away. All depends on how much you're prepared to put in to getting it right. They're a lovely car when in top condition.
Thanks for this; a nice and informative post from an owner.The K series is notorius for cooling problems - in all likely hood it's probably a cooling problem that resulted in the head gasket failing this time. Contrary to popular opinion they tend to pop for a reason.
The coolant capacity of these engines are small, so losing any water can potentially cause a problem. The other things that are prone to fail are cooling fans - so it could be something like that that's gone.
The good news is nothing costs a lot to fix on these - if a garage tells you otherwise then run away.
Find a Rover friendly mechanic (the owners club will point you in the direction of a local trused mechanic pretty much anywhere in the UK) and you'll be away. They're not the nightmare people make them out to be. A full head gasket change with all the trimmings should be no more than £350. That's what I paid including the upgraded oil rail and MLS gasket.
If there are other problems (suspension, electrical etc...) it may make sense to walk away. All depends on how much you're prepared to put in to getting it right. They're a lovely car when in top condition.
Probably worth it if the previous HGF hasn't lunched it.
I would imagine that the recent water pump was probably to address overheating issues.....
I think the general condition of the car makes it worth sorting out as long as it's not a mechanical basket case.
Edited by Kentish on Monday 18th August 15:16
Kentish said:
Thanks for this; a nice and informative post from an owner.
Probably worth it if the previous HGF hasn't lunched it.
I would imagine that the recent water pump was probably to address overheating issues.....
I think the general condition of the car makes it worth sorting out as long as it's not a mechanical basket case.
No problem. I am an MG-Rover aficionado and would probably put up with more than other car owners!Probably worth it if the previous HGF hasn't lunched it.
I would imagine that the recent water pump was probably to address overheating issues.....
I think the general condition of the car makes it worth sorting out as long as it's not a mechanical basket case.
Edited by Kentish on Monday 18th August 15:16
I do know that the 1.8 engine (in normal, VVC and turbo form) can be a reliable workhorse. I've got one in a 45 (1800cc) which just slogs on without a complaint - although it has had the full MLS works in the past.
Kentish said:
Really?
Even if I said it was only £500 for one of the cleanest ones I've seen?
Would it not be worth getting a recon head and new uprated gasket kit?
Possibly. If the liner heights are not correct then you'll never get a head gasket to seal reliably and this will involve additional expense to rectify. The fact that a second HG has already failed is a worry, but might simply be caused by incompetence.Even if I said it was only £500 for one of the cleanest ones I've seen?
Would it not be worth getting a recon head and new uprated gasket kit?
Kentish said:
Thanks folks, that throws a new perspective on it (the liner issue).
I suspect this could be the problem on this particular car by the sound of it.
Does any other engine fit into it easily?
If theres no oil in the coolant or vice versa then I'd suggest replacing the water pump, thermostat, radiator cap and flushing out the radiator. Doesn't sound like hgf (had several k series cars)I suspect this could be the problem on this particular car by the sound of it.
Does any other engine fit into it easily?
Sometimes if the radiator is still full of oil and mayo it can overheat due to flow issues. Thermostats can fail and water pumps can be cheap crap
I'd be wanting it a bit cheaper than £500 for a "non runner". Just because a car overheats or loses coolant doesn't mean you should jump to the conclusion of head gasket
My suspicion is that a faulty rad cap has caused the original HGF due to the lost coolant!
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Monday 18th August 19:55
MethylatedSpirit said:
If theres no oil in the coolant or vice versa then I'd suggest replacing the water pump, thermostat, radiator cap and flushing out the radiator. Doesn't sound like hgf (had several k series cars)
Sometimes if the radiator is still full of oil and mayo it can overheat due to flow issues. Thermostats can fail and water pumps can be cheap crap
I'd be wanting it a bit cheaper than £500 for a "non runner". Just because a car overheats or loses coolant doesn't mean you should jump to the conclusion of head gasket
My suspicion is that a faulty rad cap has caused the original HGF due to the lost coolant!
^^ This man speaks sense!Sometimes if the radiator is still full of oil and mayo it can overheat due to flow issues. Thermostats can fail and water pumps can be cheap crap
I'd be wanting it a bit cheaper than £500 for a "non runner". Just because a car overheats or loses coolant doesn't mean you should jump to the conclusion of head gasket
My suspicion is that a faulty rad cap has caused the original HGF due to the lost coolant!
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Monday 18th August 19:55
As an MG-Rover sucker for punishment(see
wner), from your description, you can narrow down one of the following;
>Header tank cap valve has blown, causing it to not hold pressure anymore(prob caused, not the cause of the previous HG)
>Air lock in coolent system, the heater matrix is a swine to bleed through.
>Possible sunk liners, however I doubt that would cause the issue as it would burn oil and water and probably mix them with HGF symptoms again
>Head gasket not done correctly, possible head needs a skim if it warped slightly during the HGF
That is all I can think of at the minute, worst case you can get a bottom end from a 75/zt with turbo failure and fit that yourself, there is plenty of turbo engine cars being broken at the minute.
wner), from your description, you can narrow down one of the following;>Header tank cap valve has blown, causing it to not hold pressure anymore(prob caused, not the cause of the previous HG)
>Air lock in coolent system, the heater matrix is a swine to bleed through.
>Possible sunk liners, however I doubt that would cause the issue as it would burn oil and water and probably mix them with HGF symptoms again
>Head gasket not done correctly, possible head needs a skim if it warped slightly during the HGF
That is all I can think of at the minute, worst case you can get a bottom end from a 75/zt with turbo failure and fit that yourself, there is plenty of turbo engine cars being broken at the minute.
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