ZX problems

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Bodger
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Joined: 19 Sep 2002, 18:23
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ZX problems

Post by Bodger »

Hi
How can I get the dead leaves out of the blower vents inside the car. I can't find a way to get at it!
Also when i go over a bump there is a clunk on the left and centre fron t of the car. What is this likely to be and could it be done by a inexpert mechanic.Spark plug and oil changes are my limit.
I have a ZX dimension 80.000 miles. Do I need to get the timing belt changed?
Thanks
Bodger
gjb02
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Post by gjb02 »

Bodger, If you are unsure of if the car has had it's cambelt changed, have it done.
The clunking could be down to an anti roll bar drop link, they wear out quickly and sound quite bad when they clunk, the nyloc nuts used to hold them in place can get quite corroded, so unless you have an impact driver!!!
The leaves in the blower, you'd have to remove the scuttle plate* to gain access to the blower intake on the bulkhead. Take off the gridded plastic cover that covers the intake and attempt to vacuum or blow out the rest of the leaf debris. To stop it happening again, buy a pair of tights and stretch a piece of one of the legs over the intake, then refit the gridded plastic cover. A fine filter.<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
* Undo the wiper arm, and remove. Undow the six torx head screws along the lower edge of the windsreen that hold the scuttle in place, the carefully(with the bonnet open), pull the scuttle plat out, it will take a little manouvering.
Hope this is of help, regards.
Gareth
Chris_L
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Post by Chris_L »

Bodger,
A word of warning about removing the leaves from the blower intake - its reasonably easy to crack the windscreen by trying to prize the rubber seal to get the scuttle plate back in after you've done the job. Its not too difficult removing the scuttle plate, but takes a bit of patience trying to get it back in (unless you want to replace the screen!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)
Oh and the clunking coming from the front left could be lots of different things. I had a similar problem which was a lower suspension arm bush. It seems they need replacing reasonably regularly on the ZX (I have the Volcane. Anyone have similar experiences?). Whichever, it shouldn't be too expensive anyway if you don't fancy doing it yourself.
Oh and one last thing... CHANGE THE CAM BELT ASAP!!
Chris
gjb02
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Post by gjb02 »

If you use something non-metallic to lift the winscreen seal back over the lip of the scuttle plate you shouldn't have any problems. Cracking usually occurs when you use a screwdiver or other metal implements and try to lever the seal back up using the glass as your fulcrum. Then it's,...Hello Windscreens-r-us I have a problem!! Chris is of course quite right to have pointed this out!!!
Tuck the scuttle plate under the outside edges of the seal first(bottom left and right hand corners of the glass, closest to the wings), there are extended flaps of seal just for that purpose. Then work your way inward to the centre slowly levering the seal back over the scuttle plate with your piece of plastic, the scraper you get with body filler is ideal(rigid yet flexible).
Gareth
Edited by - gjb02 on 19 Sep 2002 14:40:07
Bodger
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Post by Bodger »

Thanks for your help, now i can stop getting dust baths!
Thanks for the belt info I have been WARNED!!
Chris_L
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Post by Chris_L »

Thanks for that Gareth! I had my scuttle plate out 2 or 3 times and was getting a bit more confident until I cracked the screen on the 4th attempt! ...and yes, a screw-driver was the implement of choice! Your method sounds spot on from experience.
Like the tights idea as well - if I'd done that I probably wouldn't have had to have taken the plate out so many times! There is an alternative solution... don't park your car underneath trees! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Chris
humpy
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Post by humpy »

I replaced bothe the front and rear front suspension bushes to solve the clunking I had over bumps. Useful to have a friendly garage with a press!
B_Draper
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Post by B_Draper »

Simply wait until the leaves in the well are dry, use a vacuum cleaner with the appropriate tool extension and carefully suck the leaves out!
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