ZX rust trap

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RichardW
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ZX rust trap

Post by RichardW »

All the ZXs I have seen (OK they'r northern ones, you southerners might not have to worry so much!) have been rusty around the bottom of the top of the suspension turret, just behind the PAS tank (where fitted). I had assumed this was just a bit of surface rust. However, last week I poked the 'new' ZX and a small hole appeared. Today I moved the PAS tank and poked it properly. Now I have a big hole (3" x 1"). Ooops. I might weld it up tomorrow* pictures before and after if I do. I doubt this would get picked up on an MOT (this one was MOTd at a main dealer last July - this rust has not formed since then!), so it might be worth investigating. I suspect the other side will be the same. It appears the water has got in behind the seam sealant Citroen used, and rotted the metal out from behind.
* After I have fitted the new drop link - replaced a knackered track rod end today, but that has done little to improve the front end clonking. Drove this car again last night for the first time in a couple of weeks, and it is a corker, just need to get these few niggles sorted...
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Post by rossnunn »

ooh I'll have to have a look. With the engine out of the zx there are a few places where it is bubbling, bottom of the offside suspension turret & along the lower rad mount (cross member)
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Post by RichardW »

Well, I've got the new drop link on - satisfying amount of play in the bottom joint, so hopefully that will see off the knocking.
Here's what my unpoked ZX looks like:
Image
And here's what my poked one looks like now (and this was not as bad as the other one to start with [8)]):
Image
Discretion being the better part of valour, I have decided this is for someone else to weld up - it's going to be pretty awkward right up under the edge of the wing, and my welding is coming on, but not that good yet [xx(]
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Post by citronut »

yes this is an M.O.T faliure,the rules say any rust within 30cm of susp/mountings,seat belt mounting points and seat mounting ponts regards malcolm
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Post by CITMAN »

yeah my 95 zx 1.4i went there, I noticed some ruststaining around the powersteering tank, and went poking with a screw driver and a hole appeared. Ive had the hole fixed now by my local garage for £40. But know ive noticed that the whole suspension turret looks very rusty indeed. Ive taken off all the loose rustproofing and treated the whole area with kurust, and will waxoil the area in time. I was gutted to say the least when the hole appeared.
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Post by fastandfurryous »

That actually doesn't look to difficult to weld. Are you looking at having a garage do that for you? shouldn't be too expensive at all.
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Post by rossnunn »

holey mother! I'll be back with some photos....
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Post by rossnunn »

Here's mine:
Image
Image
Image
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Post by Simon Canfer »

Ouch!
Just checked mine, a 1997, 88k miles, so "Mk2", and it's completely sound.
Could it be Citroen sorted this for the Mk2, along with the mad radiator connections on the Mk1?
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Post by rossnunn »

maybe mine above is also a mk2
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Post by dillosk8ter »

Got to admit as they age the underbonnet area seems to be a ZX design weakness/flaw, mines getting quite rusty round engine bay but looks treatable...other than that its in fantastic condition for its age (12) and drives like a far younger car!!!
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Post by rossd »

Odd, the 306 doesnt seem to go there (Well I have never seen one go and my old 1995 certtainly hadn't) and seeing as they are almost identical its pretty odd!!
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Post by wilkobob »

Checked mine earlier, no rust so to say. There are a few bits and pieces under the bonet, but nothing to worry about. The underside of the car is amazingly immaculate as well. One thing I have noticed about ZX's is the ammount they dont rust, other cars on the road the same age and newer seem to rust a hell of a lot quicker than ZX's. Infact, thinking about it, ive had 4 zx's and none of them have been rusty, 2x 91 (J reg reflexes), a 95 (M reg avantage estate - why oh why did I sell it?!?!) and the current 97 R reg SX.
Saw a 51 plate fraud focus the other day, the sill and both doors and rear arch on the passenger side were in really bad shape, rusty and had been painted up black.
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Post by rossnunn »

I thougfht it was because the ZX, like most of the citroen range were galvanised?
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Post by wilkobob »

Well im led to believe they are galvanized, but in that case whats happened in the "rust trap"? Thinking about it, BX's wern't galvanized, and ive never seen one looking as bad as an escort or astra.
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