ZX opinion

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deian
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ZX opinion

Post by deian »

Hi guys,

Sadly my XM be replaced by a ZX 1.9td (cost saving technique). The XM will be picked up tomorrow and the ZX picked up on Sunday.

I just want some advice from those ZX guru's in the know...
I know a fair bit about cars, although I'm no mechanic and I've not stripped anything big down or done many big jobs, but I'll always have a go. Moving on:

The car is K reg 1.9td Aura with 122k on the clock, i'm getting it for £400 with tax till Dec, and MOT till July. The guy said it had a head job and new belt quite recently, which I thought is a good thing as he said some are known to blow gaskets after about 100k. Fair enough.

So is it fair to say I've taken a big risk in buying a car with a new head g gasket and belt? Someone I work with doesn't seem keen on the idea of buying a car with a new head gasket. I'm all for it, the car went well and despite the need for new coolant and a thermostat, it's not a bad car at all, it's just rough around the edges.

He also mentioned the torsion arms in the back were worn, so he said it's easier to drop the lot and put new unit in which he apparently did, this seemed fair enough to me too, although there is something knocking in the back, he said he replaced some rubbers. I believe the suspension is the same as 306.

The Volcane model is sportier in what way?... in that it has a thicker antiroll bar? Stiffer springs? and so i've heard somewhere, a bigger fuel pump? Is this correct?

Anyway, I'm quite happy with it, what is the 1.9td unit like to work on? Seems to look nice and logical to work on.

Oh, and I will need nicer wheels for this one, those chunky four spoke ones are quite nice.

Veggie oil here I come.

Thanks for reading.
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citroenbx
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Post by citroenbx »

The ZX is a nice car but wont be as comfortable as your XM.

Regarding the Head and Belt with all Diesel's never believe anyone who tells you work has been done without receipts.

If there are no receipts GET THE BELT CHANGED AGAIN.

Because of the mileage the pulleys should also have been done,along with the Water Pump and it should have had its water changed with new fresh anti freeze/corrosion solution.....(The major factor of blown heads)

Not much between the Volcane and the Standard ZX TD the pumps are the same the Volcane has Active Steering (all four wheels turn) and Yes stiffer suspension but an higher insurance group.

A lot of parts are shared with the 306 but i would always advise you purchase things for the ZX (GSF are great) as there are suttle differences.

I cant advise enough about CAM Belts and Diesel Engines.

Good luck
Life feels good just as you complete No4 Glow Plug on a ZX-TD
citronut
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Post by citronut »

why dose it need a stat and coolant, because if there are still isuse with the water works you can allmost certainly say it has still got head problems, and the seller is spinning you a washing line, i certainly would not give £400 squide for it, even if the seller can proove the head has been done, there is head jobs and head jobs, (ment in the cleanest posible way)before anyone mentions clinton
regards malcolm
jeremy
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Post by jeremy »

Head gaskets don't 'just fail' - failures are caused - by overheating generally.

So the real question is 'Why did it overheat? - and if the cause is known - what has been done to stop a re-occurrence. If you search this board you will find that about 20% of posts concern overheating and head failure on XUD's

A guess is that on a K reg ZX the radiator will be blocked. Has this one been tested? The problem is that the radiator is crossflow. Old fashioned radiators have tanks top and bottom and any dirt settles harmlessly in the bottom tank. Turn the rad on its side to increase its capacity - and the crud collects in the bottom tubes. No problem for a while - the thing generally has some surplus capacity - but eventually it can't cope and when the engine gets stressed - it overheats as its cooling capacity has been reduced.

If you were considering selling your car and the head gasket failed just before the sale would you do the job as thoroughly as if you intended to keep the car for the next 10 years?

The ZX has passive rear wheel steer. The subframe mounts allow the frame to twist - which in turn allows the wheels to follow the curve - and gives very good cornering - so good that the idea was copied for the Rover 200 series (one that looks like a Hamster from the side) The mounts fail eventually and allow knocking and uncertain steering. Not expensive and possible to replace.

The rear trailing arm bearings fail and subframe substitution is popular. There are specialists who fit properly refurbished ones.

http://www.sspengineering.co.uk/

Search carefully before using cooking oil or other alternative fuel. If you have a Roto-diesel pump some say its not fond of anything other than dino fuel. There's loads of info on here and the net on this subject.
jeremy
deian
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Post by deian »

The thermostat wasn't put in because the seal was buggered around it, just in case bits of the seal went into the system.

The last MOT pointed out an oil leak, this was probably due to the head gasket failing, so it happened from there on.

So I will be keeping a close eye on the heating system, I will also do a compression check, and I will be popping under the bonnet periodically to check how things are holding. It did pull well though, and the heating wasn't too hot (due to no thermostat it probably took longer to heat up). It'll be interesting to see how what happens with a thermostat, the rad looks quite new, so this may have been replaced, although he may have cut a corner by not putting proper coolant mix in it. It did start first time though, even after standing for a week, you could hear the lack of battery, but it fired up first thing.

But I do agree that the car may be a lemon, I will kindly and hopefully assume the biggest jobs are done and maybe it needs a good service and a close eye kept on things.

Thanks for your kind opinions, may not be the best of news, but I shall remain optimistic, I don't have a choice really. But at least I know what I am up against.

Regards,
Dei
philhoward

Post by philhoward »

I'd always be wary of a car with no thermostat - as many times it can actually cause overheating as the coolant won't go where its supposed to due to the bypass circuit not functioning correctly...
citronut
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Post by citronut »

no stat can/will allow the coolant to over heat when the engine is run for long periods, as the thermostat holds the coolant in the rad whilst it cools down
regards malcolm
deian
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Post by deian »

Oky doky, I will replace thermostat and coolant asap.
deian
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Post by deian »

I got the car today, the radiator gets warm, and the engine doesn't get too hot as you'd expect. So all is well. It's not a bad little car, tidied her up a bit today, the manky number plate will have to go, it's got silver surround! I will try to source some nice wheels too. It's faster than the XM turbo I had. Time for a signature change.
Cpt_Spalding
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Post by Cpt_Spalding »

Good luck. If it turns out to be a pup, then hey it's only a £400 pup. About the cost of a couple of trips to the garage.
:)
'98 Xantia 1.9TD Tempt 2 Estate.
Had an M reg long ago as co. car & been curious about owning again ever since.
What have I done????
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