joss

Thanks for the reply, maybe we can eliminate some things: the car is a 97 model if that makes any difference - non-turbo mileage - car has done less than 60k injectors - I have tried a dose of injector cleaner, made no difference I have changed air filter, old one looked ok too, also did fuel filter fuel consumption is higher than I would have expected engine sounds like it is running ok (to my diesel-ignorant ears) starting is ok, in fact less smoke when cold (this points to a cumulative air problem?) TIA

My ZX 1.9D is producing increasing amounts of thick black smoke and reducing power under load. This happened a couple of months ago, to the point where it would not run at all, this was diagnosed as a blocked cat, which I had replaced with one from GSF. The car had been standing for two years before I got it so some buildup of soot was not that surprising. Afterwards the car ran brilliantly with no smoke - for a while. Surely it can't be the same thing again. It is not as bad (yet) - could it be there is a buildup of soot elsewhere in the system? Should I have changed the backbox too (it had been one of the most recent new parts on the car when I got it so I thought it would be ok)? Any ideas?

Oh and another thing - I have a red connector under the dash, to the right of the fuse box, two green wires going in to it but it is not connected to anything! Anyone know what this is?

The rear wiper on my ZX estate (1997) didn't move, it was pretty corroded so I swapped it completely for one in good nick from the scrappy. However it still doesn't move. I have checked that the spindle isn't seized, the relay on the motor is fine, the cables in the tailgate look fine, other electrics in the tailgate work ok, the fuse is OK. Looking at the wiring diagram in Haynes the wiper motor/timer separates from the wash jet circuit (which works ok) somewhere at the dash. Unfortunately the wiring colour codes don't seem to match what is in my car. Can anyone point me to the correct relay/connector under the dash so I can check it out? TIA

Well I have spent an enjoyable lunchhour at the scrappy with my toolkit. I got everything I needed bar the rear fog lens (it was cracked) plus a set of roof bars for 20 quid. Had high miles so I didn't take any engine parts, rad was dated 2003 but looked like it had a leak. V pleased with that!

Thanks Colin. After a lot of ringing round I have found one ZX estate at a breakers but it has been there a while and they don't think there is much left. I will go and see when I can get out of work. Postage to IOM is a pain but I get to the UK some weekends. Only problem is places aren't open when I am there! But at least I can pick up small bits posted to my UK address. Any pointers re things to look out for on the engine/other mechanicals?

I have 'rescued' a ZX 1.9 D leader estate (white) from my boss's garage where it has been sitting since October 2005! New battery and it started up fine. I have given it its first wash - although it has been kept dry it has been stored near the sea and got coated in wind-blown sand. Here are my questions: 1. The engine seems pretty sound to me (only 40k on the clock!) but what should I look out for? 2. The sand seems to have embedded itself in the paint on the horizontal surfaces - feels like sandpaper, even after a good wash. What's the paint quality like on these? Can I T-cut these panels? Also one rear door has has a gentle bump - the panel feels quite thin - will it beat out or should I get a new door? 3. Some trim bits are missing. I am on the Isle of Man so the chances of finding bits at a breaker's are zero. On the off-chance, does anyone have any of these, for beer money of course; N/S wing mirror N/S sun visor and bracket N/S rear fog lens O/S front indicator lens rear wiper motor thanks in advance! joss