Newbie Here, Looking For Some Bits

[joss]

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

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Joss. Welcome to the Forum! As a fellow Islander (Shetland Isles) I know all about the problems of getting spare parts at a reasonable price. Every time you find something that's cheap the carriage just wipes out the saving. For instance I found a Cat for my son's car on the web for £45. Carriage UK mainland was £8.50 so I expected £25 or so. I was absolutely GOBSMACKED to be asked for £49.99! Are these people taking the P**s or what?

 

However I digress, I would have thought you'd be able to find a dead ZX to rob on the IOM, there are certainly plenty here. There are a few breakers sites on the Mainland that I have dealt with in the past and which haven't been overly with the carriage charges. Try http://www.pugcit.co.uk/ or http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/

Also Ebay is a good source of bits.

 

Cheers Hope this helps. Colin :D

[joss]

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?

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi again Joss. The old XUD lump is generally pretty reliable and can acheive very high milages if looked after. Seeing yours has been sat a while it may be a good idea to change the timing belt before putting it on the road for good. They tend to degrade more just sat than actually running. The peace of mind will be good too. Regular oil changes are a must and a good quality 15W/40 mineral based oil will be fine. I used to do an oil change at 3000 miles and oil & Filter again at 6000 on my XUD Xantia.

 

The front suspension bushes can wear, also the anti roll bar drop links. Another thing which can happen is that the spring pans on the struts can fail and allow the pan to come into contact with the top of the tyre. The only cure is new struts.

 

If the car has Bendix front brake callipers the bleed nipples tend to sieze up as the calliper is alloy and the nipple is steel. If you have to drill them out the nipple is 7mm metric and can be "Helicoiled" and a 6mm nipple put in its place. Seal kits for the callipers are about £8 from Citroen should you need to re-furb them at any time.

 

At the rear the front mounts on the subframes can wear and if this happens a knock will be heard from the rear of the car when driving over a rough road. I am told that they are not an MOT fail point and are more of an annoyance. I've seen them on Ebay for about £15 and they're awkward rather than difficult to change.

 

The panels are quite thin, but if it's a late one it will be (Nearly) fully galvanised. The only parts that rust here in Shetland are the inner wings in behind the headlamps. If there's no rust there then there won't be any anywhere else! Your rear door should push out OK if you pop off the inner trim panels and give it a wee push.

 

Cheers Hope this helps. :D

[joss]

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!

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Again Joss! Glad to hear you've got all your bits already. The rear foglamp lens will be able to be repaired and made watertight with polystyrene cement (Airfix Kit Glue) as a temporary measure until you can source a whole one. Better than B****R all!

 

Getting back to the paintwork and the sand problem, you can try T cut, and if it works, all well & good. However, as it's an old car you could try re-spraying the bonnet & roof, (With the usual preperation stages, Rub down, undercoat etc.) with spray cans. You can get aerosol cans filled by paint suppliers for a very reasonable sum if you can give them the paint code. You'll find it under the bonnet near the drivers side strut mount. It will be in the form of 4 letters. (In paint). The job may look a bit ropey to begin with, but if you wait a couple of weeks after the spraying to let the paint harden then T cut again it should blend pretty good.

 

Cheers. Hope this helps :D