As you may recall, Just over a month ago, I repalced my Zed.

 

Well it is MOT time and it has failed big time, it looks like they have found a load of rust around the sill, inner arches and seatbelt mount areas.

 

Also excessive blue smoke so failed its emmitions, which I had had once but stopped and I have been speaking to Jeff about getting the PCV valves replaced.

 

Not looking forward to going home tonight as I am going to haver to explain to the better half why a month old car is going to either cost a lot of money to get right or be scrapped.

Does not sound good mate. One of the biggest killers of these cars is rust. A solid shell is a must and is the one thing that's needs well checked. Good luck in whatever direction you take.

Sorry to hear this buddy, hope you can sort it out without too much wallet damage.

It all sounds like stuff that can be sorted.. Good luck telling the Missus..

 

Had the same issue telling mine after the engine rebuild and the turbos were rubbish.. so genuinely good luck:blink:

Rust seems to be getting the better of a lot of them these days. Hope it's not too bad!

Hrm, he fact that you've had discussion with jeff surrounding Pcv if they are culprit they are so cheap through MJP. As for the rust well that's life I guess, learn to weld you will save serious cash and gain a life skill.

Well it is MOT time and it has failed big time, it looks like they have found a load of rust around the sill, inner arches and seatbelt mount areas.

 

Well I hope you stick with it and get her sorted, that way you will end up with a desirable UK spec car (and in a lovely colour).

Sorry to hear this mate, hope you can get it sorted without your other half killing you..

Bugger!-sorry to here bud.

UK cars REALLY need a good inspection as do JDM but no-where near as prone to the rot.......

I'm half way through the rust eradication on my uk car so feel your pain mate. Had the same discussion with my other half expecting bits to be amputated but all good now untill she finds out how much I spent that is :euro:

I think the JDM cars are often just as bad these days, a lot of them have been in the UK for a few salty winters now!

If I was to buy another zed, I would insist that the rear quarter trims are removed to inspect inside the sills.

I hope it all works out for you dude :(

Well I am still alive !!! And she was very philosophical about it. :thumbup1:

 

It failed on quite a few points but it doesn't look as bad as described on the phone. It appears to be around the seatbelt mounting points and the rear inner wheel arch. Bushes / pins on rear suspension and the wrong colour side lights !

 

After getting the car, I have had to get new tyres all round and sort out some annoying light issues.

 

So I am hoping I can use my mates garage to get the car in the air to look at the corrosion. He has welding gear so I think it is time to learn to weld !

 

Another thing was excessive blue smoke, just need to figure if it is turbo's or PCV valves...

Oh dear.... Sorry to hear that mate:sad:

 

That looked such a good buy as well - and certainly a lesson to us all about buying a 20 year old car; even well maintained ex-members' examples!

 

Good luck in whatever you decide to do my friend...:clover:

 

Richard

Well after sleeping on it, I have decided to try and get it through the MOT and back on the road. The biggest problem for me is the blue smoke, my machanic friend followed me home and said the turbo's had gone but I am not so sure. There is so much said about where the smoke is coming from in so many threads I am confused so will take do the following to check (unless someone tells me a definitive way to identify where it is coming from). Check the compression on each cylinder, if OK check the manifold after the turbo's for evidence of oil, if that is OK replace the PCV Valves if not engine out and check / replace turbos.

 

Is that a sensible approach?

 

Rust wise, its trim and carpets out I suppose and see what state its in.

I would check out the extent of the rust first to see if its fixable.

I would check out the extent of the rust first to see if its fixable.

 

Dont worry Gary, nothing is being spent until I am sure it is all fixable within the budget I have set. certainly from the odd jobs I have done on her so far, there is no signs of rust above the carpets. The boot trim was all removed last weekend so I could adjust the suspension and it was all very clean.

Hope you can get it fixed Mark there's not to many UK Z's left.

I have a UK car and have just cut out the rot in the rear sills was a pain in the arse the rest of the car is solid was a pig of a job but I did it the metal cost me £20 and and £10 for etch primer me mate lent me a welder has taken me ages but only learnt to weld last week

This thread might inspire you guys with rusty cars:

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?134203

This thread might inspire you guys with rusty cars:

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?134203

 

Good example to pic there Si......:clover:

Its only rust .be cheaper to buy a welder and some metal and play.

I've also suffered the dreaded tin worm associated with a UK model.

Took me a while to get her sorted, but was well worth it in the end.

 

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/thanks-everyone.15465/

 

The link above is a diary of my exploits. I know it is a bit of a read, but I think it will be packed with lots of useful reference points showing how I went about it.

I am sure it will help you pick your way through the various stages of repair.

 

Stick with it, you will be surprised how much you will achieve with a little patience.

Not to mention saving a fortune by doing it yourself.

Just come back from seeing my mechanic / welder friend and we hope to get it in his garage over the weekend to have a look at the work that needs doing. His big worry is the subframe mount areas so that's where we are going to start.

 

Off to find a cheap run around I can use while the work is being done....

I've also suffered the dreaded tin worm associated with a UK model.

Took me a while to get her sorted, but was well worth it in the end.

 

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/thanks-everyone.15465/

 

The link above is a diary of my exploits. I know it is a bit of a read, but I think it will be packed with lots of useful reference points showing how I went about it.

I am sure it will help you pick your way through the various stages of repair.

 

Stick with it, you will be surprised how much you will achieve with a little patience.

Not to mention saving a fortune by doing it yourself.

 

That was a rotter, something I and most others might have sent for scrap, what a save! Very nice welding there and attention to detail! Like the Speedline Alessios too...I assume that's what they are. Do you have any better photos of it all built up after paint?

That was a rotter, something I and most others might have sent for scrap, what a save! Very nice welding there and attention to detail! Like the Speedline Alessios too...I assume that's what they are. Do you have any better photos of it all built up after paint?

 

Thanks Funkysi, there were indeed times when I felt like throwing the towel in and sending her to the scrap yard in the sky, but

I thought I might as well give it a go. Nothing to loose I guess.

As for photos of the finished car, she is as page 19 at the moment I'm afraid. A combination of the original Arctic White and primer.

Just needed to get her all one colour until I can afford a full re spray.

As for the wheels, you are correct. I hope to get them refurbished soon also.

Bit of a progress report... Car is off to my welder /mechanic friend tomorrow to start cutting out the rust and see how bad it is. In the meantime I have bought a cheap runaround so we can spend the time to fix it properly.

 

As per the other thread about sills on eBay, I am getting a set of inner and outer sills for both side so it is nice an meet when finished. Previous repairs of the sills are looking a bit tatty so may as well clean her up.

 

One question that I have been asked to post is when others have chopped out the sills and fears of the floor, have they braced the doors?

 

My welder friend is worried the car might fold a bit with all of this metal cut out.