Old Zed

Should not cost you a penny, it sounds like a warranty affair. Rear oil seals normally last for years not months. I'm sure he would agree with this as well. There are two things that can cause this failure, the first is the seal was damaged when installed and the second is wear on the crankshaft seal face which is quite common and should have been inspected at the time of installation. This can be sorted by fitting a different depth oil seal.

I am not sure what they mean by 'modified' either. You can have a standard radiator or a high capacity type which is slightly wider but they all fit in the same way. It sounds as though the garage was put off by mass under the bonnet as opposed to something being difficult to repair after all once the rad is removed it would normally be taken to a specialist for testing. This would then decide if it can be repaired or recored.

It is quite rare for gearbox bearings to go without something else being wrong, i.e. low on oil, so I would definitely check the oil level first before taking the box out. From experience, it is usually the main shaft bearings that fail as the layshaft is situated much lower in the gearbox casing and less susceptable to wear through low oil levels. it is also fitted with roller bearings which don't so much as whine but growl when worn.

Buy a zed with engine problems, they are usually very cheap even a good bodied import one.

If you are still looking for a automatic gearbox, then I have one available which was overhauled 30K miles ago and drives brilliantly. You can have all the auxilliary kit with it as well if it helps. Sadly I am in Bristol, England and the box is currently still in the car.

They are not MR2 and I could not find lenses to fit. The actual lamp fitting are moulded into the bumper so you will have to make the lenses yourself. Put some draft proofing foam strip around the edge of the lense to stop water from going into the light. By the way, where are you getting the ABFlug unit from as mine is currently mullered.

When the centre bearing was changed, were the propshaft universal joints checked as these can also eventually dry out and wear. Years ago a grease nipple was fitted and they were regreased during serving, unfortunately to save money this practise was discontinued.

Cheers Dave, look forward to receiving it.:)

I did not have much hair before, but I think I will certainly not have any after this is over. This car is my third Zed and the very best too. I feel so angry that I want to sue the ass off her, but will it get me anywhere ? Sadly what Paul has said leaves a familiar ring in my ears. I hope not but sadly history on these matters does show a pattern of dispair through financial loss.

As you may well know my Zed is currently stuck in my garage with the front quite severly damaged due to some old dink pulling out of a side turning in her Focus. By the time I hit the brake I was colliding with her front wing. My car is repairable but the cost of parts alone is quite a sum. A Border front mount and AB Flug front panel is just over £2K, plus the other radiators, front wings and bonnet, lights etc., and an inner wing. No doubt my viscous fan is mullered too. The man from the bodyshop states that it is 'beyond economic repair'*. I do not have an agreed Insurance value, so where do you start with a valuation especially as prices today are grim. I have spent shed loads on the car and there is not one ounce of rust in her which even for an import of 93 vintage is rare especially as she was imported in 2002. *The bodyshop based the statement BER on the value of about £6K. Do insurance companies use their own valuations or would they accept a responsible independant valuation. I know I have a fight on my hands and the fact that I am not responsible for the damage is really pi55ing me off. I am now thinking of engaging a solicitor to personally start recovery of my losses from the woman driver.:mad:

Yeah is has been a while Lisa. I'm gutted about the car especially as it is now stuck in my garage and James has found a cracking replacement. Until it can be moved I have nowhere to safely store another Zed.:headvswal

Murty, you are a treasure but I was only joking. Also I shall be away at that time. Sorry Dave, please remove me from the list.

Thats handy then, I borrow your car Murt, 1 admission 4 tracks.;)

Thanks Murty, your a star. We shall have to see what developes. A bit of grunt might be helpfull. Keep your rubber gloves handy.:)

I love your vert Dave, and having sat in it I can honestly say it is fantanstic, and by that I really mean 'FANTANSTIC'. It is totally straight and original and looks just great. I am not a vert man and just love the 2+2's for their visual line. I am not concerned about auto or manual as it will end up how I want it to be. Jimmer sent me details of a 94 blue 2+2 today in Berkshire which is an auto but who cares, this would be ok till I can dismantle this current Zed. Being blue the wheels would certainly match and if Si can get me a Border front mount and an ABFlug front bumper...........whoooopeee, were in business. I loved my previous blue Zed and regretted selling it. This might be a return to my first love. The story continues and still with a Zed (hopefully).

Thanks everyone for your messages, its great support. As Jimmer has stated, I think its 'good night Irene' for this Zed but whatever happens insurance wise, I will keep her and strip her and either do a re-shell or if possible find a good donor car with perhaps a blown engine. I geuss its back to the drawing board. Can I survive a summer without a Zed though................hmmmmn, more importantly can I survive a week without one. Where's the classifieds ?:)

If you don't mind Si, I am off over the garage now to take some with the Nikon, will be back in touch.

I am trying to upload some pics which are only 300K and it keeps telling me that because I already have pics on the site of 2.79Mb, I cannot upload anymore. Is this new or a problem with my account.

Thanks Si, Jimmer said that you may be able to help with bits from Japan. We will have to see how bad it is and go from there.

Cheers Simon, I am gutted but we will see what can be done. I have spent a lot of money on the car and she looked stunning and a joy to drive, but at the end of the day it is just a car and no one was hurt. Jimmer has also spent a lot of time working on it so its is also gutting for him. John

Trying to upload some phots, whats the maximum file size these days.

Well it did today to me. I spent 2 hours polishing the car including metal polishing the wheels and spraying the tyres and the Zed looked superb. Got showered and changed and went for a day out of glorious zedding. 300 yards from home some old dear pulled straight out in front of me. Booooosh, I'm into a 54 plate Focus. I know its serious because my bonnet is now bent up in the middle. I am stunned........but not as much as the old dear, she was not even looking my way when she pulled out. Some other motorist flashed her to come out and she did, without looking my way. She was in total shock. What can you do in those circumstamces, certainly not have a rant. Her husband, a wheelchair case was sat beside her and said that it was her first ever accident. He was in shock too. here are a couple of pics of my car and the Focus ( these mobile phone cameras are great) but I will post up some proper pics tomorrow. I think she may be a gonner, but Jimmer is coming over tomorrow to give me his opinion. To say I am gutted is an understatement but it is only a car. No one was hurt. The blonde girl in the piccy was behind me in her Audi TT and gave me her datails as a witness to this stupid event.

I bought an Exedy Street clutch and ligtened flywheel from the States for about £300 all in, plus duty of £28. Its light on the pedal, the engine revs well and I will let you know how long it lasts. Currently after 6 months and apart from some smells when when giving it some stick, no problems after 6 months of hard driving. before that I had a RPS Street clutch and it was heavy but did not slip.

I think you are a bit optimistic with the price here. To respray the whole side would normally cost a minimum of £500 and as for welding in new arches and blending in, I think a £100 is way out.

Classic.:rofl: