Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[CitroJim]

Some more most excellent work there Zel

Yes, definitely get that rad replaced... Hope thy remain easily available...

Your valve gear is almost identical to that on the TU engines in my AX and Saxo... So similar they could have come from the same drawing board!

Tell me more about the zinc additives you speak of in relation to this type of valve gear and its relation to modern oils... Are you saying that modern oils are lacking when it comes to keeping top-ends like this happy?

[Zelandeth]

Basically in recent years (no idea how recent!) the zinc content has been vastly reduced in most oils as it's a component which can poison catalytic converters. That's the component which is most involved in improving the ability to provide lubrication in situations where there are high shear forces involved - like a rocker arm that rides directly on the camshaft without a roller bearing or anything between the two.

A fair number of oils which are labelled as being classic targeted already have a higher zinc content, so should be fine. Hence I've not had to worry about it with TPA so far, as most 20W 50 oils on the shelf already fall into that category. 10W 40, not so much.

I've heard the most noise about this from the US, but haven't really been able to find a straight answer on whether it's just an issue over there rather than here, or it's just more widely known over there because there are a couple of billion vehicles over there still doing big mileages with the old Chevy and Ford V8 engines which are affected. Which is also why you can walk into basically any motor factor over there and buy the necessary additive. Equally though...you can walk into plenty and buy basically enough parts to build a small block Chevy V8 aside from the block itself off the shelf, including the carb (probably with a choice of several), entire electrical, fuel and cooling systems...it's a far cry from Halfords! Either way it's not something which is going to make an engine immediately grind itself to pieces, but may be a longer term issue.

To me it just comes under the heading though of "I'm not sure if it is an issue - but adding it ain't going to hurt anything." So for the sake of adding I'm guessing around £10 to an oil change it seems worth doing for peace of mind.

I'll be picking some up this weekend, more than happy to grab an extra bottle for you if you'd like and can drop it over with you when I'm next over your way. Given the similarities I imagine the TU engine uses a more or less identical rocker setup so would also want it.

Not really surprising there are similarities between the engines given they were designed pretty much side by side chronologically, and only a few miles down the road from each other.

[CitroJim]

Thanks Zel, that's explained it beautifully

Yes please, and then I can start using it in Bluebell at her next oil change... It'll be good to see you

[mickthemaverick]

Are you able to join Jim and I for lunch on Thursday Zel? see viewtopic.php?p=744309#p744309

[CitroJim]

Are you able to join Jim and I for lunch on Thursday Zel? see viewtopic.php?p=744309#p744309

That would be magical I'm sure you know where it is Zel and it's highly recommended...

[Zelandeth]

Are you able to join Jim and I for lunch on Thursday Zel? see viewtopic.php?p=744309#p744309

I should be able to make that I reckon!

-- -- --

Having had a look around it looks like there are a few options out there for radiators, not cheap but equally not ruinously expensive. Of course the real challenge will be actually clicking order and seeing if the stock reported does actually exist. If all else fails it will get a bespoke one made up using the original as a template. I'd rather not go down that road though as I imagine I'd be looking at well north of £500 for that.

Had a wander down to a car parts shop in Flitwick today (much as it was an excuse to go for a drive somewhere outside of bloody MK as anything else!). While I failed to find what I was actually looking for, I did find something very much unexpected.



They have quite the selection of models in there, including some quite by today's standards oddball stuff. I saw a Citroen ZX and GSA to name two - but I was trying not to take forever so didn't browse too far after spotting the 25!

First time I've seen a pre-facelift one in miniature form in person. Well aside from the Otto 1:18 ones...but I've bought actual cars for less than they change hands for.

Quick and easy job this afternoon on the Renault, throttle body/plate and IAC valve cleaning. She's a bit lumpy on light throttle, and definitely stumbles more often at idle than I'd really expect. Though I think you're feeling that more in the car than you should as I think a couple of the engine mounts are a bit tired.

Given you need to actually unbolt the intake elbow (3x T30 Torx machine screws) to gain access to the throttle body it wouldn't have surprised me to find this had never been done.





Definitely a bit grubby and well due a clean, but it's definitely been done in living memory at least. IAC valve is nice and easy to get to on this, right on the front of the engine.



So I pulled that off and gave it a good clean while I was in the area. Wasn't really bad at all but I'd rather know that it's been done.

Haven't had a chance to go for a test run since this has been done yet, not really expecting miracles as nothing was too dirty, but I feel better knowing it's been done. Plus I can now see there's no evidence of horrific amounts of gunge coming out the PCV system too, though I had no reason to expect that really.

[CitroJim]

Loving that model Zel I'll have to go and have a look... You know how much I like my models

[Zelandeth]

I think with the weather looking half decent this week one of my goals has to be to get TPA out for the first run in a while - not least so I can arrest the inevitable burying which starts as soon as the car doesn't move for more than 24 hours because getting into the garage is such an utter pain.



Getting this space sorted out into something resembling a usable state really HAS to happen this year as it really is driving me absolutely round the twist.

[bobins]

...... not least so I can arrest the inevitable burying which starts as soon as the car doesn't move for more than 24 hours because getting into the garage is such an utter pain.

Getting this space sorted out into something resembling a usable state really HAS to happen this year as it really is driving me absolutely round the twist.

I think the Third Law of Shed Dynamics comes into play here - 'Collections will expand to fill the space available to them'.

[mickthemaverick]

Perfectly doable Zel with a little imagination and determination you can take the entire useful contents of a container and fit them in a garage and still leave room for a car!!

Own work

Own work

Own work

Good luck !

[CitroJim]

I think the Third Law of Shed Dynamics comes into play here - 'Collections will expand to fill the space available to them'.

I have to work very hard to avoid this... Can't stand clutter and untidiness of any sort or to any degree so I don't collect. I only get something if I really need it...

Keeping my place tidy, clean, clutter-free and organised takes up a good proportion of each day... Some say I'm borderline OCD

Zel, your garage makes me want to scream and order a skip

[MattBLancs]

I have to work very hard to avoid this... Can't stand clutter and untidiness of any sort or to any degree so I don't collect. I only get something if I really need it...

Keeping my place tidy, clean, clutter-free and organised takes up a good proportion of each day... Some say I'm borderline OCD

Zel, your garage makes me want to scream and order a skip

It would be unwise and unkind at this point to share a picture of my garage...


Think I have slight OCD tendencies (can't stand stuff not working, squeaking etc hence am "that bloke who fetched the oil can into work as the office pencil sharpener was squeaking") but also slight ** hoarding tendencies - hate throwing useful stuff away that might have future use/repurposed.

I say with confidence "slight" as am helping clear my Grandad's garage and shed. As a brief example

A few cups

Rough guestimates suggests best part of eight hundred plastic drinks cups saved for future use. Of these about a third have had a small hole (melted, hot rod I guess) in the bottom to make "plant pots" or at least that is my guess. Also found almost the same size actual plant pots, probably another couple of hundred. He didn't have any particular interest in gardening and I can't recall him ever propagating any seedlings in my living memory.

On the plus side, the amount of stuff in his single garage does temper my displeasure at how cluttered mine is, a little. Need to get it back to fitting a car in again, that would be so pleasant on soggy wet days with stuff to do!



Anyway, shelving, that's what you need, racks full hold tonnes of stuff and reveal the illusive "floor" thing most have prevalent in their garages!

[Hell Razor5543]

Anyway, shelving, that's what you need, racks full hold tonnes of stuff and reveal the illusive "floor" thing most have prevalent in their garages!

The floor is a figment of your imagination. What you think is the floor is constructed of things you have collected, and it does not matter how far you go down, you will only ever find your collections!

[MattBLancs]

Either figment of my imagination, or else one if those hypothetical constructs like infinity - it exists to give it a name, but can't be achieved in any practical way!

I'm sure there was a floor in that garage when we moved in, and I'm pretty sure I won't have thrown it out!

[CitroJim]

It would be unwise and unkind at this point to share a picture of my garage...

Thank you, that's very thoughtful and considerate of you Matt

Think I have slight OCD tendencies (can't stand stuff not working, squeaking etc hence am "that bloke who fetched the oil can into work as the office pencil sharpener was squeaking")

Exactly me... And I must have things ordered... All my interdental toothbrushes must lie in size/colour order and in my kitchen everything must be exactly in its right place... Same with all the tools in my workshops. I go made if anyone moves anything to the 'wrong' place

I truly am a basket case