MG ZT Auto Box

[Shammy63]

I am looking at buying a MGZT CDTi with auto box. She has 140,000 on the clock, but the gearbox fluid has been regularly changed the last one being around 30,000 miles ago.
My question is worst case scenario. The boxes are no longer available, if I have a failure what can be done on these units or are there companies around who will recondition/repair the existing unit.

[mileshawk56]

Shane, there is an autobox campany in Richfield Avenue, I have used them with no complaints they have been there a long time. Chris,S.

[SD1too]

Hi Shane,

Don't worry, you are very unlikely to have a failure within the automatic gearbox. They are reliable, robust and will cover mileages in excess of 140,000 with ease. But to answer your question directly, as Chris has indicated there are specialists all over the country and a particularly good components supplier south of Bristol called JPAT.

I would instead familiarise yourself with the engine related problems which are well documented on the forum, particularly by Arctic. One of the most common on the diesel is very low running temperature due to a faulty thermostat.

Good luck with your search!

Simon

[ceedy]

My ZT CDTi auto is on 170k , fluid done every 55-60k , only issue I had last year was a broken 2-4 solenoid which I changed .. not very tricky to do ..


Would love to get the motor to run at anything close to 88c ....usually sits about 80-82 all the time .


C

[Dorchester2]

Originally Posted by ceedy

My ZT CDTi auto is on 170k , fluid done every 55-60k , only issue I had last year was a broken 2-4 solenoid which I changed .. not very tricky to do ..

Would love to get the motor to run at anything close to 88c ....usually sits about 80-82 all the time .
C

May I ask why you need a 88°C temperature engine and why you feel uneasy with 80-82°?
I've read lots of posts about that and I still don't understand except when someone is driving the whole year in the Northern part of Europe at a push.
I live in the South of France My V6 is running between 60 to 90°C (mainly 75-85, controlled by Torque) according to the season since 5 years without the slightest damage. I assume it isn't that bad mainly because Summer temperatures will be going up and up in the years to come...
On the contrary I've heard of lots of engine destroyed by overheating.

[ceedy]

I Don't ...


But there does seem to be a bit of paranoia with some folks over the years about running the car at "optimum" temps" , and 88 degrees is always bandied about as the temp to get the best Fuel consumption ?
Not convinced it makes a lot of difference ..

Originally Posted by Dorchester2

May I ask why you need a 88°C temperature engine and why you feel uneasy with 80-82°?
I've read lots of posts about that and I still don't understand except when someone is driving the whole year in the Northern part of Europe at a push.
I live in the South of France My V6 is running between 60 to 90°C (mainly 75-85, controlled by Torque) according to the season since 5 years without the slightest damage. I assume it isn't that bad mainly because Summer temperatures will be going up and up in the years to come...
On the contrary I've heard of lots of engine destroyed by overheating.

[Shammy63]

Thank you every one for your replies, it gives me a lot more confidence. I know the car I am looking at has been very well maintained. So time to take the plunge and add an MG ZT to my MGB Roadster.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Dorchester2

May I ask why you need a 88°C temperature engine and why you feel uneasy with 80-82°?

Originally Posted by ceedy

... there does seem to be a bit of paranoia ... about running the car at "optimum" temps" , and 88 degrees is always bandied about as the temp to get the best Fuel consumption ?
Not convinced it makes a lot of difference ..

Gentlemen,

I can pass on some information to help with these questions.

Firstly, an 88 degrees thermostat is the official MG Rover specification for the UK climate and that of other manufacturers too. It's the temperature at which the 'stat begins to open so the actual running temperature will be higher.

In the case of the M47R diesel engine it's been found by club members, notably T-Cut, that the thermostat is prone to faulty operation. This has been sufficiently serious to result in complaints of inadequate heater output. There is clearly a problem here which cannot be dismissed as satisfactory.

Thirdly, regarding fuel consumption, it is one of the principles of the internal combustion engine that more fuel is required when the engine is cold. There are also consequences when the engine becomes too hot. There is therefore an "optimum" temperature range which all manufacturers observe in their engine designs. The M47R doesn't achieve that not because it's unnecessary but because of long term unreliability with the thermostat.

Simon

[ceedy]

Cheers Simon,

Didn't really need a reply , already had a bit of a clue ..

Chris

PS

I found standard stats only last a few years ( had 2) but do get near the optimum, and since then had that inline mod which doesn't seem to make any difference

Originally Posted by SD1too

Gentlemen,

I can pass on some information to help with these questions.

Firstly, an 88 degrees thermostat is the official MG Rover specification for the UK climate and that of other manufacturers too. It's the temperature at which the 'stat begins to open so the actual running temperature will be higher.

In the case of the M47R diesel engine it's been found by club members, notably T-Cut, that the thermostat is prone to faulty operation. This has been sufficiently serious to result in complaints of inadequate heater output. There is clearly a problem here which cannot be dismissed as satisfactory.

Thirdly, regarding fuel consumption, it is one of the principles of the internal combustion engine that more fuel is required when the engine is cold. There are also consequences when the engine becomes too hot. There is therefore an "optimum" temperature range which all manufacturers observe in their engine designs. The M47R doesn't achieve that not because it's unnecessary but because of long term unreliability with the thermostat.

Simon

[Dorchester2]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Thirdly, regarding fuel consumption, it is one of the principles of the internal combustion engine that more fuel is required when the engine is cold. There are also consequences when the engine becomes too hot. There is therefore an "optimum" temperature range which all manufacturers observe in their engine designs. The M47R doesn't achieve that not because it's unnecessary but because of long term unreliability with the thermostat.
Simon

Hello wise Simon!
I don't argue about M47R engine. I haven't one and I rely upon you.
But about petrol & V6, I do agree about the more consumption and the more pollution as well when the engine is cold, i.e. in the low degrees, just when firing up.
When temperatures are normal, i.e. even when Winter is mild like at the moment, my engine needs 2 mls only to be hot enough as Torque is telling me: 70°C. Hence I assume that 70°C at least might be considered as warm enough.
On another post, I was giving as a limit example that in colder temperatures (0°C and below) and globally running downhill from Savoie in the beginning my engine had some difficulties to reach 70°C.
However in the long run after 200 mls when filling up at the station with full E85, I was amazed to notice that my MPG was rather good and above the average (24.2 mpg instead of 22.6), despite those rather low temperatures at the beginning of the journey only.
It's like that since 5 years. The car is well & regularly serviced, the engine clean, responsive and in very good nick. But it's only my own experience in the South of France. Might it be unique?