Early (up to November 2001) V6 owners - we need your help!

[DMGRS]

If you own an early 75 or ZT fitted with the KV6 engine (up to November 2001) we need your help!

As part of our (seemingly never-ending) drive to restock parts that are incredibly hard to find, we're currently conducting a feasibility study into remanufacture of the Oil Cooler Hoses for these models.
Also shared with the ZS180, they're currently very hard to find - we have a supplier in mind however their minimum order quantity is very high.

These fit all model years of MG ZS180 (Mk1 and Mk2) along with 'early' Rover 75 and MG ZT models manufactured up to November 2001.
They are commonly corroded with age - we get asked for these a few times every month. Part numbers PBH101790 & PBH101800 (items 11 and 12 in the attached diagram).

If there's enough interest we will look to have a batch made up by a top-tier hose supplier - they'll be an OE-fitment item which is a straight swap with no adjustment needed.

The last available pricing for these was around £190 inc VAT per pair - we'd be looking to drop this all the way down to £100-£120 per pair.
Is this something you'd be interested in, either now or in future?

[SD1too]

Hello Mat & Scott,

My "Dealer launch" Rover 75 KV6 was built in May 1999 and I had an encounter with those oil cooler pipe/hose assemblies when renewing the timing belts. At the time the car was 19 years old.

Whilst the assemblies were not rusty and in very good condition (I have an undertray fitted), I can pass on some problems which you might be able to improve upon should you commission a production run.

1. The hose part of the assembly is extremely inflexible. With the oil cooler mounting bolts removed, I was unable to move the cooler sufficiently to provide access to the air conditioning compressor lower bolt (necessary for timing belt renewal). If it's possible to increase the hose's flexibility, that would be a bonus.

2. The cooler pipe unions where they meet the engine just above the oil filter are huge. A 22mm AF tool is required which is very difficult to manoeuvre in the restricted space available. If these unions can be reduced in size it would be an enormous advantage.

3. The 'O' rings fitted to the unions at the engine end I found to be not listed as a separate part. Fortunately my originals were in good condition and could be re-used but I'd say there's an unfulfilled need here.

To answer your question directly, my car will be 25 years old later this year and I don't expect to have to renew these oil cooler pipe/hose assemblies but who knows what the future holds?

Simon

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hello Mat & Scott,

My "Dealer launch" Rover 75 KV6 was built in May 1999 and I had an encounter with those oil cooler pipe/hose assemblies when renewing the timing belts. At the time the car was 19 years old.

Whilst the assemblies were not rusty and in very good condition (I have an undertray fitted), I can pass on some problems which you might be able to improve upon should you commission a production run.

1. The hose part of the assembly is extremely inflexible. With the oil cooler mounting bolts removed, I was unable to move the cooler sufficiently to provide access to the air conditioning compressor lower bolt (necessary for timing belt renewal). If it's possible to increase the hose's flexibility, that would be a bonus.

2. The cooler pipe unions where they meet the engine just above the oil filter are huge. A 22mm AF tool is required which is very difficult to manoeuvre in the restricted space available. If these unions can be reduced in size it would be an enormous advantage.

3. The 'O' rings fitted to the unions at the engine end I found to be not listed as a separate part. Fortunately my originals were in good condition and could be re-used but I'd say there's an unfulfilled need here.

To answer your question directly, my car will be 25 years old later this year and I don't expect to have to renew these oil cooler pipe/hose assemblies but who knows what the future holds?

Simon

Thank you - that's really useful! I'll pass this over to the manufacturer.

Thanks again

[boater]

My car was registered in September 1999 - so may well need these at some time in the future.


Boater

[Dorchester2]

And mine is from 1st July 1999.
At the moment they look fine but...?

[john116]

Yes please, I'd buy the pair.

Originally Posted by DMGRS

If you own an early 75 or ZT fitted with the KV6 engine (up to November 2001) we need your help!

As part of our (seemingly never-ending) drive to restock parts that are incredibly hard to find, we're currently conducting a feasibility study into remanufacture of the Oil Cooler Hoses for these models.
Also shared with the ZS180, they're currently very hard to find - we have a supplier in mind however their minimum order quantity is very high.

These fit all model years of MG ZS180 (Mk1 and Mk2) along with 'early' Rover 75 and MG ZT models manufactured up to November 2001.
They are commonly corroded with age - we get asked for these a few times every month. Part numbers PBH101790 & PBH101800 (items 11 and 12 in the attached diagram).

If there's enough interest we will look to have a batch made up by a top-tier hose supplier - they'll be an OE-fitment item which is a straight swap with no adjustment needed.

The last available pricing for these was around £190 inc VAT per pair - we'd be looking to drop this all the way down to £100-£120 per pair.
Is this something you'd be interested in, either now or in future?

[vitesse]

No problems with corrosion but I, and another owner have experienced oil loss due to the aluminium ferrules not clamping the hoses tightly enough. Eventually the hose(s) make a break for freedom, with predictable results.

I caught mine just in time and reported it on here, Lovel had experienced the same. Sorry can't find the original post.

The other owner wasn't so lucky and drained most of his oil, refilled and made it here but nothing was showing on the dipstick when he arrived. Fitted a standard jubilee clip, refilled, and then on his way again.

Regards.


(Mine was a year 2000 2.0 V6 Auto)

[Francophile]

Not something I am familiar with, but I'm having to replace/renew bits every year. I like to source parts before they are needed, so my 01/2000 Rover would be a potential customer.


Derek.

[Matt_75]

I'd be interested in a set to keep on the shelf, just in case.

[SD1too]

Hello Mat and Scott,

Earlier in this thread I made this suggestion.

Originally Posted by SD1too

1. The hose part of the assembly is extremely inflexible. With the oil cooler mounting bolts removed, I was unable to move the cooler sufficiently to provide access to the air conditioning compressor lower bolt (necessary for timing belt renewal). If it's possible to increase the hose's flexibility, that would be a bonus.

Yesterday I was unexpectedly working on these hoses on a friend's Rover KV6. Unfortunately the reason why the oil cooler cannot be moved is because the 'S' shaped oil pipes (shown in your diagram) lie on top of the sump sandwiched in between the engine and the dipstick tube port. This reminded me that making the hose section more flexible wouldn't help.

However, if the 'S' shaped pipes were replaced by a much longer hose section, that might be the answer. I could provide a photograph to show the installation if that would help.

Simon