What I didn't do to my Rover 75 MGZT today

[Rich in Vancouver]

Normally I do all my own work but after wrestling the gearbox back into my MGF a few months ago and causing a bout of atrial fibrillation I decided I am getting too old for the heavy stuff. I am wondering what the cost will be as well.
I haven't even asked for a quote, but like I said, I do trust this shop. A few years ago the auto gearbox went on my wife's Chrysler minivan. She took it to another local shop. I had told her to just get a quote and not to let them take the tools to the car. She phoned me to say that they asked her to leave the car for them to take a look at. It took me half an hour to get there and I arrived to find the gearbox in pieces in a box in the boot. $3500. to repair they said. They charged me $500 to bail out the car and I had it towed to the shop I am now using for my ZT. They did the job for $1800. and offered to testify in court.
That earned my return business!
I understand the book time to do a ZT clutch is 6 hours, but I expect the job to take 10-12 hours as they have never seen a ZT before. They are very experienced, and the procedure must be the same as other FWD manuals.
I am supplying the parts and manuals in case they need them. I will post the results here.

[Rich in Vancouver]

Originally Posted by Rich in Vancouver

Normally I do all my own work but after wrestling the gearbox back into my MGF a few months ago and causing a bout of atrial fibrillation I decided I am getting too old for the heavy stuff. I am wondering what the cost will be as well.
I haven't even asked for a quote, but like I said, I do trust this shop. A few years ago the auto gearbox went on my wife's Chrysler minivan. She took it to another local shop. I had told her to just get a quote and not to let them take the tools to the car. She phoned me to say that they asked her to leave the car for them to take a look at. It took me half an hour to get there and I arrived to find the gearbox in pieces in a box in the boot. $3500. to repair they said. They charged me $500 to bail out the car and I had it towed to the shop I am now using for my ZT. They did the job for $1800. and offered to testify in court.
That earned my return business!
I understand the book time to do a ZT clutch is 6 hours, but I expect the job to take 10-12 hours as they have never seen a ZT before. They are very experienced, and the procedure must be the same as other FWD manuals.
I am supplying the parts and manuals in case they need them. I will post the results here.

I picked the ZT up from the transmission shop today with it's new clutch installed. The difference in function is striking. The old clutch needed strong leg muscles to operate. Now it is very light with a much improved bite point and the noises are gone! The clutch is a Borg and Beck with a metal Tazu slave. Labour cost was $1143.cdn or about 715 of your squids.

In spite of never having heard of MG-ZTs a couple of days ago the shop was able to do the job in 8 1/2 hours, just a bit over the book time and less than I had expected (Certainly less time than it would have taken me!)
They were a bit concerned about doing the clutch without replacing the dual mass flywheel. Apparently replacement is standard practice for them, but I assured them that replacement is generally not necessary on ZTs.
The one part of the car that they thought was very poorly designed was the location of the clutch master cylinder reservoir, and I have to agree with that!
Overall I am very happy with the job.
Next up Belts and water pump. Right after I do the brakes on the wife's Kia.

[Mike Noc]

Time for a little TLC on the Freelander. A quick pre-MOT check revealed a leaking rear diff seal, a couple of corroded brake pipes and a worn tyre, so not too bad.

Before I did any of the work the alternator light came up when taking a relation to the Doctors. Luckily a spare Transit battery came my way last year which fits snugly in the generous battery compartment, and so there was plenty of spare capacity and we made it there and back even with the lights and the windscreen wipers on.

Only needed to replace the brushes on the alternator so did it in place, and now finished the rest of the work and the car is as ready as it is going to be for the MOT.

[macafee2]

In the tourer, fitted the surround to the rear cup holder and refitted the rear seat cushion. I'd replaced the rear cup holder as it was broken, not because it is ever likely to be used.

macafee2

[Arctic]

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

Time for a little TLC on the Freelander. A quick pre-MOT check revealed a leaking rear diff seal, a couple of corroded brake pipes and a worn tyre, so not too bad.

Before I did any of the work the alternator light came up when taking a relation to the Doctors. Luckily a spare Transit battery came my way last year which fits snugly in the generous battery compartment, and so there was plenty of spare capacity and we made it there and back even with the lights and the windscreen wipers on.

Hi Mike.
Good luck on the FL1 I am sure it will pass my Fl2 sailed past in September

[Mike Noc]

They were specific for the alternator John.


I bought them in 2015 on Ebay - can't remember the seller's name but here is the part number:

[Mike Noc]

Originally Posted by Arctic

Hi Mike.
Good luck on the FL1 I am sure it will pass my Fl2 sailed past in September

Thanks Steve - got another year's ticket so happy with that.

[jackatesme]

Did not go shopping in 75 today. X Trail has broken exhaust between back box and middle part,so got into 75 to find clutch fluid has dropped again. Think it needs new slave,might put it under cover for the winter and save up to get new clutch set in the new year.

[bl52krz]

Did the same today as most of the week............nothing. This beautifully rainy last month has put a damper on anything and every thing I want to do to the silver one. Wish I had a double garage.

[Odd Job]

Not today, but tomorrow, I'm going to attempt to change the fuel filter again as last weekend was like monsoon season!!

I'm at work today, so it'll be tomorrow if all goes well.