75 ZT Coolant Expansion Bottles

Abott10 · 24th December 2015, 23:23

One of the few things I dislike about my ZTs is their opaque Coolant Expansion Bottles.

I like the way you can visually check the coolant levels on the other cars as soon as you lift their bonnets :~

I would prefer a "see through" Bottle for the ZTs. I vaguely remember reading somewhere it is possible to use the bottle from another car on the ZT. From a VW maybe ? ... which enables the coolant level to be seen at a glance.

Has anyone here fitted a different bottle to their ZT or 75? If so, I'd be interested to have more details.

clf · 24th December 2015, 23:41

the VW one, is very good, but it does take a lot of space.

I can't see any reason why there would be any issues fitting an alternative, providing the pressure would be the same. (not even sure that would cause an issue or not, but keeping them the same would seem sensible)

kaiser · 25th December 2015, 06:34

You can use any bottle you wish. The only thing to remember is to place it at the same height, or be aware, that if at another height than intended, the markings (MIN MAX) are off.

The design of the box, and also the material is not that good. I have had one develop a crack, so this is surely a thing to come for many others too in time to come.

I wonder what would be a good replacement, and where to fit it.?

T-Cut · 25th December 2015, 09:27

THe VW tank was fitted by dattrike.

These have conductivity probe which he wired to the screen wash level system.

TC

Jules · 25th December 2015, 10:17

With a strong torch the tank is opaque enough.
I prefer not to even remove the cap !!!
The beauty of a torch is that the level can be checked when hot.
I have a shot of the side of the tank somewhere but this will have to do for now

Jules · 25th December 2015, 13:05

Very well put John !

I can safely say in my 32 years of driving (all in British cars) I've never broken down or being stranded due to neglect !!

3 breakdowns spring to mind which were beyond my control........

PAS steering hose rupture Triumph Stag
Alternator fail
Rotor arm shear Astra Mk2

vindaloo · 25th December 2015, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

.............

I can safely say in my 32 years of driving (all in British cats) I've never broken down or being stranded due to neglect..............

OK Jules your secret is out, you've been kidding us all these years, you really drive a Jaguar

Like your goodself, I too use a bright torch placed directly on top of the header tank which clearly shows the coolant level in all but bright sunshine, without cap removal.

Jules · 25th December 2015, 15:09

Heh heh Cheers Jim
I must wear my newly acquired 1st pair of glasses ever.

Age 52 and been blessed with 20/20 vision........until now so I mustn't grumble

vindaloo · 25th December 2015, 15:13

Even those with 20/20 vision suffer the ravages of time I'm afraid. Most of us over 50 need reading glasses even though distance vision may be perfect as is mine (although I cheated and had laser eye surgery about 13 years ago).

Jules · 25th December 2015, 15:26

Luckily a friend of mine from school is a top optometrist so I get a very good deal on specs.

He's just made me a pair of prescription safety glasses for the 75 workshop.
Absolutely brill !!

24th December 2015, 23:23	#1
Abott10 * Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 227 Thanks: 1,275 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,328 Posts	75 ZT Coolant Expansion Bottles One of the few things I dislike about my ZTs is their opaque Coolant Expansion Bottles. I like the way you can visually check the coolant levels on the other cars as soon as you lift their bonnets :~ I would prefer a "see through" Bottle for the ZTs. I vaguely remember reading somewhere it is possible to use the bottle from another car on the ZT. From a VW maybe ? ... which enables the coolant level to be seen at a glance. Has anyone here fitted a different bottle to their ZT or 75? If so, I'd be interested to have more details.

24th December 2015, 23:41	#2
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	the VW one, is very good, but it does take a lot of space. I can't see any reason why there would be any issues fitting an alternative, providing the pressure would be the same. (not even sure that would cause an issue or not, but keeping them the same would seem sensible) __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!

25th December 2015, 06:34	#3
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	You can use any bottle you wish. The only thing to remember is to place it at the same height, or be aware, that if at another height than intended, the markings (MIN MAX) are off. The design of the box, and also the material is not that good. I have had one develop a crack, so this is surely a thing to come for many others too in time to come. I wonder what would be a good replacement, and where to fit it.? __________________ Worth his V8 in gold

25th December 2015, 10:17	#5
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	With a strong torch the tank is opaque enough. I prefer not to even remove the cap !!! The beauty of a torch is that the level can be checked when hot. I have a shot of the side of the tank somewhere but this will have to do for now __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

25th December 2015, 13:05	#6
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	Very well put John ! I can safely say in my 32 years of driving (all in British cars) I've never broken down or being stranded due to neglect !! 3 breakdowns spring to mind which were beyond my control........ PAS steering hose rupture Triumph Stag Alternator fail Rotor arm shear Astra Mk2 __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block Last edited by Jules; 25th December 2015 at 15:10..

25th December 2015, 09:27	#4
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,754 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	THe VW tank was fitted by dattrike. These have conductivity probe which he wired to the screen wash level system. TC

25th December 2015, 15:09	#8
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	Heh heh Cheers Jim I must wear my newly acquired 1st pair of glasses ever. Age 52 and been blessed with 20/20 vision........until now so I mustn't grumble __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

25th December 2015, 15:13	#9
vindaloo Ex Owner MX-5 ND2 RF Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leigh Posts: 6,574 Thanks: 462 Thanked 799 Times in 524 Posts	Even those with 20/20 vision suffer the ravages of time I'm afraid. Most of us over 50 need reading glasses even though distance vision may be perfect as is mine (although I cheated and had laser eye surgery about 13 years ago).

25th December 2015, 15:26	#10
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	Luckily a friend of mine from school is a top optometrist so I get a very good deal on specs. He's just made me a pair of prescription safety glasses for the 75 workshop. Absolutely brill !! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block