Winter preparation

[Jon Jeffryes]

I intend to use the zed during the better dry days in winter (top down of course). Whilst I think there is something special about driving the car on crisp clear winter days, the chance of being caught in the rain and the higher use of salt on the roads is a real concern.

So in preparation, I dragged myself under the car to check all of the rustproofing was sound and everything was in good order (which it was). However at some time in it's life, my car had lost it's engine and gearbox under -trays.

I bought an engine tray from EBAY - the part arrived yesterday and was like new....but it did cost £75 delivered! Also it had come off of a 1.9 and my car is a 2.2. I'd asked on this site and checked the part numbers and they seemed to confirm that the tray would be fine for my car.

However when it came to fitting, a little bit of fettling was required as it did not clear the alternator trunking on the passenger side.


A little bit of ad hoc adjustment with the trusty Dremel fitted with a cutting disc

...and we have a perfect fit! For now I've attached the rear lugs with cable ties until I can buy a gearbox tray and complete the fit with that in place.

 

[Brian H]

Well done for the perseverance Jon, it does look like a good fit now. Most later car did not come with these trays fitted for some reason, I do not know if it was a cooling issue or what.

 

[Jon Jeffryes]

Thanks Brian, I suspect it was cost saving..my car most certainly had one fitted as all of the fittings for screws and bolts in place, just not the tray.

I'm a lot happier with the tray in place as it will hopefully afford a good deal of protection to the engine and ancillaries in wet weather.

 

[GazHyde]

Don't think mine has seen much in the way of a garage in it's life, and has averaged about 8.5k per year - but no obvious corrosion issues (as yet) from the salt as yet other than on things like the exhaust bolts, and brake linings.

Good to see another Zed being used throughout the winter. Some of my most memorable drives have been during the winter, or at times the less hardy will be out in another car!

 

[Jon Jeffryes]

I'm lucky that it's not the main car so I can pick and choose when the zed will be used......but used it will be. Last time I ran a convertible in winter it was a Alfa Romeo 916 Spider which was fabulous and survived a couple of winters with no ill effects...so the zed should breeze through

 

[littlefeller]

i use mine all year around (daily), no problems so far

 

[Tracy Dee]

Same here always left outside as well.
No leaks no problems.

 

[Jon Jeffryes]

My car lives in it's garage thankfully looking at the weather outside

 

[Antm72]

My car lives in it's garage thankfully looking at the weather outside

You and me both its terrible out there at the moment

 

[Tracy Dee]

Yes its wet .
But cleans up almost like new when needed.

 

[t-tony]

Mine lives in the garage, but in all honesty that's because I hate defrosting cars in the winter more than any other reason!

Tony.

 

[One Spanner Frank]

When I leave my car in the garage it tends to attract rust. On the drive it seems to be O.K.
I have the under trays fitted to my Z3 2.8 automatic and they throw up warnings on the M o T. Under trays fitted obscuring components.

 

[Jon Jeffryes]

When I leave my car in the garage it tends to attract rust. On the drive it seems to be O.K.
I have the under trays fitted to my Z3 2.8 automatic and they throw up warnings on the M o T. Under trays fitted obscuring components.

Yes, I have a little road rash around the lower edges of the sill covers that the po left for me to attend to...I believe the car was an everyday (local routes) driver before I bought it, but it should be a reasonably easy fix when time allows...this is where being garaged will help.

The under trays are always noted on my wife's cooper S so I will join the club on the Zed 3 next year...the Jag is 18 months off it's first MOT...looking at the complete closure on the the underside of that will be a real laugh for the tester...cannot wait to see what the comment is there ;-)

Jon

 

[Hugo]

When I leave my car in the garage it tends to attract rust. On the drive it seems to be O.K.
I have the under trays fitted to my Z3 2.8 automatic and they throw up warnings on the M o T. Under trays fitted obscuring components.

Within a few months of buying mine last year it came out in rust. Around boot lock, front of side skirts and each front side wing. All sorted now.