A Highland Z3 1.9 roadster

[Pls]

With ice outside, and winter coming on, it was time to move the vehicle lift from where it was bolted down under the carport work area outside into the ZedShed proper, where the wood burner, space heater, hot and cold running water and the rocking chair are. Oh, and the tools.



This was achieved with a stout sack barrow, a dolly and a three foot pinch bar, wielded by us two retirees!

The Shed floor has a set of Rawlplug anchor bolt 'nuts' drilled in the concrete floor from previous years, so it was relatively easy to jiggle the lift into position and screw in a new set of bolts.



All ready for the next thing that needs doing, whatever the weather. Meanwhile, we were out exploring another glen, and had to stop rather quickly to put the hood up as a squall headed rapidly towards us.



We also met a lovely old lady born there, who had the friendliest good-natured Collie I've ever met. He was soon in the Zed being stroked!



Cheers

Paul

 

[ktnez99]

Like the move into the Shed, the collie and the gorgeous landscape!

 

[Pls]

Yes, the Shed is much more hospitable! There's room to work on both cars in the warm, if needed. Yesterday there was a small concern on Ray's car.



It was caused by a wayward parking brake shoe spring retainer (which had been replaced by a bolt) having got left in the drum, sitting on top of the lower brake shoe, and occasionally having a rattle to itself! Soon fixed.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Pls]

It was a nice bright dry day today, so a shopping trip to Beauly called for the Z3!
It was -5°C last night but it was up to 0°C during the day, so it was a good test of the draught screen, as well as the winter coats and hats!


Now that its colder, I've noticed that the output from the heater cools down when the revs are below 2000 revs, as in stopping at a junction. I don't know if that's a regular thing, or an indicator that something in the system isn't performing as it should. Any ideas?

Cheers

Paul

 

[t-tony]

Probably a bit of both I would say Paul.
@Stevo7682 may be able to throw some light on it for you.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

I do have a response to this but not in from work yet write up when I get in
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

Thanks Steve.

Tony.

 

[ktnez99]

It was a nice bright dry day today, so a shopping trip to Beauly called for the Z3!
It was -5°C last night but it was up to 0°C during the day, so it was a good test of the draught screen, as well as the winter coats and hats!

View attachment 122753
Now that its colder, I've noticed that the output from the heater cools down when the revs are below 2000 revs, as in stopping at a junction. I don't know if that's a regular thing, or an indicator that something in the system isn't performing as it should. Any ideas?

Cheers

Paul

Great landscape. Not so great re: potential issue though. Fingers crossed it’s nothing.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi Paul hope your keeping well see you have a bit of snow on mountain top had a tiny bit at top of Arran on Sunday

Right your zed if memory serves am I right in thinking that you have done the thermostat and water pump when you were readying it for the road I am also going to assume that your temperature gauge is behaved normally .
Before you noticed your current issue how hot were the heaters on full hot ( should be proper roasting )
Lynne's zed has a similar issue but on hers it's never roasting gets warm but not hot but her problem is a partially blocked heater matrix.
Things to check are .
Firstly find the 2 matrix hoses where they go through the bulkhead with the engine hot ( heater control on full hot blower fan off ) both hoses should be a similar temperature ( as the blowers off no hot air blowing in car which would lower the temperature between the hoses significantly).
Next to look at will be this

This is the heater valve ( seems to control the amount of hot water going through the matrix sits just beside the manifold not far from the bulkhead this is opened by a micro switch on the heater control temp dial ( thanks to @Synclare for enlightening me about that )
Now on that subject I got a heater box earlier in the year ( get you a picture at weekend) what I had noticed is that tucked up the side of the side of the box in the switch wiring loom is a 3 amp fuse.
Hope some if this may help you narrow down your own problem.
Stephen.

 

[Pls]

Great, thank you Stephen, that is most kind. Yes, the temp gauge, thermostat and the water pump would appear to be functioning correctly. And the heater has always been proper roasting! The heater temperature control would seem to work, because when the engine revs are up, at speed, the control will change the air from roasting down to cold and back to roasting. But when stationary, if I take the revs up over 2000, the heater air temp rises, then falls again when I let the revs drop.
So I shall investigate respective hose temps, and the presence and status of the 3amp fuse too.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Stevo7682]

Will try to get a picture location for you.

 

[Pls]

When I got home yesterday, one of the obvious checks I did was the coolant level, of course. Well it was three or four divisions down on the expansion tank, so I topped it up, and it took about half a pint, so not too much, and I didn't think much of it.

So today, we went for a run out at lunchtime as Sara suddenly had a burning desire for a beefburger. It was icy on the top road over the Black Isle to Fortrose, so I was taking it steady, and of necessity driving with the revs quite low as it was my first venture on icy roads in the car. And with the hood down, the heater performed perfectly - a good blast of hot air keeping both hands warm and keeping the cabin temperature comfortable enough not to require hats, even when idling.

So, until the next aberration, I shall be keeping a regular eye on the coolant level, as that is the only thing that I had changed since the previous day.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Stevo7682]

How full is it now Paul

 

[Pls]

How full is it now Paul

I shall check in the morning! Do you think that there may have been / be an airlock?

Cheers

Paul

 

[Stevo7682]

Possible mind there still needs to be an expansion air space

 

[Pls]

Yes I'll make sure not to overfill.

 

[Pls]

I meant that it was three or four divisions below where it should be.

 

[Stevo7682]

Also had another thought make sure when its warmed up that the hoses have some degree of pressure if not the radiator pressure cap may be faulty had this issue with the Dakar new cap from Euro car parts problem solved

 

[Pls]

Thanks Stephen, I shall check that too.

 

[Pls]

After a 1500 mile week's sojourn down south to visit friends and family (Liverpool, Norwich, Watford, Oxford, Newcastle and back to the Highlands) today we went for a run out.



First to the old Slaughterhouse by the slipway in Cromarty for an excellent coffee and DIY toast and honey. The Cromarty/Nigg ferry doesn't run in the winter, even on calm days!



Then off up to Dornoch for some advance Christmas shopping (there is a very good charity shop there). On the way we stopped for a picnic lunch overlooking the Dornoch Firth,



On the way back, we had our first experience of driving through flurries of snow. But it didn't persist and we were home before dark.



The heater worked ok!

Cheers

Paul