[Brian W Tumbler]

Hi Folks The ZT-T has yet another problem I think the clutch release bearing has gone phut I have difficulty in engaging first gear and when changing down it crunches going into second. The reason I suspect the bearing is that when i lift my foot of the throttle there is a whine from the gearbox area almost like if the starter was engaged with the engine running if I dip the clutch the noise goes away similarly if i knock it out of gear the noise goes away.
So the questions are 1) could this be the release bearing? 2) if so what kind of job is it to do 3) what do I need in the way of special tools and what are the tricky bits 4) has the time come to get rid of this ZTT lots of hassle over the last few months I see a BMW on the horizon

All comments appreciated

 

[Brian W Tumbler]

Nobody got any ideas?

 

[morris-mg]

I see a BMW on the horizon

Wash your mouth out!

I wouldn't have thought a release bearing would cause that but without hearing or seeing it not sure. Sounds more like internal gearbox fault.
How many miles has it done? Have you noticed any oil leaks?

 

[Brian W Tumbler]

Hi Morris -MG I hate to say it but this was my first thoughts but these fears were alaid when I spoke to 3 ex Rover dealers and was told they have never had any gearbox problems with these cars.
There are no oil leaks and the car has only done 58k miles with no abuse.
I can garuntee if this is box fault it will be down the road quicker than you can say ZTT and a 530 diesel estate in its place as i am hacked off with the reliabilty of this thing
Regards
Brian T

 

[e668ecp]

The clutch problem is well known and affected all 2002-2004 BMW's, Rover 75 diesels and ZT diesels. I had mine replaced 2 months after I got it. Its a BMW design fault.

 

[morris-mg]

Surely a release bearing wouldn't cause the gears to crunch? Never seen that.

 

[morris-mg]

Did you get to the bottom of the problem?

 

[CDTi]

The clutch problem is well known and affected all 2002-2004 BMW's, Rover 75 diesels and ZT diesels. I had mine replaced 2 months after I got it. Its a BMW design fault.

I take it the problem was sorted for 2004 cars onwards?

Any idea what the issue was? It must have been a modification if it only affected cars in the middle of the production run.

 

[Brian W Tumbler]

hi Mg morris
Took the box out yesterday and as we suspected something in the box had gone phut put it into the transmission specialist and got the phone call at 4pm to say the box was beyond repair the crown wheel and pinion had chips out of them and every gear has bits out of them. he tells me its not uncommon to get these boxes in this state he has done "dozens" of them and suggest the dealers are lying when they say they have not experienced any problems with them.
i should mention the box had plenty of oil in it when we removed it so not a lubrication problem just not the best quality? with these kind of quality issuses is it any surprise Rover went under 2 years old 50k miles gearbox brake discs front and rear front shocks alternator 2xfuel pumps handbrake that works for a millisecond after adjustment

Going to BWM dealer Tomorrow see if i can unload this thing on to some other mug

 

[Greg]

What engine is it? If it's a diesel then it's a BM unit.

Still - get yourself into a lovely BMW. It's more expensive do it must be better, right? And hope it never goes wrong - will cost almost as much to fix as you ZTT cost to buy!

 

[Alex30013k]

Hay HO....

 

[MikeM]

Brian's last post on this thread was 5 months ago

 

[myjess]

And he must have got himself a beemer!

I wouls love to know how that has worked out for him. Mod's, get on the e-mail to him!

Brian's last post on this thread was 5 months ago

 

[Brian W Tumbler]

Update

Well Guys As I am sure most of you will have realised by now the ZT-T is away and i have bought amyself an S-type Jaguar 3lt PETROl ok a bit sore on fuel apart from that no problems in the 8 months i have owned it it has now done 18000 with not so much as bulb. I do however miss the ZT even with its faults should the Chinkc bring it back i would probably buy another as it will in my opinion be better made than the the last version
All the best To Everyone on this site i will pop back occasionally

Bee Tee