Adz

It's just Hammerite smooth gold spray. When I first started spraying I was thinking it's gona be a horrible shiny gold, but turned out exactly how I wanted it, matt finish. I used a grey Etching primer underneath

Got bored doing what im supposed to be doing today, and decided to paint the plenum and throttle body. Thought while my engine is in lots of pieces I'd get it done. Will upload pics of it fitted once car is in one piece. What do u think... Before After

It dont feel like it could be a dangerous fault, like anythings gona suddenly fall off. I resent having to take my cars to a garage, unless its for MOT, tyres or tuning etc. Im a competent mechanic so will work out the problem and fix it myself, was just hoping someone on here has heard of the same problem and could save me a bit of time diagnosing. Im thinking its probably to do with a perished bush somewhere?

Yeah there is no noise or whining as you`d expect from bearings, it just literally shakes the steering wheel like a hammer drill. Will try get a video up in the next few days if I can, it will show how violent the shake is.

@ brillomaster... Tyres were balanced etc, and pressures are spot on. Ive given the wheel/hub a wobble to check bearings but this seams ok. Ive got some big work to do on the engine soon, so will check bushes etc when i do that. @KUGT4... This happens if under load or just coasting round a left corner. If i brake while the steering is juddering, this usually stops it. Like I say it used to do it if I hit a pot hole or uneven ground, but now it does it all the time when turning left since having new tyres.

Right ive had this problem since I brought the car nearly a year ago, however since having 4 new tyres fitted this issue has become a lot more evident. When im cruising along usually anything above 20mph, and turning slightly left to go round a gradual bend, the steering wheel shakes/judders like hell. Before having new tyres fitted this only really happened if I hit a small pot hole while turning left, however now it just happens pretty much every left turn I make. Any ideas what could be causing this? Edit: PS fluid is at correct level, No bubbles in reservoir when steering,

I don't have a lift or means to get the car high enough to drop the engine. I'm gona have to think about this again as you have opened my eyes a little wider. Thanks for your advice Mark

Looks easy to get at the timing chains etc do with the bumper, front cross bar and radiator removed. I didn't think the rear part of the timing cover needs removing, just the 2 half pieces that lock down the cams?

Thanks Mark!! There's no way I can argue with that advice from someone like yourself. I've only had the car for nearly a year, so not exactly familiar with the VQ engine. I Just feel the symptoms I'm getting from driving the car daily, generally point towards stem seals and not oil control rings. Think I need to reconsider what I'm going to do and find some more spare cash and make space in the garage. Either that or take a risk, ignore your sound advice and just whip the cams off and replace the stem seals with the heads still in place. Wouldn't take me too long and would only cost me the price of the seals.

Thanks Mark!! Yeah im fairly certain its the Valve seals. Using about 300ml of oil a month (800 miles), and getting blue ish smoke. Ive been running silenced decats for about 3 months, then it started smoking about 5-6 weeks after I fitted them. Usually smokes on first start up, then calms down until engine has warmed up. It then only starts smoking during and after over-run, and when the car is being driven in slow moving traffic. When the car is cruising there is no visible smoke. Am I right in thinking that if the Oil Control Rings are shot, then it would smoke constantly? not just on over-run etc.

Can anyone recommend a Valve spring compressor tool? Looking to buy a new one

That's too much messing around for me. Id prefer to just take the heads out and do it in the workshop, and I can also put a new head gasket in at the same time

Haha of corse. Don't think I've seen urs about. I see a silver Z parked in Bedgrove and a blue Z in meadocroft but don't think I've seen another gm grey. Hopefully see u about m8. If u see me gimmie a nod

Ok nice1. What color is your Z?

Thanks MrChow but I won't be able to start it until the following weekend unfortunately, otherwise I would have been extremely grateful for another pair of hands. Do you live in Aylesbury MrChow?

How much are the seals ZMANALEX?

Nice1, I did look on their site but didn't find them. Will give them a call

Hi I will soon be removing the heads to replace the valve guide seals. However I'm finding it difficult to find anywhere in the UK that sells the seals (only searched on Google so far). Can anyone recommend a place that sells these? Will also need head gasket set and bolts

Yeah I see a few zed's floating around here. Always try give them the nod but no one really pays attention. Don't think they are on the forum. Will keep a look out for ya

This was me Just typed Aylesbury into the search and found this. Hi!!

Haha that's where it's hidden, my bad!!

Will do!! This forum could do with a " How To" section (unless there is one which I've not found yet)

Thanks, currently doing the same to the rest of the switches. Im not a fan of the original amber/orange LED's As you do it take some pictures if you can to post on here. Sure lot's of people will find it interesting and a brave few may even attempt it themselves. Yeah sounds like a plan. Done a few 'How Too's on previous car forums on replacing LED'S etc

Thanks, currently doing the same to the rest of the switches. Im not a fan of the original amber/orange LED's

Here's a pic of the heater controls