7th Jan 2009, 17:18

I have a 52 plate MG ZR, which I have just taken off my ex as she refused to pay the loan payments.

Anyway, I drove the car and was very very disappointed. It refused to go over 60 mph on the motorway and did about 20 mph flat out in first gear. I haven't drove this car for a year, and even though it has always been slow, I can't remember it being this bad.

The car had 30,000 miles on the clock when I bought it, and has only 52,000 on the clock now. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with it.

I have driven many turbo diesels before, and have always felt and heard the turbo's kick in, but never felt that with the MG. Do you think it may be a turbo problem? Any info would be a great help.

Thanks.

8th Jan 2009, 10:11

There is definitely something wrong with the car; they are nippy for what they are normally. Join this free forum and post in the 'diesel section', and post the symptoms, and they will help you find what is wrong.

http://forums.mg-rover.org/

To me it sounds like either:

1) Your mass air flow sensor is dead (if it is, then the car won't rev over 3000 RPM, but should rev up to 4500). To check for this, unplug the sensor and go for a drive; if it pulls better low down - hey presto, you have found the fault and need to buy a new sensor.

2) Split intercooler pipes (look for lots of black smoke).

3) The arm on the wastegate has fallen off. Look down behind the engine, and you should see the turbo. Just check that everything is as it should be.

If you don't join the site, at least browse through the posts and threads in the diesel section, as your car is not running right. These aren't slow cars; mine with a bit of tuning can best Saxo VTS's and Fiesta STs in a straight line.

12th Jan 2009, 15:09

Have you found the problem yet?

17th Feb 2009, 13:32

There is loads you can do to these engines for more power. A simple decat pipe (available off eBay - but make sure it is the right diameter, as I think bhpboosters sells one which is too narrow to help performance) and remap or tuning box would see a big difference, and knock the BHP up to around 130/135 with 200lbs ft of torque-ish.

A really good modification is to swap the injectors for the ones out of any of the older Rover L series (200/400/600) Rovers, as they are 200 bar pressure rather than the 210 bar, which yours will be - meaning they flow more fuel. Just adding the SDI injectors gives similar to the remap and decat, but add it all together (custom remap last, as it has to work around your other mods) and you will have 150 BHP+, and will be as quick as cars like Fiesta ST's and Rover Vi's in a straight line, even from standing.

My car has

- SDI injectors (£17)

- Panel air filter (£30)

- Raised boost (free, turned actuator rod, but make sure it's within the safe limit with a boost gauge - the safe limit is anything under 19psi on these turbo's)

- Remap (£250)

My car goes quick enough now that I will leave it at that. I already get wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and 3rd in anything other than perfect conditions, giving it some stick, and the torque steer is noticeable.

Also worth mentioning that my average MPG with just a remap and decat went up to 47-50 MPG mixed driving, and with the SDI's as well it returned to what I was getting before adding modifications, at 45-47 MPG for the same driving style.

20th May 2011, 18:50

It's been a while since I last posted. Didn't get round to modifying the engine in any way, other than fitting a K&N air filter. The car has been off the road for just under a year because the head gasket has gone. Should have enough to get this sorted within the next few weeks. Can't wait to get back behind the wheel. Have been driving a Peugeot 106 1.5 diesel since June last year, and that is just becoming unbearable now.