MG ZS EV has no under-engine bay splash shield

[KasEV]

@Chrispydoc,
Would you by any chance consider offering a underside waxoiling service to us all after lockdown? I have been trying for the last few days to get someone nearby to ramp up the ZS EV for waxoiling after I have cleaned but I am getting nowhere.

 

[Chrispydoc]

There are folk near me that did it commercially, specialising in MGB's I think

....once this virus madness is over I can enquire again.

I currently have a half restored DeLorean on my lift.

....I have been retired for over a decade, but I sometimes help my mates out when I can.

 

[KasEV]

@ Chrispydoc.
Excellent pictures. Quite a unit you have there. Well spacious and well equipped.
Restoration is time consuming and I am sure you are quite busy so it's very kind of you to fit in friends when you can.

 

[Powerstick]

In the late 1960's when I was an apprentice garage mechanic, I remember asking to an 'old boy' about preventing cars rotting. (In those days, British cars used to almost melt away almost in front of your eyes! )
He asked me....."what do you think is the best liquid to prevent rust"?... Oil says I ? His reply surprised me......"No... young man, ......WATER! "

This was in the days before plastic wheel-arch trims, Waxoyl, etc and mud and road crap used to get thrown up and jammed into every crevice and crack.......and it stayed there, damp... for days / weeks.. causing body rot.

To this day, every time I wash my car, I start and finish by sticking the hose pipe under the wheel arches and along the bottom of the car and hosing away until it runs clear...job done. . It's dry again within hours.

The waxoyl is just an extra layer of protection to the areas where you cant really get at....but then again, they usually remain clear of thrown up muck anyway. I just don't like to see rust anywhere on my cars, including nuts bolts suspension...anywhere.

I personally would never use a pressure washer on a car...it forces water into places that were never designed to resist.

I find about half a gallon of waxoyl is enough, by the time you've thinned it down a bit with WD 40 / diesel or similar. Then a compressor and oil gun type sprayer will do the job ....but it so fine it gets everywhere...hence my covering everything up to prevent overspray.

I repeat this procedure every couple of years......but I know I'm a bit odd....most off my family's cars end up on my lift for the same treatment.....rust is not a problem for any of us.

Exactly what do you mean by sticking the pipe under the wheel arches? Simply just the plastic/fabric lining right??

 

[Mgkev]

No plastic liners back in those days! Although I do remove the liners today in mid-winter and spring to v CNN lean out any muck.

 

[Chrispydoc]

Well......plastic linings are a fairly modern invention and the latest permeable fabric one..an even newer idea.
This came from a time in the 1950/60/ 70/80's...when all you had under your wheel arches was half a layer of paint and lots of places where muck and mud could collect. Above headlight bowles, around suspension brackets (still similar). and mostly around the curved edges of the wings and wheel arches. The end of the sills was always a good collection point.....even on fairly late ...up to 06 Rover 75's. You see rotted sills and jacking points. Modern cars are much better, but I still get my hose pipe under the wings and keep it flowing until it runs clean...I wipe the sponge around the gap between the wing / plastic join..and hose again.I also hose under the sills It only adds 5 mins to car cleaning session. I feel this is very important during the winter...salt on the road etc.

I like the idea by MGkev about removing the liners occasionally.....I'd waxoyl under there before I put them back.

The whole point of the exercise is to ensure that the car dries out ASAP..when its been wet......if its covered in mud and filth....it could take days....instead of a few hours.

 

[Mgkev]

If you unscrew and pull away the front wheel arch liners where they attach to the sills you will be surprised at how much collects there. Although the MG is pretty good here compared to Toyotas which resemble a sludge pit.
Don’t forget to grease the fixing screws upon reassembly.

 

[KeithG]

Interesting reading this post. I suppose the obvious reason for a large hole under the engine compartment would seem to be cost saving. However, I had wondered why the front grill of my MG ZS EV was all holes and not a solid design like the Kia e-Niro. Could it be that because the car was originally designed for hot climates, it allows the maximum air flow into and through the air conditioning radiator and out under the car? Road salt is not an issue in these countries. They have obviously put a panel protector in, with presumably some thought to shape, design and purpose and the extra cost for filling the hole would seem small. So is it either the most efficient for air conditioning, or a compromise aerodynamically or never been adapted for cooler climates? The other question I asked was, why is there HEAVY soundproofing in the bonnet, reducing range, when there is no sound from the engine.I still love my MG. Have fun.

 

[Mark Holmes]

Interesting reading this post. I suppose the obvious reason for a large hole under the engine compartment would seem to be cost saving. However, I had wondered why the front grill of my MG ZS EV was all holes and not a solid design like the Kia e-Niro. Could it be that because the car was originally designed for hot climates, it allows the maximum air flow into and through the air conditioning radiator and out under the car? Road salt is not an issue in these countries. They have obviously put a panel protector in, with presumably some thought to shape, design and purpose and the extra cost for filling the hole would seem small. So is it either the most efficient for air conditioning, or a compromise aerodynamically or never been adapted for cooler climates? The other question I asked was, why is there HEAVY soundproofing in the bonnet, reducing range, when there is no sound from the engine.I still love my MG. Have fun.

It’s a great car and really good value compared to other EV’s on the market at this time.

 

[Gazza]

maybe this could solve the problem

 

[Chrispydoc]

Well good luck with that! After weeks of waiting my order was eventually cancelled.