The Number 1 Tip For Rover 75 and MG ZT Owners - Almost Killed My Car

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This video was meant to be just a tip video but as it turns out even the people dishing the tips out need to take them from time to time ;)
Almost killed my cars ECU by not checking my Plenum drains as regularly as I needed to.
In this video I'll be showing you the drains for the Rover 75 and MG ZT and giving the number 1 tip for all owners of these models (including the tourer models) so you don't end up like me (broken down at a petrol station)
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[@johnbroadmeadow5433]

Hi Tom. You can check and rod the lower drain in the plenum chamber quickly by doing the spy hole mod. With this simple mod you don't have to remove any of the plastic scuttle to check or rod.. It's simply unclip the small plastic scuttle on the passenger side to reveal the main plastic scuttle panel. The spy hole mod involves drilling a 25mm hole in the main plastic scuttle panel directly above the drain tube in the plenum chamber.. You can then quickly access this in seconds to see down there and check for blockages and Rod it out.. Once done a rubber grommet bung can be fitted over the newly drilled hole ( cost penny's from halfords) to stop water entering. Once checked you then replace your small cover by simply clipping it back on Once this mod is done, it litterarly takes seconds to check buddy 👍👍

[@bargepoled]

Or get Jules plennum mod and never worry about rodding plennums again.

[@richardwalker5492]

Get yourself some fish tank filter foam (cheap on eBay) and put it above the outer drain areas. This will stop leaves blocking them. And you must cut off the duck bills from the drain tubes.

[@northerner1374]

Top tip! First thing I did when I got my 04 but I’ll keep checking it regular now 👍🏻

[@cantaloupe4715]

I had to scrap mine because it was ridden off :(

[@michaeltutty1540]

You are missing some pieces of cowling that keep some of the detritus out of that area. Check out the latest Hubnut video, as he just got a 75, and cleaned out the drains and changed the cabin filter on his. There is a third drain under the ECU that also clogs up.

[@alexwild4350]

"Not the worst thing I've ever fingered" LMAO ! Top commentary!!! Edit - at the end, as you pass the rear door, the glass is covered with condensation on the inside. This might be cause of the water in the cab, but also, I think you changed the rear light 'yoga mat seals', but it could indicate the boot is not as dry as might be hoped. Yoga Mats are usually, or were, made of Neoprene, the stuff they make divers wet suits out of. These days, with China, it might be something else. Perhaps PPE foam. Going to Tesco's where Yoga Mats can often be found for a fiver, you could knock up some seals yourself making it a bit generous on the corner where they always go, with plenty of material left over for another set, or something else useful somewhere else. Happy days. Glad you made the video, and I watched until the end to learn there are three holes, one of which is right under the cabin filter where the ECU is.

[@bargepoled]

When I bought my ZT I discovered my plennums were blocked and water was dangerously close to the ECU. Sorted it quickly then bought the plennum filter from the forum member Jules on the 75andZt forum. Fitted it in 5 mins. This sorts the drivers side plennum. I used some fine mesh to stop leaves etc blocking the passenger side plennum. These fixes will ensure the plennum under the ECU doesn't get blocked either. Both simple fixes.

[@radiocaroline199]

A big thank you for video checked my rover 75 and it was full of water got about 6 Lt out you saved my rover ecu and carpets from getting soaked

[@banpowel9784]

Buy a plenum guard, this is pretty common in many cars, that's why the guard is a must to prevent any damp building up on the car, which can lead to more serious issues.

[@allsortsabouteverything]

Get some coarse wire wool(preferably the copper variety so it doesn't corrode)and put some down the plenum holes but make sure you leave it proud at the top. This should filter any water to prevent things like leaves blocking the drain. Keep up the good work and keep enjoying your 75.

[@admiralalcatraz6080]

I am guessing you are already a memeber of the ZT&75 club forum? There is a guy on there called Jules that makes a mesh mod kit that stops them blocking. Not that expensive either if I remember right. My petrol did it. Although the ECU on the petrol is sealed a bit better than the diesels. Also there is aanother drain at the bottom under the ECU, my jack handle fits through it perfect :)

[@iamthefatstig]

I was just about to say "Someone on the FB group had this the other day!".....Hmmm, Ah well. This happened to my SLK in Scotland the other year. Standing water on the road + blocked drains = 3 days of my holiday with the seats/ carpets and ECU bridge out drying as it had filled the whole panel enough to brim over through the pollen filter and blower motor, straight onto the passenger's feet. I did note some green corrosion already on the ECU tray, so it was probably a good thing in hindsight as it meant I could remedy that. Like yours, my 75 sits under a tree (a conifer in my case) and daily picking of organic detritus has become a ritual.

[@35geordielad]

Unfortunately the rover 75s do suffer flooding of the pendum chamber if not regularly maintained. It happened to me flooded the ecu. Luckily I it tried out okay. Also seal the rear light cluster assemblies, as the seals fail .

[@YITTIyackbaer]

Hey Tom wich product do you use to style your hairs ? it looks amazing

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great video, just picked the keys up to my 75 today and found the back passenger carpet sopping wet, only one side through, will have a look at the drains in the daylight.

[@tomdrives]

You’ll love it, great cars. Sounds like the light seals but I could be wrong, mine had the same issue when I bought it.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

@@tomdrives never thought of that. Yeah not really driven it much today, hoping to get out tomorrow and take it down the coast, but just the short drives I have used it for today I am impressed.

[@brianredmond4919]

My 75 tourer was leaking at the side chrome strip and flooded the spare wheel well and soaked the rear seat .

[@FromThe9thDimension]

Bloody hell, imma check my ZT right now!

[@Jonathan-dq8hb]

Had a similar problem with my '90 Cavalier. I used a shop vac to clean the trough and make sure the drains are free. It still has wet floors after a rain. So now i put a tarp over it. Maybe water comes in around the windshield .

[@CortinasAndClassics]

If you can, get under the car and cut the drain tubes underneath at an angle. It helps to stop them clogging at the bottom.

[@AliMackMechanical]

Hey there mate I just did a video a few months ago on the Audi a4. I unblock them with a big screw driver with the water in them lol and it was great fun. 😂😂👍

[@tomdrives]

Hooked on Classics I’ll look at that thanks :)

[@chrisrobinson3679]

Also wondering what the difference in clutch setup is between diesel and petrol manual, owned a diesel zt-t for almost 5 years clutch replaced before I owned the car but 6 months later no pedal, had the master cylinder replaced to the all metal one from rimmer and have been topping the fluid up through the master cylinder for 4 years now but the application for the metal slave cylinder sais petrol cars only any advice on this cheers

[@nick9669]

I can’t emphasise how important it is to clear the middle drain under the pollen filter and the ECU. Takes 15 mins to do and could save your car. I did mine earlier, used a cheap siphon from Halfords (4 quid) to get the water out and a wire coat hanger unravelled to clear the tubes. Not an expensive job to do. 75 Tourer v6.

[@bargepoled]

Get the plennum filter mod fitted and you'll never have to worry about this again.

[@nick9669]

@@bargepoled Yep, did this a month or so ago. Got the parts from Jules on the 75andZt forums. Well recommended.

[@bargepoled]

@@nick9669 good stuff. What Jules doesn't know about these cars isn't worth knowing. Had the pleasure of visiting him in North Wales for a fan replacement. Top chap.

[@daveslife9486]

Love the videos you're a very cool person 😉

[@tomdrives]

Cheers Dave :)

[@steveburn8125]

Wow, didn’t know that, just bought an 06 plated cdti will check immediately, and monitor.

[@Thecarman1994]

Hello Tom. It happened to me the other night with torrential rain and my Fiat Coupe. The heavy rain and wind direction threw water into the pollen filter and then down into footwell. Drain holes are all clean.

[@tomdrives]

Paul Leonard I’m not too sure, I’ve never had that happen with mine before? Does your car have a sunroof?

[@Thecarman1994]

@@tomdrives hello Tom, no sunroof. I can only assume that the amount of rain was greater than the drain could cope with. Washed the car yesterday, and no problems. Keep up your videos. Don't sweat though. You are better than that !

[@phillarsson8253]

The #1 thing any Rover 75 owner needs to do, is to tear out the rubbers from underneath that sit in those plenum holes. Had this drowning phenomenum once on mine when I was at about 200000kms. Removed them shit-rubbers and I'm at 535 000 currently without any further worry on that part.

[@rikiiburnett6324]

Hii I own a 2000 2.5 v6 Rover connoisseur 75 ..my Rover wont Rev over 3000 rpm however it starts up every pop but sometimes it its starts and runs like a dream ..its a bit of both.. would you have any idea what's going on ..no engine warning light comes on at time this is happening

[@davidtwine1218]

Hi Tom. Just watched you tour of Europe vid, brilliant. You mentioned your car really didn't like the heat? I drove my 75 from Nuneaton to Portsmouth non stop on Aug 7, first day of the heatwave, on the movie she was the dream machine but back in town she idled like a sack of shitre! Did you find this with yours in Europe? Dave I have a 75 Connie SE 2 5 Auto Petrol, so gorgeous I want to eat it !!

[@davidtwine1218]

Idle problem now solved, disconnected both VIS motors and then immediately reconnect them, rough idling problem gone, drives beautifully now

[@chrisrobinson3679]

My offside one has a rubber plug in it ? Any ideas and should I remove it

[@boywarrick]

There are two drains in the large plenum, not just one. The other is under the brake booster and can't be reached from the top. Get under the car and clean them both out... you have less chance of having issues if all 4 scuttle/plenum drains are clean.

[@JohnDoe-ox5ni]

I'm going to buy a automatic draper sump pump that will hopefully work .as I'm fed up of siphoning the water out using my mouth and a crappy bit of hose on the side of the road.or I could just unblock the drain holes ..Thanks for this chap.legend.PS iv currently been locked out of mine with keys on drivers seat...Fun times...I think I'm going to have to smash a window..as its a estate its going to have to be the rear door ski hatch window .as easiest to replace by a hamfist like me!but the rear window cost me a good 60 squid .and should bolt right in.but I just haven't got the fire to start smashing it yet just in case someone knows a better way?

[@yorkshire6458]

Use a hoover that allows water to be sucked and clean the drain hole good

[@elizabethrowlands9419]

dont forget to seal the rear lights as well , or the boot will flood !i used black window seal from poundland !not silicone .

[@yasminetoeava6464]

ours floods all the time we just bought a rover 2007 75.

[@Scuba72Chris]

Don't forget to replace that saturated cabin air filter as well, or you'll constantly have damp musty air blowing into the car.

[@tomdrives]

Yep! Got one on order smelled like the sea side at one point (car used to live by the sea at one point)

[@sammytheseal2307]

I'll bet this is the reason many have been sent to scrap along the years!

[@elmerhomero666]

u need the hose pipe of the drainer... without it the water can't go where it has too.

[@tutsywutsy]

I have this problem with ep light and no oil light ,cleaned it all out cleared drain pipes dried out the ecu put it all back together still got lights on dash ep and no oil light .do you think the fuse box has got soaked and is not responding as I still can't communicate with obd ?

[@JohnDoe-ox5ni]

I think its ronnied mate!sorry .

[@tutsywutsy]

@@JohnDoe-ox5ni I scrapped it

[@JohnDoe-ox5ni]

@@tutsywutsy Never mind .it probably was totally beyond economical repair as matching a new ECU is silly money and you could easily go down the rabbit hole with some have a go hero self proclaimed (expert)who would have just bled you dry and still have a car probably more broken than before.And if you hear any one saying you have got to break a egg to make a omelet.. best walk away before paying them to take your car apart and leave it in bits and then they start charging you for storage. Been my experience anyway!Best go and try again with a good example of a 75 and try prevent the problems before they happen. Once bitten twice shy.unless you are a moron.lol

[@miljororforsprakpartiet290]

What the hell was it with early 2000's cars and water trapping? BMWs filled their fucking doors with water as well.

[@westcoast747]

Does the MG ZT have the same issue?

[@tomdrives]

Yes all diesel 75/ZT do

[@tukaruss8680]

I got spy hole mod on all 5 of mine

[@darrenwestley7348]

Spy hole mod, had my car 15years no problems

[@lauriecooper8194]

VW/Audi are bad for this problem. Had to unblock my wife's nearly new Audi last week, & the Golfs she's had previously were the same.

[@TheAsrgrant]

Wire coat hanger!

[@LogitechXibanga]

the ECU is on the otherside

[@split_pin]

You can get a plenum guard to stop this happening again

[@tomdrives]

Where from?

[@split_pin]

@@tomdrives The chap that owned my 75 before fitted it. I think it's available through the forum. I will check.

[@split_pin]

the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=155960 This is the thread on the forum for all things plenum related. Plenum guards were available from Jules on the forum who is Julian Anderson in the 75 Facebook Pages.

[@dreamcastboy]

Jules on the 75 forum designed them and made the guard. Hes a trader on there. Reminds me I need to buy some for my new 75

[@LogitechXibanga]

i waited to the end of the video to call you a moroon

[@tomdrives]

bruh