Why a steel bonnet

Anything about BXs
Post Reply
User avatar
Thread Bear
1K Away
Posts: 1651
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:47 am
Location: Longcot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire
x 1

Why a steel bonnet

Post by Thread Bear »

Why does a TZD 1.9 have a steel bonnet and most of the rest have plastic? Is it to have more mass to attempt to quieten the engine noise down? Seems rather illogical otherwise.
Miguel - 16 TRS Auto S, light blue, 43k miles - £450
Pluto - 14 E S, White, 105k Miles - in work
Egbert - 19 16v Gti, White, A/C & Leather, - Keeper
Walt - 17 TZD Turbo S, graphite, 70k miles, good op extras - Keeper
Scraper- 17 TZD Turbo E, blue, 208k miles - parts
Homer - 19 TXD E, Red, 189k miles - £250
Gary - 17 TZD Turbo E, 118k miles - in work

'87 Trooper, Borgwards, Saabs, MG ZB, Bellamy Trials, Fiat Jolly & Bianchina, Goggo Dart, Messerschmitt, Heinkel, Bubblecars
User avatar
Stinkwheel
1K Away
Posts: 1516
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:38 pm
Location: In front of this flamin' PC

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Stinkwheel »

Our new (to us) K plate 16TXi has a steel bonnet also, ive never been quite sure which ones did and didnt have plastic or steel, or why even?
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism!!!
93 BX TZD Estate
90 BX 14TE St Tropez
93 BX 19 TXD Estate
92 BX 16TXi
77 Ami 8 Break
79 Acadiane
81 Dyane6
84 2CV6
85 GSA saloon rally car
To slightly mis-quote Kitch ... "BX 14. They're just brilliant!"
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by mat_fenwick »

Why does a TZD 1.9 have a steel bonnet and most of the rest have plastic?
It's not as clear-cut as that; it seems to be that very early and late cars sometimes had steel bonnets, although at this age who knows what's been swapped around over the years? Plus it's possible that it was cheaper for aftermarket panel suppliers to make pattern steel bonnets rather than tool up to mould them from plastic, so a steel bonnet may signify it's been replaced at some point.

It's been suggested that diesels are more likely to have the steel bonnet to help noise reduction, but not sure whether that's a fact or just a coincidence.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15565
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 141

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Tim Leech »

Mk1 Diesels had Steel Bonnets and the very last ones aswell, the steel bonnet does seem to insulate the diesel clatter better!
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Defender110 »

We've come to the conclusion in the past that there is not set pattern for this; I've had at least 6 varying diesel BX's with most variants from nearly new to now and none of them have had a metal bonnet, the only metal bonnet I have personally ever seen was on Matthews (Mulley) TXD, I recall being shocked how heavy it was to lift.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
User avatar
Stinkwheel
1K Away
Posts: 1516
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:38 pm
Location: In front of this flamin' PC

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Stinkwheel »

So can anyone explain the TXi's petrol model steel bonnet?

Doesnt look pattern and the car looks original at the front end. (i.e. no evidence of accident damage)
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism!!!
93 BX TZD Estate
90 BX 14TE St Tropez
93 BX 19 TXD Estate
92 BX 16TXi
77 Ami 8 Break
79 Acadiane
81 Dyane6
84 2CV6
85 GSA saloon rally car
To slightly mis-quote Kitch ... "BX 14. They're just brilliant!"
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by mat_fenwick »

More discussion here...with the only logical conclusion reached by Doc.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
User avatar
Stinkwheel
1K Away
Posts: 1516
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:38 pm
Location: In front of this flamin' PC

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Stinkwheel »

mat_fenwick wrote:More discussion here...with the only logical conclusion reached by Doc.

Excellent thanks Mat.

I have to agree with Doc's summing up!!!
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism!!!
93 BX TZD Estate
90 BX 14TE St Tropez
93 BX 19 TXD Estate
92 BX 16TXi
77 Ami 8 Break
79 Acadiane
81 Dyane6
84 2CV6
85 GSA saloon rally car
To slightly mis-quote Kitch ... "BX 14. They're just brilliant!"
User avatar
BX Bandit
Backslash Bandit
Posts: 2588
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:46 am
Location: Home
My Cars: Cars
x 3

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by BX Bandit »

Doc eh? Bloody genius. Never seen a metal short nose though
1990 BX 16V Platinum Grey
1990 BX TGD White
1960 Morris Minor Clarondon Grey
1971 Triumph 2000 Auto Valencia Blue
Tinkley
1K Away
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:27 am
Location: N Hants England
x 8

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Tinkley »

Of my 2 Athenas, one has a short nose GRP and the other steel. Ones Jan 91 the other Mar 91. My own personal guess is to do with an extra EU regulation on RF etc from the HT leads and alternator 'noise'. Usually if you can create a Faraday cage around the offending item it will then be 'quiet' when testing for interference.

The radiator trim flap is different and the grille also to suit either shape bonnet. To me the steel one is definitely heavier to lift from the front but when you take the whole thing off its not so much heavier. In fact the steel one is still loose as I haven't reattached it as the hinges are bent, but having had both off recently I was surprised it wasn't heavier.

You could always try an aluminium variant to see if it would pass the current crash tests!
ghaddon1701
BXpert
Posts: 199
Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:30 pm

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by ghaddon1701 »

My K reg GTi has a steel bonnet. With the sound deadening attached to the underside. My old 14 had a plastic bonnet with no sound deadening just a strange metal mesh.
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by citsncycles »

My 14 had the same thing - I guess it's to do with the RF interference, as it had an earth strap on it.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Defender110 »

Can't believe I just read that previous thread again for the definitive answer again :oops:
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
Mothman

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Mothman »

Tim Leech wrote:Mk1 Diesels had Steel Bonnets and the very last ones aswell, the steel bonnet does seem to insulate the diesel clatter better!
Gloria, a MK 1 diesel, has a plastic bonnet.

Andy
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15565
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 141

Re: Why a steel bonnet

Post by Tim Leech »

Mothman wrote:
Tim Leech wrote:Mk1 Diesels had Steel Bonnets and the very last ones aswell, the steel bonnet does seem to insulate the diesel clatter better!
Gloria, a MK 1 diesel, has a plastic bonnet.

Andy
It's an auto so has a short nosed one hence why its plastic.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
Post Reply