Coolant loss 1.8t looking for help in penrith area

[cumbriakevin]

I've done the mods as recommended to the cooling system and put in a stainless T piece and new header tank cap. The system had been working fine. I travel in diagnostic mode checking the temp regularly and it has been 93 to 95 and going up a little in traffic. For the last couple of weeks though I have been having to top up lost coolant regularly. The temp now goes up to 99 or 100 for driving and sometimes goes up really quickly to 105, it never gets higher than that. Yesterday I put cardboard under the engine to spot any drips and let it run for an hour. There were a couple of drips at the back of the engine on the drivers side but I couldn't see where it had come from. I could not see any leaks from any of the joints on the cooling system. Am now reluctant to drive the car as it seems something is clearly not right. I'm looking for somewhere to take it to in the penrith/cumbria area to find out whats wrong and get it put right. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful to hear them.

[suzublu]

Water pump, inlet manifold gasket are just 2 of the more common leak points, suggest looking at these first as they're the cheapest:cool:

[stevestrat]

Bluejon (https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/private.php?do=newpm&u=74) might be able to point you towards someone.

[Comfortably Numb]

Thompsons off Mardale Rd (by the truck park) did my 1.8vvc gasket when it blew. I use them for all the jobs I don't like/can't do. Apparently the garage opposite the pub in Langwathby is good, and sympathetic to classics and interesting cars, but I have never used him. Then Wigton Motor Club, or the MG (F/TF) register might be able to recommend someone local. There's a garage I know in Ryton, Tyneside, specialises in Rovers and knows his K engines inside out. But for my CDT, I'll be taking it to MarinaBrian on Tyneside.

[cumbriakevin]

I used marina Brian for my map and his knowledge was epic. :bowdown:Does he do jobs like this as well?

[Comfortably Numb]

I think you would need to ask Brian.

[cumbriakevin]

You’re right, I’ll ask him. Thanks for the heads up with the other places. I use Chambers at Tirril for my past cars. But with the 75being what it is I’d like to somewhere where the mechanic is familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the k series engine.:eek:

[marinabrian]

Hi Kevin, while I would be happy to take a look for you under normal circumstances, I'm currently too snowed under with work to even contemplate taking on any mechanical jobs at the moment :(

As Andrew has pointed out, there are a few options for you to consider, the only person he has mentioned that I've any personal experience of is MGR Auto and MOT services near Ryton.

The owner John is an ardent Rover enthusiast/specialist, and if you can't get sorted locally, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

From your description of where the leak appears to be coming from however, I'd lay money on a leaking water pump ;)

Best of luck getting things sorted out.

Brian :D

[cumbriakevin]

No problem Brian, will replace the water pump and take it from there. Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions. Kevin.

[cumbriakevin]

Forgot to ask:duh:, what price ish should I expect for fitting a new water pump. Ta.

[mbonwick]

Start with the IMG before the water pump...quicker, easier and cheaper to change.
(and probably more likely to be the problem!)

[marinabrian]

Start with the IMG before the water pump...quicker, easier and cheaper to change.
(and probably more likely to be the problem!)

Leaking externally from the drivers side, perhaps on balance of probability the water pump is more likely ;)

Easy enough to check, and quicker than an inlet gasket, take a look under the car at the bottom of the oil pump housing, there is a notch where it meets the crank pulley which will be stained with antifreeze residue.

Or if you don't wish to get your slacks dirty lying on the ground, take the top timing belt cover off and look for the tell tale splash marks around the dimple where the water pump is located.

Brian :D

[mbonwick]

Leaking externally from the drivers side, perhaps on balance of probability the water pump is more likely ;)



On probability you're most likely right Brian, but I know my IMG started leaking externally from the drivers end and internally on the other end.

[cumbriakevin]

Took the car to Thompson’s in Penrith today. They asked if I was sure it wasn’t HGF. I said I didn’t think so. Definitely no mayonnaise. It’s booked in for next Tuesday for pump and belt. Cost will be around £310. Drove it there out of necessity- 8 mile each way. Temp now rising to between 105 and 110:eek: I know it hasn’t done this before as I drive all the time with the diagnostics on temp. The next time it gets used will be to drive it in next Tuesday. Fingers crossed. Will borrow some axle stands in the meantime and take a look at the bottom of the oil pump housing, as suggested, to satisfy myself that it is the water pump.

[LeRich]

Given they will have to drop the coolant to change the pump, I'd get them to check the thermostat housing at the back on the engine doesn't have a thermostat in it and has the restrictor instead.

[suzublu]

Took the car to Thompson’s in Penrith today. They asked if I was sure it wasn’t HGF. I said I didn’t think so. Definitely no mayonnaise. It’s booked in for next Tuesday for pump and belt. Cost will be around £310. Drove it there out of necessity- 8 mile each way. Temp now rising to between 105 and 110:eek: I know it hasn’t done this before as I drive all the time with the diagnostics on temp. The next time it gets used will be to drive it in next Tuesday. Fingers crossed. Will borrow some axle stands in the meantime and take a look at the bottom of the oil pump housing, as suggested, to satisfy myself that it is the water pump.

Your fan should've kicked in at 104:eek: I would do the demist test to make sure all is well:cool:

[cumbriakevin]

suzublu The fans working ok. One of the first jobs I did on getting the car was to get the gold resistor off Jules and fit that. If the pump aint working though the fan has got its work cut out to aid cooling.
le rich, I'm not quite sure what that means. Could you say a bit more or point me in the right direction to look it up further. Thanks.

[suzublu]

suzublu The fans working ok. One of the first jobs I did on getting the car was to get the gold resistor off Jules and fit that. If the pump aint working though the fan has got its work cut out to aid cooling.
le rich, I'm not quite sure what that means. Could you say a bit more or point me in the right direction to look it up further. Thanks.

That's ok then, but if it starts to run a little hot, simply press the demist button, it will force the fan on to aid cooling:cool:
Re the thermostat, later cars had a PRT fitted in pipework under the radiator, with a dummy stat in the normal position behind the block. Sometimes a stat is fitted as well as the PRT by unknowing fitters causing problems:shrug:

[cumbriakevin]

That's ok then, but if it starts to run a little hot, simply press the demist button, it will force the fan on to aid cooling:cool:
Re the thermostat, later cars had a PRT fitted in pipework under the radiator, with a dummy stat in the normal position behind the block. Sometimes a stat is fitted as well as the PRT by unknowing fitters causing problems:shrug:

Thanks for making that clear, I had no idea about a possible dummy so that is something I'll look out for.

[marinabrian]

Took the car to Thompson’s in Penrith today. They asked if I was sure it wasn’t HGF. I said I didn’t think so. Definitely no mayonnaise. It’s booked in for next Tuesday for pump and belt. Cost will be around £310. Drove it there out of necessity- 8 mile each way. Temp now rising to between 105 and 110:eek: I know it hasn’t done this before as I drive all the time with the diagnostics on temp. The next time it gets used will be to drive it in next Tuesday. Fingers crossed. Will borrow some axle stands in the meantime and take a look at the bottom of the oil pump housing, as suggested, to satisfy myself that it is the water pump.

£310 sounds a bit pricey for a pump and belt

For example take this kit of parts, and a competent garage/DIYer shouldn't take more than two hours to fit ;)
LINK (https://www.autodoc.co.uk/gates/7277904?grmk=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItoGJ3-WU2QIVBbftCh2k4A8yEAQYASABEgIhRvD_BwE)

And a gallon of antifreeze

LINK (https://www.autodoc.co.uk/gates/7277904?grmk=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItoGJ3-WU2QIVBbftCh2k4A8yEAQYASABEgIhRvD_BwE)

Now are you sure you don't fancy doing the job yourself?, it's a nice learning curve ;)

Brian :D

[cumbriakevin]

Sheesh, that is pushing me well outside my comfort zone. It's not what I do:eek: Will look through the manual tomorrow though and give it some thought. I have the non oat anti freeze, I bought a load of ebay as advised previously:D

£310 sounds a bit pricey for a pump and belt

For example take this kit of parts, and a competent garage/DIYer shouldn't take more than two hours to fit ;)
LINK (https://www.autodoc.co.uk/gates/7277904?grmk=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItoGJ3-WU2QIVBbftCh2k4A8yEAQYASABEgIhRvD_BwE)

And a gallon of antifreeze

LINK (https://www.autodoc.co.uk/gates/7277904?grmk=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItoGJ3-WU2QIVBbftCh2k4A8yEAQYASABEgIhRvD_BwE)

Now are you sure you don't fancy doing the job yourself?, it's a nice learning curve ;)

Brian :D

[Comfortably Numb]

I reckon Thompsons are hedging their bets that you may have more problems than just the water pump, It might be worth politely asking how their estimate breaks down.

[Ravinder]

That seems very expensive. I probably probably wouldn’t take it there and take it somewhere else or do it yourself.

[slovcan]

Somewhere along the way the fan was confirmed to be working. BUT, I have not seen anywhere that the fanstat (thermal switch that turns the fan on when the coolant temp gets too high) has been checked. If that does not work you will overheat and kill the head gasket and probably the head, too. Until that is confirmed I would run the demist or air conditioning full time to keep the fan ON.

Good luck,
Glenn

[cumbriakevin]

I reckon Thompsons are hedging their bets that you may have more problems than just the water pump, It might be worth politely asking how their estimate breaks down.

He looked it up and the time was between 3.5 and 4.5 hours for the job. I get what people are saying and am thinking about my options ie what tools do I need, getting in touch with a mate to help etc. Am under a bit of pressure as at the moment to get to Penrith just have my pushbike to rely on...

[Comfortably Numb]

Hi Kevin, I am surprised with the wealth of experience Thompsons have, that they needed to look up the time to do it. However, I noticed that they have a vacancy for a mechanic at the moment, so perhaps they have lost one of their more experienced guys. Perhaps worth ringing around to find a garage with plenty of Rover experience. My neighbour tells me that his colleague who teaches BTEC MV mechanics at Carlisle College is an ardent 75/ZT fan, and has several cars, which come into the workshop there from time to time. I'll find out more if I see him tomorrow.

[cumbriakevin]

Well, got the pump replaced, £280 btw,drove for a day and thought it was sorted. Temp good - running in diagnostic mode with temp on. Then I see water under car and coolant down. Go back to Thompsons to see if it is from new waterpump. No though, its from the HG at the back. There is no doubt as the mayonaisse is obvious to see. :(
I now want to get a price for that, but now am only really wanting to do it with someone who knows a lot about these cars. My concern is - apart from spending a lot more money - is driving it any distance in this condition. Anyhow, have just got back so will reflect on what to do and see if anyone knows somewhere closer to home to get it sorted. Engine still sounds lovely so would like to keep the car and hope that new HG by knowledgeable person will give me more time with the Rover.

[cumbriakevin]

The Rover will be put up for sale in the cars for sale section now. £200. Thanks for people's help on here over the months as I've done various bits on it. It has been appreciated.