A lot of symptoms but what is the problem?
 

Okay, bear with me a lot to to say:

The car is a 2003 Rover 75 1.8, 50,000 miles.

Basically the car had a flashing and intermittent Engine Check Light coming on usually just after start up, but then would disappear for the rest of the day.

The cooling far started then running over after I had stopped the engine for a good minute on the fastest setting. I noted the car was losing significant amounts of coolant and it couldn't be seen in the header tank. The car flashed to an overheat once but then returned back to normal immediately.

Also, the heater could only blow hot air on the driver's side when the car accelerated. The passenger's side blew permanently cold air.

I suspecting an airlock so emptied the cooling system and refilled.

Since this: The car's heating works perfectly, however the engine light has gone from an intermittent flash to permanently on. The fan no longer runs on after the engine has stopped either.

I think the car may have a leak as I have spotted a small amount of liquid under it twice, though it's hard to be certain with the rain.

Also, upon emptying the coolant i suspect there may be evidence of oil in the coolant, as well as being pink it had a brown tinge to it and there was the floating film on top like you get in puddles.

If anyone knows what's causing this or anything that I can easily check myself please help.

I hope it's not a dreaded HGF, but I know some of the symptoms are consistent. having read I thought it may be the Inlet Gasket Manifold, would this be consistent with these problems.

Many thanks,

This engine needs to be checked regularly and often, when cold.

You are right. You are losing water. That can happen inside the engine or outside.

The outside leaks are usually found in the following spots:
Water pump, look for stains near the pulley
Inlet manifold
T-piece in front
Radiator cap
Any other outside leak.

Inside look for mayonnaise under the oil filler cap, with a hot engine. If you have, then you are loosing water inside. From the bottom seals, the liner seals or the head gasket.

The first sign of low coolant level, apart from the expansion box, is usually a lack of heat from heater.

If you care, search under my name, I have been through them all.

The engine light can be many things, a faulty (worn) spark plug, a faulty Lambda sender, ignition fault, water in a cylinder. I would start by looking at the plugs, they are good for up to about 60000 miles, but not much more!

I can see this is your first post, so welcome! And since you don't know, then let me give you one warning, again. Check the water level every morning before you use the car. The temperature gauge will not show you anything other than MED between 75 and 115 degrees, it might as well have been painted on. So do the physical checks, that is my advice! Lovely car, but keep it under sharp supervision!!

Many thanks for your reply,

I'll have a thorough look in the engine bay and try to spot a leak.

I have looked under the oil cap, to me it just looks like oil, a bit lighter than normal, but certainly not of the consistency of mayonnaise.

thanks for the heads up, I know the cars need a lot of TLC.

My concern is the engine light and the juddering that occurs.

Ignition, almost without a doubt,

I'd change the inlet manifold gasket for a start. Internal coolant leaks can cause the problems you are having when starting from cold. :D

Mike

the other guys are bang on .it sounds to me like the inlet manifold gasket has gone letting water in to the chamber so it is misfiring till the water has bunrt off so light would come on cos no more misfiring .of course you could have a coil or ht lead that is failing .with a stone cold engine wipe out the lpugs to see if they are wet.if so tjhen inlet manifold gasket needs replacing .if dry then a coil pack is on its way out

I have checked the engine when cold.

There is definitely a leak. It is coming from the back of the engine. It is low down on the engine but I can't source where from. The leak is significant. I'm losing a pint of water/day.

Does this make the issue anymore easier to diagnose?

A pint of coolant a day leakage is extreme for a 1.8, difference between min/max is certainly far less than that, question are you overfilling the header tank?
Take a look at this thread and see image provided by T-Cut for correct coolant level.
Chips

Hi thanks for your reply...

When I come to the car in the morning there is never any water left in the header tank. Literally dry.

I don't think that would occur from overfilling would it? plus there is water on my driveway under the car.

Back of the engine low down could be from the thermostat pipes.