rover75 1.8 Club
 

My 2003 75 has suffered a second head gasket failure. My garage say that a second replacement is not recommended as the head was skimmed last time.
The problem rose on a short local trip when the temperature rocketed up. We stopped and called the AA who checked and said that there was oil in cooling system. I was able to drive the short distance to the garage - she ran quite smoothly although the temp was still sky high.
I am now having to decide on disposal. So if any member might be interested
in taking her on I would be pleased to sell for at least the scrappage value.
The car is green with moderate mileage. Any opinions ?

First thing is to find someone local who knows the cars inside out. Saying a second replacement isn't recommended is utter rubbish, Flying Banana's 1.8T has done over 220k miles, has had several head gaskets in its life and is still going strong.

I'm not knowledgeable about experts in the north east these days, hopefully someone who is will be able to advise you.

Morpeth? Colin (2Diesels) has a shop in Morpeth, Brian of course, Dave Johnson at Fencehouses, Lion Garage Bedlington to name a few:cool:
And of course the correct gasket needs fitting. Copied from DMGRS
The MLS (Multi Layer Steel) gasket was developed by Land Rover as a fix for the Freelander 1.8 K Series application, but fits all capacities and models due to the shared engine platform of the K Series between Land Rover and MG Rover. It's a great gasket, and on paper a lot more resilient to overheating-caused failure as it has no temperature-sensitive elastomer beading.

The problem with the MLS design is that it requires 'perfect' liner heights, as per new engine specification. A lot of K Series engines suffer with slightly dropped liners, a problem caused in part by overheating (or in some cases, poor tolerances when the engine was built). To use the MLS successfully, the liners must all be 3 thou or above proud of the deck face, AND all even. If one is even slightly out, the MLS may not seal.

The Elastomer design (Payen BW750 etc) is a lot more flexible when it comes to low liners, or uneven liners - and can quite happily work even when liners are flush with the block, or 1-2 thou out from each other.

To summarise - if you have 3 thou or above of liner above the deck face AND they're all even, you can use the MLS design of gasket. If not, use the Elastomer gasket.

I was hoping you'd come along Ronnie.

Nae bother:bowdown::D

Banana has had 5 head gaskets replaced, 4 with me. Only 3 were HGF’s, the other one was replaced as precautionary.
Still on her original clutch and turbo.

Mileage is 220,400 miles.

At the risk of tempting fate, I can recommend the MLS gasket even with flush liners like mine. I changed it in 2008, as a precaution, and its still going strong. I never bothered with the uprated oil rail.

Many thanks for your useful comments.
I transferred the car to the Lion Garage and they have just told me that the head gasket is undamaged and all running smoothly. Checking the thermostat and pump. Panic over !!!:duh: