Question about headgaskets ?

johnvill73 · 11th January 2016, 07:54

Hi everyone after selling my rover 75 diesel 3years ago I'm looking at getting another one

.I have seen some bargain petrol ones but I am worried about the head gasket going if it has been done already with the up graded gasket does this mean more than likely it won't go again ?

mh007 · 11th January 2016, 08:36

Hi john

Assuming you are referring to the 1.8/1.8T as these are the most talked about with regards head gasket failures (that doesn't mean to say that the V6 ones don't fail but are less prone to fail).

I own a 1999 Rover 75 1.8 that has now covered over 140,000mls on its original head gasket.
I also own a 2003 Rover 45 1.6 (same 'K' series engine) that has covered 103,000mls again on its original head gasket.

My point being, despite all the bad press as it were, the 'K' series is a great engine when looked after (just like any engine I guess).

With regards to your question:

In theory, if the head gasket job has been done properly then no, it shouldn't have to be done again.
Having said the above, there are other factors that could make even an uprated head gasket fail.

It's really about checking levels regularly & watching the coolant temperature (on a Rover 75 & MG ZT/ZT-T, this is more accurately done using the readout on the IPK rather than the gauge because it can be inaccurate).

pletevl · 11th January 2016, 08:43

I personnaly think it has nothing to do with it being well looked after. I have a ZR and a TF, have had both from new, they are very very very well looked after and they both have had HGF. I caught it very early, signs of oil in the coolant and fixed them both straight away, the ZR has the MLS gasket but the TF has a standard payen gasket because the liners were too low (never overheated, came out of the factory like it).

I think the biggest question mark has to be if the headgasket has been done, how was the engine treated before it was noticed, (no coolant, running until it stopped, overheated head, sunk liners etc).

Pete.

Dubya · 11th January 2016, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh007

It's really about checking levels regularly & watching the coolant temperature (on a Rover 75 & MG ZT/ZT-T, this is more accurately done using the readout on the IPK rather than the gauge because it can be inaccurate).

How do you access the temperature readout on the IPK? Scrolling through mine shows the usual trip/miles remaining/average mpg/average mph/speed limit. I guess it would need a T4 session to unlock this feature?

chipsceola · 11th January 2016, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubya

How do you access the temperature readout on the IPK? Scrolling through mine shows the usual trip/miles remaining/average mpg/average mph/speed limit. I guess it would need a T4 session to unlock this feature?

No T4, all 75/ZT have on board diagnostics can be viewed anytime including read-outs to display while driving, full info here courtesy of T-Cut.

Can also buy an E-Zee aftermarket gauge easily connected to display real time temperature with zero Faffing about.

Dorset Bob · 11th January 2016, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubya

How do you access the temperature readout on the IPK? Scrolling through mine shows the usual trip/miles remaining/average mpg/average mph/speed limit. I guess it would need a T4 session to unlock this feature?

There is an excellent video, by Rich17865, on how to do it here

DMGRS · 11th January 2016, 14:36

Unfortunately, any uprated / improved gaskets are useless unless you know you're fitting the correct one for the engine.

We have written a guide here: Head Gasket Guide - K Series

The problem is a lot of garages just slap the MLS gasket on regardless, as it's touted as being the be-all-and-end-all of fixes to the problem. That's actually not the case at all.

sworks · 11th January 2016, 18:22

Any K series can suffer head gasket failure and using an MLS is no guarantee of not having a repeat failure. Choose the correct gasket, either MLS or elastomer and choose a good quality gasket. Personally I will only use Payen gaskets

11th January 2016, 07:54	#1
johnvill73 Avid contributor Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: birmingham Posts: 168 Thanks: 28 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Question about headgaskets ? Hi everyone after selling my rover 75 diesel 3years ago I'm looking at getting another one .I have seen some bargain petrol ones but I am worried about the head gasket going if it has been done already with the up graded gasket does this mean more than likely it won't go again ?

11th January 2016, 14:36	#7
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,354 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	Unfortunately, any uprated / improved gaskets are useless unless you know you're fitting the correct one for the engine. We have written a guide here: Head Gasket Guide - K Series The problem is a lot of garages just slap the MLS gasket on regardless, as it's touted as being the be-all-and-end-all of fixes to the problem. That's actually not the case at all. __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

11th January 2016, 18:22	#8
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,072 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	Any K series can suffer head gasket failure and using an MLS is no guarantee of not having a repeat failure. Choose the correct gasket, either MLS or elastomer and choose a good quality gasket. Personally I will only use Payen gaskets __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

11th January 2016, 08:36	#2
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	Hi john Assuming you are referring to the 1.8/1.8T as these are the most talked about with regards head gasket failures (that doesn't mean to say that the V6 ones don't fail but are less prone to fail). I own a 1999 Rover 75 1.8 that has now covered over 140,000mls on its original head gasket. I also own a 2003 Rover 45 1.6 (same 'K' series engine) that has covered 103,000mls again on its original head gasket. My point being, despite all the bad press as it were, the 'K' series is a great engine when looked after (just like any engine I guess). With regards to your question: In theory, if the head gasket job has been done properly then no, it shouldn't have to be done again. Having said the above, there are other factors that could make even an uprated head gasket fail. It's really about checking levels regularly & watching the coolant temperature (on a Rover 75 & MG ZT/ZT-T, this is more accurately done using the readout on the IPK rather than the gauge because it can be inaccurate).

11th January 2016, 08:43	#3
pletevl Posted a thing or two rover 75 cdti(rhd), MG ZR(lhd), MG TF(lhd), MG TF(rhd), mini mpi (lhd), Renault megane III (awful) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East of France Posts: 1,282 Thanks: 124 Thanked 114 Times in 93 Posts	I personnaly think it has nothing to do with it being well looked after. I have a ZR and a TF, have had both from new, they are very very very well looked after and they both have had HGF. I caught it very early, signs of oil in the coolant and fixed them both straight away, the ZR has the MLS gasket but the TF has a standard payen gasket because the liners were too low (never overheated, came out of the factory like it). I think the biggest question mark has to be if the headgasket has been done, how was the engine treated before it was noticed, (no coolant, running until it stopped, overheated head, sunk liners etc). Pete.