I've acquired a Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE

[Leachim]

Hi all,

I've acquired a very good-looking 2003 Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE, sunroof, automatic box, Monogram colour Mirage 2 (kind of metallic ice blue turning gold in the sun), with 100,000 miles and incomplete history.
She runs well enough, though has a fair bit of wind and road noise.
First bad surprise was when I filled the tank: about four or five litres leaked out from somewhere. Maybe I filled it too fast, and overfilled. But even filling just three-quarters I get a petrol smell and a bit of a leak.
Looking back on the bills I inherited I see it had a fuel pump issue in the past (not the one in the tank, the other one). Any ideas, anybody, please?
Second disappointment was the terrible ride on bad road or speed bumps. Could that be the front anti-roll bar assembly?
I'm also a bit leery of the cheapo Event-brand tyres on the 17-inch Serpents... Seems they're hell in the wet...
Somehow I've got to get it through the French equivalent of the MOT as I'm planning to register it in France, far from its original North British stamping grounds.
But I can't figure out the lever to adjust the Xénons for Euro-driving...
Encourage me, please!

Leachim Sredna

[victorgte]

Forgive my memory but I think there is a switch on the back of the Xenon lights to change to left hand drive alignment. More knowledgeable members will be able to confirm.
Sounds like a nice car. It's the law to post pictures when you have bought one!

[SD1too]

Hello Leachim and to the club.

Originally Posted by Leachim

... when I filled the tank: about four or five litres leaked out from somewhere.

Have you carefully inspected under the car to determine the source of the leak? You may also need to lift the rear seat cushion to check visually the pump and filter seals.

I see it had a fuel pump issue in the past (not the one in the tank, the other one).

The V6 has only one fuel pump; in the tank on the RHS.

Second disappointment was the terrible ride on bad road or speed bumps. Could that be the front anti-roll bar assembly?

You say that you have 17 inch wheels. If they're fitted with low profile tyres the ride can be very hard. Otherwise I'd check that the shock absorbers are functioning and the springs for possible breakage.

Simon

[Freebyrd]

Incomplete history: Timing belts and plenums are important items to check. If belts have not been changed, they need to be at 100,000 miles. Also check plenum drains.

[Leachim]

Thanx all the comments.
Re the petrol leak issue, an old repair bill dealing with a fuel supply issue says ''remove and check in-tank supply pump. OK. Remove and check transfer pump, find pump has become loose. Reassemble and put fuel in tank...''
Looks to me like the leak is around the middle of the car. I shall investigate...
The cambelts and tensioners were replaced at 43,000 miles in 2009 (I wish they'd waited longer, 'cos I'm not about to get that job done again in the forseeable future.).
I gathered from the previous (mechanic) owner that bad ride on rough road is no doubt due to the 17-inch wheels and the low-profile tyres. I'd like to improve the ride if I can, though.
As regards adjusting the Xenons for driving on the right, I've read all I can but still am not sure about locating these levers and how to move them. I'd like to avoid an outright test fail on that issue.
Thing is, Ive definitely got Xénons and there's no manual levelling switch on the dashboard so I should be alright if I can figure it.
Here are some pix of the beast which explain how I was seduced!
Best regards,
Leachim

[Walter]

Wonder if last owner fitted lowering springs

[DEVYL]

Nice car there ! I can confirm the hard ride on speed bumps and bad roads it's because of the tyres. I have 18" with low profile Dunlop Sport tyres and it's a mess ( especially that my city has areas with really bad roads ) . I have brand new shock absorbers and springs all around and these parts are not the problem. I also have some wind noise from the driver's side door so if you can find a fix for it, buzz me

Alex.

PS : I love the tyres when cornering. The car is glued to the road

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Leachim

... an old repair bill dealing with a fuel supply issue says ''remove and check in-tank supply pump. OK. Remove and check transfer pump, find pump has become loose.

What the mechanic refers to as a 'transfer pump' is most likely the filter module. It doesn't have a power supply so it is not a pump in the normal sense of the word. Although it apparently plays a part in ensuring correct fuel levels in both sides of the saddle tank, the pump is on the RHS of the tank and it is this which supplies fuel to the filter and thence the injectors under pressure.

... bad ride on rough road is no doubt due to the 17-inch wheels and the low-profile tyres. I'd like to improve the ride if I can, though.

You can, quite easily. Just buy smaller diameter wheels and fit higher profile tyres to them. I'd recommend following MG Rover's original specification for your model for a comfortable ride.

Simon

[madeupname]

Originally Posted by SD1too

I'd recommend following MG Rover's original specification for your model for a comfortable ride.
Simon

Do you know that when you lift the seat to check the fuel pump there is a label on top with the original damper assemblies, rear springs and rear shocks on it?
You need to do research though to find the correct front springs.

[mac61]

"The cambelts and tensioners were replaced at 43,000 miles in 2009 (I wish they'd waited longer, 'cos I'm not about to get that job done again in the forseeable future.)."

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but, belts need to be changed every 6 years or 90,000 which ever occurs FIRST!