Rover 75 2.5 V6 - Possible Scrap

bearhouse · 9th May 2015, 06:26

Hello Chaps,

I wonder if you can kindly help.

On the way back from Cornwall last weekend, I got a message on the message centre saying “Low Oil Level”.

I moved over to the hard shoulder and stopped. I called the AA, who towed me off the motorway. Once investigated, the patrolman said I’d had a major oil leak, possibly from the oil cooler or maybe the oil filter but he couldn't see until the tray was removed. There was no oil showing on the dipstick.

I was relayed to my local garage. The mechanic has replaced the pipe to the oil cooler which he said had completely broken at the union. Topped up with oil and attempted to start, but seized. I’m very sad as I’ve had the car from new and although it’s done 115K miles, its spotless and in very good condition. Plus, it’s just had the cambelts done!

The mechanic says it’s not worth looking for another engine as the cost plus fitting will far exceed the value of the car. I’m not so sure as the car is worth more to me!

The option no is to pay to have it recovered to a scrap yard and let it go unless anyone’s got any suggestions… I’m in Hemel Hempstead it anyone can suggest any options…

Many thanks as always...

minty2 · 9th May 2015, 06:47

That is very unfortunate and not the sort of thing you could pick up in advance by the usual checks. I have no suggestions for you other than sourcing a replacement engine which I'm pretty sure is a definite possibility given the support network on here. If the car is otherwise in good condition, explore that option before discarding.

GeoffK · 9th May 2015, 07:02

Oh Dear, I'm sorry to hear that. If it were mine I would replace the engine, they are easy enough to get and cheap.

Most cars aren't worth spending that sort of money on, mine is a good example, but some cars are worth more than money to some people, it's a very personal thing.

Geoff

RodgerD · 9th May 2015, 07:09

I'd fit a replacement engine if the car is otherwise sound. The residual value only comes into play if you are intending to sell a car, otherwise it's just maintenance costs like fitting a new air filter. Spread the cost over a number of years, if you intend to keep the car and then it makes sense.

Why not consider doing the transplant yourself, possibly with help from other members in your area. Plenty of technical help available here.

Consider all possibilities before sending your car to the scrap yard.

Salad-Dodger · 9th May 2015, 07:43

When you think about it, you could probably find an engine for less than a set of tyres. So well worth doing in my book.
As far as scrapping goes. If you do decide to go that route just phone the scrappers and they will often collect it for nothing. You may even be able to sell it to them.
Put an engine in it, after all, you like it and you will only buy another one!
Good luck with it. Steve

tony2 · 9th May 2015, 07:51

If you scrap the car you have to replace it with either a new one (expensive) or a used one with a to you unknown history and could end up being troublesome.
You've had the 75 from new, you obviously like the car or you wouldn't be considering the options, so my advise would be to replace the engine and continue to enjoy your 75.
It could be the cheapest option in the long run.
I wish you luck whatever you decide

ProfDave · 9th May 2015, 08:14

There is probably a member on here who is also a trader/repairer not so far away from you who could help. Its your car from new and you know everything about it and so I would really look at getting a replacement engine fitted. As others have said for the price of a set of new premium rubber you get it back on the road; or the price of one or two monthly payments on a Korean box.

chipsceola · 9th May 2015, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearhouse

Hello Chaps,

I wonder if you can kindly help.

On the way back from Cornwall last weekend, I got a message on the message centre saying “Low Oil Level”.

I moved over to the hard shoulder and stopped. I called the AA, who towed me off the motorway. Once investigated, the patrolman said I’d had a major oil leak, possibly from the oil cooler or maybe the oil filter but he couldn't see until the tray was removed. There was no oil showing on the dipstick.

I was relayed to my local garage. The mechanic has replaced the pipe to the oil cooler which he said had completely broken at the union. Topped up with oil and attempted to start, but seized. I’m very sad as I’ve had the car from new and although it’s done 115K miles, its spotless and in very good condition. Plus, it’s just had the cambelts done!

The mechanic says it’s not worth looking for another engine as the cost plus fitting will far exceed the value of the car. I’m not so sure as the car is worth more to me!

The option no is to pay to have it recovered to a scrap yard and let it go unless anyone’s got any suggestions… I’m in Hemel Hempstead it anyone can suggest any options…

Many thanks as always...

To the average garage or mechanic to be fair, it's just another 14 year old car with little if any value, to an enthusiast, long time owner, or MG/Rover specialist it's a car worth saving. The fitting cost using an MGR expert is also likely to be considerably lower than a general 'dealer' due to vast difference in experience and saving in time/labour costs.

Greeners · 9th May 2015, 08:20

I'm assuming the engine is seized and not simply a flat battery !!!

As others have said...get another engine fitted, better the devil you know

SirRustalot · 9th May 2015, 08:26

Most definitely the following;

Depending on available time and skills, I'd remove the engine and strip it. When people say 'seized' it has such a wide variance of meanings. I'll bet it can be saved. Once all the gubbins are removed, there's not that much to it. In fact you'd be surprised how little metal there is underneath all the plastic.

During my early motorcycling days abusing two-strokes, and also my model flying days which also used predominantly two-strokes, they would regularly seize and, more often than not, it was just a piston change and a barrel hone. It was par for the course. Many times they would just cool down and then run again quite well. Granted, your case is slightly more complicated but I'd save the original engine.

If you were nearby I'd do it all for you as I'm going to be off for two months twiddling my thumbs.

9th May 2015, 06:26	#1
bearhouse Regular poster Rover 75 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Herts Posts: 78 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Rover 75 2.5 V6 - Possible Scrap Hello Chaps, I wonder if you can kindly help. On the way back from Cornwall last weekend, I got a message on the message centre saying “Low Oil Level”. I moved over to the hard shoulder and stopped. I called the AA, who towed me off the motorway. Once investigated, the patrolman said I’d had a major oil leak, possibly from the oil cooler or maybe the oil filter but he couldn't see until the tray was removed. There was no oil showing on the dipstick. I was relayed to my local garage. The mechanic has replaced the pipe to the oil cooler which he said had completely broken at the union. Topped up with oil and attempted to start, but seized. I’m very sad as I’ve had the car from new and although it’s done 115K miles, its spotless and in very good condition. Plus, it’s just had the cambelts done! The mechanic says it’s not worth looking for another engine as the cost plus fitting will far exceed the value of the car. I’m not so sure as the car is worth more to me! The option no is to pay to have it recovered to a scrap yard and let it go unless anyone’s got any suggestions… I’m in Hemel Hempstead it anyone can suggest any options… Many thanks as always...

9th May 2015, 07:51	#6
tony2 Loves to post MG ZT 190 + X Power Grey Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Taunton Posts: 277 Thanks: 44 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	If you scrap the car you have to replace it with either a new one (expensive) or a used one with a to you unknown history and could end up being troublesome. You've had the 75 from new, you obviously like the car or you wouldn't be considering the options, so my advise would be to replace the engine and continue to enjoy your 75. It could be the cheapest option in the long run. I wish you luck whatever you decide __________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."

9th May 2015, 08:20	#9
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	I'm assuming the engine is seized and not simply a flat battery !!! As others have said...get another engine fitted, better the devil you know __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

9th May 2015, 08:26	#10
SirRustalot Gets stuck in Box of ales and some cheap sunglasses Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 670 Thanks: 323 Thanked 174 Times in 92 Posts	Most definitely the following; Depending on available time and skills, I'd remove the engine and strip it. When people say 'seized' it has such a wide variance of meanings. I'll bet it can be saved. Once all the gubbins are removed, there's not that much to it. In fact you'd be surprised how little metal there is underneath all the plastic. During my early motorcycling days abusing two-strokes, and also my model flying days which also used predominantly two-strokes, they would regularly seize and, more often than not, it was just a piston change and a barrel hone. It was par for the course. Many times they would just cool down and then run again quite well. Granted, your case is slightly more complicated but I'd save the original engine. If you were nearby I'd do it all for you as I'm going to be off for two months twiddling my thumbs. __________________ Chocolate digestives - now there's a biscuit you can trust.

9th May 2015, 06:47	#2
minty2 Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Leeds Posts: 494 Thanks: 68 Thanked 76 Times in 43 Posts	That is very unfortunate and not the sort of thing you could pick up in advance by the usual checks. I have no suggestions for you other than sourcing a replacement engine which I'm pretty sure is a definite possibility given the support network on here. If the car is otherwise in good condition, explore that option before discarding.

9th May 2015, 07:02	#3
GeoffK Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Bexhill on Sea Posts: 48 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Oh Dear, I'm sorry to hear that. If it were mine I would replace the engine, they are easy enough to get and cheap. Most cars aren't worth spending that sort of money on, mine is a good example, but some cars are worth more than money to some people, it's a very personal thing. Geoff

9th May 2015, 07:09	#4
RodgerD Rodger & Out Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: London Posts: 712 Thanks: 10 Thanked 159 Times in 141 Posts	I'd fit a replacement engine if the car is otherwise sound. The residual value only comes into play if you are intending to sell a car, otherwise it's just maintenance costs like fitting a new air filter. Spread the cost over a number of years, if you intend to keep the car and then it makes sense. Why not consider doing the transplant yourself, possibly with help from other members in your area. Plenty of technical help available here. Consider all possibilities before sending your car to the scrap yard.

9th May 2015, 07:43	#5
Salad-Dodger Gets stuck in MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Chatham Posts: 592 Thanks: 34 Thanked 66 Times in 62 Posts	When you think about it, you could probably find an engine for less than a set of tyres. So well worth doing in my book. As far as scrapping goes. If you do decide to go that route just phone the scrappers and they will often collect it for nothing. You may even be able to sell it to them. Put an engine in it, after all, you like it and you will only buy another one! Good luck with it. Steve

9th May 2015, 08:14	#7
ProfDave This is my second home ZTT, Contemp Saloon, Duotone Tourer Join Date: May 2012 Location: Llandeilo Posts: 4,192 Thanks: 290 Thanked 387 Times in 333 Posts	There is probably a member on here who is also a trader/repairer not so far away from you who could help. Its your car from new and you know everything about it and so I would really look at getting a replacement engine fitted. As others have said for the price of a set of new premium rubber you get it back on the road; or the price of one or two monthly payments on a Korean box.