rover75 1.8 Club

tomgatenby · 19th July 2022, 14:24

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 ?

stevestrat · 19th July 2022, 16:30

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.

suzublu · 19th July 2022, 16:40

Morpeth? Colin (2Diesels) has a shop in Morpeth, Brian of course, Dave Johnson at Fencehouses, Lion Garage Bedlington to name a few

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.

stevestrat · 19th July 2022, 16:42

I was hoping you'd come along Ronnie.

suzublu · 19th July 2022, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I was hoping you'd come along Ronnie.

Nae bother

FLYING BANANA · 19th July 2022, 17:33

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.

drewbie · 25th July 2022, 10:36

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.

tomgatenby · 5th August 2022, 16:27

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 !!!

19th July 2022, 14:24	#1
tomgatenby Newbie rover 75 saloon Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Morpeth Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	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 ?

19th July 2022, 16:30	#2
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 21,103 Thanks: 623 Thanked 4,486 Times in 3,264 Posts	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. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

19th July 2022, 16:40	#3
suzublu MCMLV rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,303 Thanks: 61 Thanked 7,066 Times in 4,594 Posts	Morpeth? Colin (2Diesels) has a shop in Morpeth, Brian of course, Dave Johnson at Fencehouses, Lion Garage Bedlington to name a few 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. Last edited by suzublu; 19th July 2022 at 16:43..

19th July 2022, 16:42	#4
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 21,103 Thanks: 623 Thanked 4,486 Times in 3,264 Posts	I was hoping you'd come along Ronnie. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

19th July 2022, 17:33	#6
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT saloon. No.3 of 4 produced in Sunspot Yellow Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Saltash Cornwall Posts: 20,264 Thanks: 9,078 Thanked 15,311 Times in 6,657 Posts	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. __________________ 221,101. History of the Sunspot ZT’s and 75’s. No.1. MG ZT V6 190 failed it’s MOT in 2011 and is still rotting on the driveway. Owner refuses to sell. Location Hayling Island. No.2 MG ZT. 160. Fate unknown. No.3 MG ZT. 160, is my car. No.4 MG ZT. CDTi. Sold in 2020 for £7,500. 23,500 miles on the clock. Believed to be living in the Lancashire area. 1 MG ZTT. 180 and is alive and well as far as I know. Lives in and around the Portsmouth area. 1 Rover 75. 120 model. Fate unknown.

25th July 2022, 10:36	#7
drewbie Avid contributor Rover 75 Club SE 1.8T 03 plate. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 212 Thanks: 24 Thanked 31 Times in 28 Posts	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.

5th August 2022, 16:27	#8
tomgatenby Newbie rover 75 saloon Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Morpeth Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	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 !!!

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