Love my Rover 75 but...........

Lisa · 23rd March 2010, 15:32

...the head gasket has blown again for the 3rd time since I've had it (4 and half years) and the damage this time is so severe I either have to scrap it..or buy a recon engine. Fact is, as this is a common fault on the 1.8 k series honda engines it is just as likely to happen again after i've paid out..well at least £800.. It's nearly 10 years old, It's heartbreaking because I love my beautiful car. Last time we had new head gasket was only 8 months ago..think it's time to give up. I would love another Rover but wouldn't buy a 1800 again...any comments appreciated

chrislloydie · 23rd March 2010, 15:34

Was it fitted with the uprated Head Gasket Kit that is recommended for the 1800?

Departed 32016 · 23rd March 2010, 15:35

it's not a honda engine.

The head gasket goes for a reason- replacing it will only put ofF the inevitable. You need to find out why it keeps going. Normally due to a coolant / pressure leak.

If you've paid a garage to do it everytime or had it replaced under warranty they may have just replaced the head gasket but not found out why.

If it was 8 months ago- surely it will be under warranty.

The key is to check the coolant level at least once a week

James.uk · 23rd March 2010, 15:40

It doesn't sound as though the repair has ever been done properly, and £800 is a very high price for the job anyway.

Personally I think you should get it repaired by one of the Club shops in your area, and then decide.. Either keep it. Or sell and get the Diesel version..

Before you make your mind up A phone chat with Lates would be a good idea..

...

Cymrudragon · 23rd March 2010, 15:49

Sure i read a post singing the praise of the 1.8 this is the 3rd time i have seen a post with the hg was repaired 3 times on a 1.8

are they that reliable. get shot and get a derv or a kv6 they have issues but not as bad as a 1.8 i feel

N1&EPR · 23rd March 2010, 15:54

If the repair was done right, you wouldn't be havng this problem. I'd be getting further advice on the engine being scrap as well.

Sack your garage and get it done right.

I have a friend with the 1.8 in a kit car, and with the proper gasket on, it's never went wrong despite getting ragged to death on trackdays.

carlpenn · 23rd March 2010, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by James.uk

It doesn't sound as though the repair has ever been done properly, and £800 is a very high price for the job anyway.

Personally I think you should get it repaired by one of the Club shops in your area, and then decide.. Either keep it. Or sell and get the Diesel version..

Before you make your mind up A phone chat with Lates would be a good idea..

...

I agree - My Mechanic didnt quote that for our V6 H/Gaskets - when the car overheated and we thought they might have been damaged. My 214i only cost £450 to replace H/Gaskets.

brownie21 · 23rd March 2010, 16:07

It could be the reason it keeps failing is because the head has been overskimmed, therefore the lack of compression will inevitably lead to another gasket failure. A new or recon cylinder head should cure the problem once and for all (together with the MLS kit of course) Any reputable mechanic who knows the K series engine should be telling you this.

N1&EPR · 23rd March 2010, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie21

It could be the reason it keeps failing is because the head has been overskimmed, therefore the lack of compression will inevitably lead to another gasket failure. A new or recon cylinder head should cure the problem once and for all (together with the MLS kit of course)

Overskimm will increase compresion, not lower it...

Lisa · 23rd March 2010, 16:28

It's a tricky one because the mechanic only charged us about £250 for a new head gasket last time. And also I'm sure i'm partly to blame because i didn't check the water weekly...but on how many cars should you need to check it weekly?! The £800 charge is £510 for a recon engine, and the rest for labour to change the engine etc. Think it's quite badly damaged because it had black smoke pouring out of engine and exhaust.

23rd March 2010, 15:32	#1
Lisa Regular poster Rover 75 CDT - White Gold Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: London Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Love my Rover 75 but........... ...the head gasket has blown again for the 3rd time since I've had it (4 and half years) and the damage this time is so severe I either have to scrap it..or buy a recon engine. Fact is, as this is a common fault on the 1.8 k series honda engines it is just as likely to happen again after i've paid out..well at least £800.. It's nearly 10 years old, It's heartbreaking because I love my beautiful car. Last time we had new head gasket was only 8 months ago..think it's time to give up. I would love another Rover but wouldn't buy a 1800 again...any comments appreciated

23rd March 2010, 15:34	#2
chrislloydie Posted a thing or two MG ZT 135 CDTI+ Auto Royal Blue with Synergy 2. 75 Tourer cdti club Se Auto, Royal Blue, synergy 2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bancroft, Milton Keynes Posts: 1,906 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Was it fitted with the uprated Head Gasket Kit that is recommended for the 1800? __________________ Chris

23rd March 2010, 16:07	#8
brownie21 Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 521 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It could be the reason it keeps failing is because the head has been overskimmed, therefore the lack of compression will inevitably lead to another gasket failure. A new or recon cylinder head should cure the problem once and for all (together with the MLS kit of course) Any reputable mechanic who knows the K series engine should be telling you this. __________________ Wayne [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] We all have mental problems, it's just that some of us choose to show them. Last edited by brownie21; 23rd March 2010 at 16:10..

23rd March 2010, 15:35	#3
Departed 32016 This is my second home Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,190 Thanks: 101 Thanked 257 Times in 145 Posts	it's not a honda engine. The head gasket goes for a reason- replacing it will only put ofF the inevitable. You need to find out why it keeps going. Normally due to a coolant / pressure leak. If you've paid a garage to do it everytime or had it replaced under warranty they may have just replaced the head gasket but not found out why. If it was 8 months ago- surely it will be under warranty. The key is to check the coolant level at least once a week

23rd March 2010, 15:40	#4
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	It doesn't sound as though the repair has ever been done properly, and £800 is a very high price for the job anyway. Personally I think you should get it repaired by one of the Club shops in your area, and then decide.. Either keep it. Or sell and get the Diesel version.. Before you make your mind up A phone chat with Lates would be a good idea.. ...

23rd March 2010, 15:49	#5
Cymrudragon I really should get out more....... MGZTT2.5 V6 190+ SE 2002 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gilfach-goch Posts: 2,201 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Sure i read a post singing the praise of the 1.8 this is the 3rd time i have seen a post with the hg was repaired 3 times on a 1.8 are they that reliable. get shot and get a derv or a kv6 they have issues but not as bad as a 1.8 i feel

23rd March 2010, 15:54	#6
N1&EPR Avid contributor MG ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Glasgow Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If the repair was done right, you wouldn't be havng this problem. I'd be getting further advice on the engine being scrap as well. Sack your garage and get it done right. I have a friend with the 1.8 in a kit car, and with the proper gasket on, it's never went wrong despite getting ragged to death on trackdays.

23rd March 2010, 16:28	#10
Lisa Regular poster Rover 75 CDT - White Gold Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: London Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's a tricky one because the mechanic only charged us about £250 for a new head gasket last time. And also I'm sure i'm partly to blame because i didn't check the water weekly...but on how many cars should you need to check it weekly?! The £800 charge is £510 for a recon engine, and the rest for labour to change the engine etc. Think it's quite badly damaged because it had black smoke pouring out of engine and exhaust.