I am looking for some advice as to why my car is running rough after the head gasket has been changed.
History of events..
Bought the car at 65,000miles with the headgasket having been replaced at 59,000 at a main dealer. The car ran fine for 12 months and up to 92,000 when the car overheated on the A1 on a long run.
The car was recovered to a local garage that specialise in Rover as I was told the radiator had burst and caused the engine to overheat (although the temperature never went above normal, the car just cut out!) and the headgasket had again failed. The work involved having the head skimmed and welded and have got a full list of works and a bill for £650.
On picking the car up there seemed to be a mis-fire when accelerating, although the car sounded fine when idling. The mis-fire cleared off as soon as the engine got to normal operating temperature.
I took the car back and they hooked it up to the computer and pressure tested it and couldnt find anything wrong with it. They said to keep an eye on it that it didnt get any worse, but it should clear off after about 500 miles. I have now done around 1400 miles since it was replaced and it isnt getting any better.
The garage said it wasnt mis-firing, but to me it sounds like it is and the car shakes at 2000 revs in 5th gear when accelerating...
Once warm the car runs better than it ever has done with a significant increase in power.
Has anyone had the same problems or have any ideas..
P.S the timing belt was changed at the same time if that helps.
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Almost sounds like an ignition misfire to me.
Have the workshop experienced the fault first-hand?
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They did keep it overnight and drove it from cold the next morning and said there was a slight flat spot but said it wasnt mis-firing..
There is definately something not right as it is really down on power for the first 5-6 miles and then suddenly everything is ok. I do the same journey to work every morning and at exactly the same junction every morning it clears itself regardless of how I drive it.
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Hmmmmm sticking exhaust valves.....?
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one other thing I forgot to mention is I have to drive down a small hill as I first drive off. I usually go down in 2nd at about 2500 revs and when I back off at the bottom and stop at the junction there is a popping sound coming from the exhaust, like a backfire. Its the only time it does it and again only when its cold...
Any easy cure for sticking exhaust valves or will they right themselves eventually..?
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You didnt state what engine you have.though it may be a prob with vacuum pipe.or breather one pipe to check is the pipe from cam cover to inlet manifold.IIRC its the right hand pipe very short.they have a habit of cracking internally.when warmed up all is well but is short lived.? just a thought.
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Was mech1
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Yes, I would perhaps check the vacuum hoses etc but that wouldn't explain the intermittant nature of it.
Backfiring on the over-run? Camshaft timing perhaps? Very easy for it to slip out of synch if the correct tooling isn't used.
I take it the exhaust system is in good condition?
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
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I will get the timing checked out and check the vacuum hoses, seem to recall these causing me a problem on my Metro some time ago, although very different symptons. Anything is worth a try as I'm getting a bit fed up with it now. Was hoping to keep it another 3 years but will have 180,000 on by then and its not filling me with much confidence
The whole exhaust system is only 6 months old..
Engine is 1.4 16v 103bhp and car is 97 P reg
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Timing and injector timing are not adjustable.so if a prob with either will mean a new/recon ecu.faulty injectors may cause it as well.but would look at crankcase breathers/vacuum pipes first.apart from what DL said which is a poss.?
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Was mech1
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We had this trouble on a Vauxhall Carlton also after Head Gasket Failure. It turned out to be the Heat Sensor! Don't know if Rovers have them.
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You could do a lot worse than try a bottle of fuel system cleaner. I would recommend Forte (the fuel system cleaner and Gas treatment are both very good. Although Forte are only available to trade, you may be able to find a garage that will sell you them, lots do!) If not, just try Wynnes etc.
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Although Forte are only available to trade, you may be able to find a garage that will sell you them....
Vauxhall dealers and ATS to name a couple.
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Thanks for your replys.. It seems to have just cured itself all of a sudden, probably something to do with taking it round to 6000 revs a few times and clearing it out.
However the story continues..
I followed my girlfriend in the car first thing this morning and when she pulled away there was a significant amount of blue smoke coming from the exhaust for the first few hundred metres and then seemed to clear off. I have had to put about 1 litre of oil in since the headgasket was replaced, which has been just over 2000 miles. Do I have reason to be concerned or is this normal after this kind of engine work??
Thanks
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It will be either valve seals or guides.though I`m not certain what has been done.as you havent said.on the rover head should be skimmed assuming it hasnt been done before.if so would advise new head.I expect others to say otherwise.it isnt worth the risk.rovers engines are fussy due to design.
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Was mech1
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Definitely strikes me as a head problem.
I had this happen to me on the Honda H23 engine at only 75,000 (I was unlucky) so it can happen to anyone. You mentioned having the head welded, probably to repair a crack. My guess is you are burning oil as steve.o points out through a valve seal or guide. It would explain the oil consumption.
The car will be quite rough but as soon as compression is up on the move, it will appear to have cured itself, so at revs all will seem fine.
Classic cracked cylinder head symptoms in my opinion.
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How much worse will it get before its time to spend lots of money??
With the mileage on the rest of the engine, would it be worth running this into the ground and then getting a recon unit put in or maybez best to get rid sooner rather than later!!
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Don`t you have a warranty on the work that was done.if job was done correctly it should last a while.though from what you said job hasnt been.would suggest sell it off or take it back and tell them whats going on and ask them to correct.though I suspect its too late.try anyway nothing to lose.I will say job was rather cheap.? and it takes a good welder to correct a crack in head.
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Was mech1
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The work was carried out on 11/6 at 91220 miles.. The cost was £611 exactly which included (according the the invoice):
-Removed head, gasket blown on no1 cylinder (badly washed)
- head badly scored and weilded (sublet) - £
- head skimmed and crack tested (sublet)
- replaced radiator
- replaced cambelt
- flushed and replaced oil and filter.
They also mentioned the valves were reseated and degummed when putting it back together
Mileage is now 93240 so should hope if anything is wrong they should fix it.
Has all the work that should be done been done or have they missed something off?
Thanks
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Only thing wasnt mentioned.valve seals.on that mileage they would have hardened.which means they crack and leak oil.causing your prob.should have been sorted.
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Was mech1
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