Hi,
I've done a search to see if I can find a similar question but unfortunately..haven't seen any answers.
I have a Rover and over the last couple of months it's been getting through a LOT of water. I top up constantly (with an anti-freeze mix).. it's not boiled up on me and I can't see any leaks.
I'm taking it to a garage tomorrow to be looked at but know that Rovers are notorious for the head gasket going.
Are there any tips to minimise the damage that could already have been done and any way of proving what's wrong with it?
As a woman...I'm frightened of getting to the garage..them saying it's the HG and charging me a fortune.
Thanks everyone x x x
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Don't fret! I am sure the garage will be honest with you.
There are things it can be apart from the dreaded HG. Sometimes leaks only occur when the system is up and running and under pressure. I had a pinhole leak of a radiator once which did this. Very difficult to spot!
Have a good look over the engine bay with the engine hot and still running (being very careful of drive belts) and see if there is any antifreeze leaking from the hoses at the top and bottom of the rad, and also around the engine.
If it really is ALOT of water and there is definately no leaks, then it could be the gasket. Does the car smoke? white smoke from the exhaust is often steam and can be indicative of a blown headgasket.
Good luck!
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Also check whether drivers/passenger footwell is damp or wet..Ps How old is it
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Steve
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Generally speaking Rover head gaskets usually fail catastrophically rather than over a period of time. That said the silly bead of silicone that Rover use to seal the head gasket can sometimes part company from the gasket and cause a water leak under pressure, hence the sound advice to look under the bonnet when good and hot with the engine running. Check the belt end of the engine as the water pump seal can cause coolant to seep out and the radiators fall to bits for a pastime, look for antifreeze staining on the radiator fins.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
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Hi and thanks for your replies.
It's R reg and is a Rover 200 (added to title. DD).
I'll have a look under the bonnet tomorrow before we go to the garage.
If it turns out to be the HG I know a'm looking at several hundred pounds to fix so I'd like to explore all possibilities first.
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One thing the garage should be able to do is to test the cap for leakage, then pressurise the system fully. This often shows minor leaks in hoses etc. If nothing obvious let them start it and run it briefly, making sure it does not overpressurise, then stop it. Water pumps on their way out often leak just after the engine stops.
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>>If it turns out to be the HG I know a'm looking at several hundred pounds to fix so I'd like to explore all possibilities first.
It may not cost as much as you think...any small independant garage without the big overheads will be reasonable. For example I had to replace the HG on my R200 at a cost of nearly £700, my mate has also an earlier 200 and just had his HG replaced for £250 including cam belt replacement. If you go to the right place you may end up paying not much more than a cam belt swap anyway..
Recon engines will work out more expensive and with not knowing their history will probably encounter the same problem at some point. IMO the car is worth getting fixed (depending on mileage) especially when buying a newer car may cost this in depereciation in no time and a car of the same year, regardless of mileage and condition runs the risk of costing this in repairs anyway...
Hope this helps....
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The plastic header tanks are prone to cracking on Rovers of this vintage. Often only apparent when the engine is hot. I've replaced several - they're not expensive either.
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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Thanks for all your replies, I appreciate every single one of them.
I'll print this thread off tomorrow and make sure we're clued up on everything you've all said before we take the car in.
x
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Well, we've just had a good look under the bonnet and can't see any leaks anywhere but having just looked at the dipstick, there were traces of milky oil! Re-dipping, the oil seems ok...is this normal or is it a sure fire sign that it's the HG?
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Well, milky oil or mayo on the dip is never a good sign, but it could just be some condensation from short runs quite common in winter. However, if the car is usually used for longer journeys and this mayo has not appeared before then it is looking more and more like the gasket.
If it is the gasket then it probably is worth repairing, an independent garage may be cheaper than you might think.Dealer may not be!
Garage visit will tell all.
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Well it's the HG !!!!
Luckily it seems that it's covered in a breakdown warranty which I took out when I bought it so the main money will come from them.
The garage has also suggested that they replace the timing belt and the water pump as a precaution. This sounds like a reasonable suggestion to me, is it?
Thanks again for your replies, you equipped us with enough knowledge to feel confident about the garages diagnoses.
x x x
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"The garage has also suggested that they replace the timing belt and the water pump as a precaution. This sounds like a reasonable suggestion to me, is it?"
Sensible garage, yes it is a good idea. Cost of these wont be covered by your warranty tho.
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Covered by warranty! you were lucky it went now and not later when it wasn't covered.
It is a reasonable suggestion.These are critical engine parts and if they have both done more than around 20k miles it makes sense to replace them. You may have to pay for these items (and their labour) however.
The timing belt may be costly - the garage may be trying to recoup a bit of money here so be careful. The price for the water pump and belt should be around 150-200 pounds, although i don't know this engine particularly well and that could well be wrong.Just watch out they don't charge you something silly for this part of the job.
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The timing belt may be costly - the garage may be trying to recoup a bit of money here so be careful. The price for the water pump and belt should be around 150-200 pounds,
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Is that just for parts?
The labour should be minimal with the head already off.
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The timing belt may be costly - the garage may be trying to recoup a bit of money here so be careful. The price for the water pump and belt should be around 150-200 pounds, although i don't know this engine particularly well and that could well be wrong.Just watch out they don't charge you something silly for this part of the job.
No. Belt comes off anyway - so no labour, just parts. Ask garage to get an OEM Rover belt rather than a factor's part.
Labour on waterpump replacement will be minimal (less than 1 hour).
Expect no more than an extra £100-130 for belt and pump replacement, depending on their labour rates.
Make sure correct antifreeze is used at 50:50 dilution.
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