K Series engine - head gasket

james_joyce

Hi

I own a late 1999 Rover 414 hatchback and am wondering if it is worth replacing the head gasket. I believe this is a familiar problem for this model of car - specifically, I think, the K-series engine.

I was told several months ago that the head gasket was beginning to 'go', very slightly, and that I would probably need a replacement at some point.

At the same time there was some leakage of water, through the exhaust, and I was having to top up the water on a daily basis. This problem was basically sorted out at the time by adding some special 'gunge' (a kind of chemical porridge, which I bought for a fiver!) into the radiator. Would any of this be related to the head gasket problem?

My car is now starting to sound rough again and I seem to be having to top up the water more often. Also when I do this, I notice there are 'bits' in the water. Is this a symptom of a serious problem?

My understanding is that adding this kind of 'gunge' in the radiator, although a temporary solution, will eventually wreck something.

What exactly is wrecked by the use of this gunge? Is the entire engine ruined, or could I simply replace the head gasket now? Any ideas what the latter might cost? Is it worth doing? Am I better off with a new engine?

Thanks

flang

To be honest James the K series engine is just an awful engine and personally I wouldn’t bother getting it repaired as it is guaranteed to go again.
I think the design issue with the engine is that the cylinder head bolts screw so far into the engine block that the differences in temperature eventually causes the gasket to fail.
Common symptoms of head gasket are, cream in the water, stream out the exhaust, drop in power, excess oil burning, high water pressure.
Cut your losses and buy German or jap.

blue_haddock

Ignore what flang has said as the K Series can be a very good engine albeit one with some flaws.

There are two ways of looking at things. You can either repair it on the cheap then get shot of the car or you can do it properly and you will get many years service out of it. To do it properly you will need to get the head removed and probably skimmed followed by a rebuild using an uprated headgasket with new stretch bolts. Then rebuild the engine with a new water pump and timing belt kit.

If you go down this route the car will probably rust to death before needing a another head gasket.

flang

The liquid you refer to as gunge (most likely rad weld or similar) this works by sealing small gaps in the radiator and any very small gasket cracks/holes.
The small bits you are seeing is probably excess rad weld liquid, this will not harm the engine however it will gunk it up if you are using lots. It’s a bit like limscale and will eventually cause overheating.

flang

blue_haddock wrote: »

Ignore what flang has said as the K Series can be a very good engine albeit one with some flaws..

You are joking right...............................................................................................

james_joyce

blue_haddock wrote: »

To do it properly you will need to get the head removed and probably skimmed followed by a rebuild using an uprated headgasket with new stretch bolts. Then rebuild the engine with a new water pump and timing belt kit.

If you go down this route the car will probably rust to death before needing a another head gasket.

Any ideas what this would cost? The mechanic I use is fairly cheap for labour, too low turnover to be VAT registered, but there's obviously the parts to consider too.

goldspanners

james_joyce wrote: »

Any ideas what this would cost? The mechanic I use is fairly cheap for labour, too low turnover to be VAT registered, but there's obviously the parts to consider too.

£400. for this you should expect, recon radiator, new water pump, gaskets and head bolts,timing belt and any associated idlers or pulleys changed. and also the head skimmed and tested. with the obvious oil and coolant changed.

james_joyce

Are there specialist companies who deal with this kind of work? Are they likely to be better and/or dearer than getting the same work done by an 'ordinary' mechanic?

Inactive

james_joyce wrote: »

Are there specialist companies who deal with this kind of work? Are they likely to be better and/or dearer than getting the same work done by an 'ordinary' mechanic?

It's a Rover, if you spend money getting the gasket fixed, almost certainly something else will go wrong with it, get shot of it.

waynedance

put it this way my garage does loads of rovers and we tell customers there is no warranty with head gasket changes.

pendulum

blue_haddock wrote: »

If you go down this route the car will probably rust to death before needing a another head gasket.

So he could expect about two months out of it then.