Help - advice before noon today please

2gorgeousgirls

Woody, Woody, Woody, I said please don't tell me and you did, you naughty person!

Will just have to hope and pray it doesn't go before the MOT in November. At least if I get to the new year, I'll have some savings behind me.

2gorgeousgirls

flyboy 152 - I didn't buy the one with 130,00 miles on it in the end, that was a diesel peugeot. I bought a late 2006 petrol Rover 25 with 35,000 miles, got 3 month warranty but I am happy with that as I have a local mechanic who is a friend and not too hard to pay.

rev_henry

2gorgeousgirls wrote: »

Don't see any mention of the head gasket in the service record but cambelt has been done.

Please don't tell me the head gasket is likely to go and be really expensive.:(

Its not certain of course but its more likely than other engines. Basically its a design flaw in the engine - combination of a small capacity coolant reservoir and a weak design of the head gasket itself. When and if they go you generally replace with a multi layer steel gasket which was a better design and, if done properly should be no more likely to 'go' again than any other car. I believe its £300-400 to have it done properly if and when it needs it.

The main thing you can do to mitigate this is keep a very close eye on the temp gauge, and ensuring the coolant is kept topped up, and replaced every 2 years, using (usually) PINK OAT antifreeze NOT just water and NOT the blue stuff. I try to check mine weekly, and before every long journey. If you just generally maintain the car properly the risk is reduced.

rodenal

Just to confirm it's usually a lack of coolant / cooling that actually causes the head to go on the k series engines. If you ensure it's always at the right level you should have no problems.

Even if the head does go it's a very simple job on these in all honesty and I wouldn't expect it to cost more than £2-300 (max). The 25's are perfectly decent little cars and actually drive quite well I just hope you didn't pay too much for it as they are next to worthless now really.

2gorgeousgirls

rev_henry and rodenal - thanks for the advice about the coolant. :TDon't have the car at work today but will check it (or rather hubby will) when I get home and will keep a close eye on it.

Really don't know much about cars apart from topping up water and checking oil so your advice is very welcome.

Have to say I love the car. Loved the Fiesta too but this car feels much more solid. Doesn't have the same lift as the Fiesta but thats not a problem.

I checked the price of this car to other similar Rover 25s on internet. Am happy with the price I paid. Paid £2,800 (Northern Ireland prices!) for a high spec model, has full leather interior, park sensors, height adjustable drivers seat and adjustable lumbar support while other models which didn't have these were selling for around the same or slightly more with many having more miles on the clock. Bodywork in excellent condition with one new tyre. Also garage replaced exhaust and they had to replace the electrics box as the electrics gave out the evening I brought the car home!
So with that work already done, I don't anticipate any major maintenance costs for a while.

I know if I was in mainland UK it would probably be cheaper but NI is expensive for cars and insurance.:(

NeverAgain_2

I read somewhere upgraded head gaskets were fitted to later 25s, which the OP's car is.

Electrical problems are not a promising start, but I don't think they are known for that, so probably a one-off.

As others have said, make sure the anti-freeze/water mixture is a strong one, and keep a close eye on the level.

It should be OK from the garage, but if you are topping up, bear in mind the two colours do not mix.

So if it's blue, put blue in, and if it's pink, put pink in.

rev_henry

NeverAgain wrote: »

I read somewhere upgraded head gaskets were fitted to later 25s, which the OP's car is.

Electrical problems are not a promising start, but I don't think they are known for that, so probably a one-off.

As others have said, make sure the anti-freeze/water mixture is a strong one, and keep a close eye on the level.

It should be OK from the garage, but if you are topping up, bear in mind the two colours do not mix.

So if it's blue, put blue in, and if it's pink, put pink in.

Not so much strong, just the correct mix. IIRC its 50:50. And it should be pink (or orange occasionally) which has extra corrosion inhibitors (OAT) that the blue stuff doesn't have, so the blue stuff won't last as long.

OP I don't really know if that's a good price or not but you've certainly got a great spec. Mine doesn't even have electric windows (but strangely it does have an electric sunroof).

2gorgeousgirls

Neveragain - apparently the "box" for the electricals has been changed so hopefully no more problems. Hopefully you're right and I have an "upgraded" head gasket but, just in case, I will make sure to keep it topped up.

Rev_Henry - don't have a sunroof, have aircon. I did take it and have the gas topped up. Lovely on a warm day (not sure I can remember what they're like though, freezing over here!). It is a lovely car, think I'm i love;)

rev_henry

2gorgeousgirls wrote: »

Neveragain - apparently the "box" for the electricals has been changed so hopefully no more problems. Hopefully you're right and I have an "upgraded" head gasket but, just in case, I will make sure to keep it topped up.

Rev_Henry - don't have a sunroof, have aircon. I did take it and have the gas topped up. Lovely on a warm day (not sure I can remember what they're like though, freezing over here!). It is a lovely car, think I'm i love;)

I think you either have aircon or a sunroof! I did look at one with aircon but it was £500 more and 2 years older. Still sweating in traffic jams then. Is it a 1.4 you have?

2gorgeousgirls

rev_henry wrote: »

I think you either have aircon or a sunroof! I did look at one with aircon but it was £500 more and 2 years older. Still sweating in traffic jams then. Is it a 1.4 you have?

Yes, nice smooth car to drive. Glad I got aircon for all the glorious weather we have, ha ha:rotfl: