Coolant problem - Rover 45

cyclonebri1

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

people need to understand that A. the engine isnt the problem it doesnt cause a HG failure. B there is a remedy to this that cures it of that problem.

1. the head gaskets fitted were of rubber seal type, the head of the engine gets hot and over time burnes away the rubber seals over the dowels water flow and over heating problems speeds this process up, thats why some rovers HG will last longer than others because the way their treated.

2. any good mechanic will use the multi layered head gasket developed to cure the problem. as the MLS gaskets have NO RUBBER SEALS theres nothing to burn away problem solved with use of a HEAD SAVER (to take up the skim gappage) and NEW HEAD BOLTS.


did you have the water pump changed when you had the timing belt done OP? if not this is the exact reason why you should, any car that over heats will pop its head and if it doesnt is pure luck. my feeling is that this could have been prevented when the timing was done the second time, not the garages fault by all means you get what you pay for.

Since when isn't the head gasket part of the engine and hence part of the problem, After market stuff may cure the problem but shouldn't Rover have done this,????????????

catflea

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

any car that over heats will pop its head and if it doesnt is pure luck.

I wouldn't say that "any" car would do it - certainly any car with an alu head & block but not a cast iron one...

pgilc1 wrote: »

+1

HGF on a Rover tends to be a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself.

Sounds very much to me like you ended up with a (badly) trained monkey doing the job and its gone again. Sorry. You are probabally better chopping it in and finding a replacement if you can't fix it yourself.

Just to point out that I am a rover owner, have dealt with HGF and think the cars have an undeserved reputation for it as pgilc says its normally down to something else going wrong and poor maintainance.

rev_henry

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Since when isn't the head gasket part of the engine and hence part of the problem, After market stuff may cure the problem but shouldn't Rover have done this,????????????

The modified version of the K-series engine which the new, chinese rovers (or whatever they call them) have do have this modification. A firm solicitor of was actually preparing a lawsuit over the design flaw but then of course the company went bust leaving no one to sue.

catflea

Roewe I believe. Although over here they will only be using the MG badge.

rev_henry

catflea wrote: »

Roewe I believe. Although over here they will only be using the MG badge.

Indeed. Something about the rover trademark belonging to Jaguar Land Rover c/o Tata.

Davey2009

Cheap runabout I can suggest Ford Ka cast block & timing chain instead of belt plus parts are cheap insurance low mpg fairly good. biggest pay out I had was steering rack £2oo & minor suspension issues main thing is rust the sills in particular. Some dont like the look but it handles well alot like the original mini
ps
sb our motor trading freind what cars would you recommend are the Jap & Korean really the best overall in your opinion ?

MeeNorr

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

people need to understand that A. the engine isnt the problem it doesnt cause a HG failure. B there is a remedy to this that cures it of that problem.

1. the head gaskets fitted were of rubber seal type, the head of the engine gets hot and over time burnes away the rubber seals over the dowels water flow and over heating problems speeds this process up, thats why some rovers HG will last longer than others because the way their treated.

2. any good mechanic will use the multi layered head gasket developed to cure the problem. as the MLS gaskets have NO RUBBER SEALS theres nothing to burn away problem solved with use of a HEAD SAVER (to take up the skim gappage) and NEW HEAD BOLTS.

did you have the water pump changed when you had the timing belt done OP? if not this is the exact reason why you should, any car that over heats will pop its head and if it doesnt is pure luck. my feeling is that this could have been prevented when the timing was done the second time, not the garages fault by all means you get what you pay for.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I had a new water pump fitted at the same time the timing belt was done.

MeeNorr

Davey2009 wrote: »

Cheap runabout I can suggest Ford Ka cast block & timing chain instead of belt plus parts are cheap insurance low mpg fairly good. biggest pay out I had was steering rack £2oo & minor suspension issues main thing is rust the sills in particular. Some dont like the look but it handles well alot like the original mini
ps
sb our motor trading freind what cars would you recommend are the Jap & Korean really the best overall in your opinion ?

Thanks, to be honest a Ford Ka wouldn't do as both my partner and I are 6ft tall and would be a little snug! I drove one once as a courtesy car and never again!

MeeNorr

Thank you to everyone for the replies, much appreciated. The garage that did the HG is a local garage that has apprentices from a local college work there it turns out. I don't know for certain that one of them did the work but when I went to the garage whilst it was being done I think he may have been one of them who was doing it. I appreciate everyone has to start somewhere and get experience but part of me does wonder if a more experienced mechanic had done the work I may not be having the problem now.

Anyway I can't change the past so need to look at the best options moving forward. Are more mainstream makes of cars (ie Focus, Astra etc) a much better option than less well known models such as Kia, Chevrolet etc. I know they're more well known and I guess parts etc are possibly cheaper but is there a big advantage for going for a more mainstream make? At the moment budget is more important and you seem to be able to get younger low mileage cars for a better price from say Kia/Chevrolet than say Ford/Vauxhall.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

chev/daewoo are vauxhaulls in desguise.

and i wouldnt recomend the lacetti either.

if your like me, you prefure a off of the NORM cars, proton do a nice gen2, i havent heared much way in bad banter about them, and can pick up a 55 plate for just shy of £3000, a taxi service has 3 of them in my area doing everyday trips so they cant be that bad. but research it first i have no idea how available parts are for it.

02-03 plate astra's go for around £1750- 2400 same with ford focus and thats if you can find one thats not a 1.8 as ive struggled a bit in my area to find anything lower within a 50 mile radius nothing wrong with the 1.8 just higher tax band and fuel costs, bit dearer than a rover on the insurance too.

stay away from french, italian.