MG ZR Head Gasket

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Lieja wrote: »

That's the fella

Just worked out my budget and it won't be getting fixed for at least 5 weeks, but at least we know what it'll cost so we've got a plan!

my advice.

IF you've had the HG failure confirmed with a sniff test and or compression test by a garage!.

is not use the ZR at all whilst it has the issue.

these engine are not like any other engine. they are all aluminum block engines, the cant withstand overheating like some other cars can, you can cause the aluminum to degrade in hardness, and also distort the plastic inlet manifold sometimes to the point of melting the mating face of the manifold causing warping which in-turn will cause air leaks and lack of power and finding one that hasn't already come off an already cooked engine the isn't already melted or warped is hard to come by.

rev_henry

Lieja wrote: »

That's the fella

Just worked out my budget and it won't be getting fixed for at least 5 weeks, but at least we know what it'll cost so we've got a plan!

Do they not have a waiting list about that long anyway?! They did when I last looked a couple of years ago when I needed mine on my old car doing.

Quite funny really that a couple can make a decent living just going round fixing an inherent fault with a shoddily designed car.

salubrious

£350 is a good price, but I suspect he's cutting a corner or two at that price.

The figures just don't add up if he is doing everything he is supposed to be

atrixblue.-MFR-.

salubrious wrote: »

£350 is a good price, but I suspect he's cutting a corner or two at that price.

The figures just don't add up if he is doing everything he is supposed to be

there a few rover mad people who know the engine in and out.

the engine isn't complicated to work on as the head can be removed without having to take off the injection manifold saving about 20 mins of labor just unconnecting fuel supply and wires as suppoed to trying to get to 6 fidly bolts out in the process.

get drivers side on jack and axle stand, whip wheel off whip the mud guard off wich takes less than five mins when you know what your doing.

you can leteraly take off the aux belt undo alternator bolts and bracket,undo exhaust manifold bolt at the down pipe (2 bolts) whip off the timing cover lock the cam with a locking block when its TDC, remove the rocker cover,remove PowerStearing hose clip bolt at rear injection man, remove bat connection, remove wiring plugs form injectors, removed some sensor plugs, undo the inlet air hose, drain water out from rad plug (into a bucket) undo water hoses and temp sensor plug, undo fuel hose to fuel rail, undo lambda sensor bracket, undo engine mount, undo servo hose, take off timing belt, remove the cams and then you have the headbolts left remove those (in sequence) wiggle head and off its comes. injection manifold and exhaust manifold can be removed from head out of the car where all bolts can be accessed.

IMPORTANT part is not to touch the crank or move any of the pistons, as the liners will sink or end up being pushed up proud. these should be measured with a straight edge and feeler gauge and measure for in tolerance specs height width and liner scoring if not within spec or you need to move the crank remove liners then reset with sealer or to move pistons liner clamps you can make with bolts washers and the old headbolts.

its a great engine to learn the basics on.

worried_jim

AdrianC wrote: »

The K-series certainly has a reputation for head gasket failure - largely due to plastic head locating studs introduced to cheapen manufacture during BMW's tenure.

There are replacement HG kits which include steel locating pins. Replaced properly, there's no reason why it would go again. However, if replaced in a cack-handed manner, then - yes, it will.

Either way, it's a cheap car that's developed a major issue with a bill about the value of the car. Normal bangernomics rules apply.

My K series blew but was manufactured in 1991 during Honda's tenure.

OddballJamie

salubrious wrote: »

£350 is a good price, but I suspect he's cutting a corner or two at that price.

The figures just don't add up if he is doing everything he is supposed to be

Or he could be a genuine bloke with low overheads compared to a rip off £100 an hour dealer.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

OddballJamie wrote: »

Or he could be a genuine bloke with low overheads compared to a rip off £100 an hour dealer.

agree its not overly expensive when you have trade discount at local factors and local engine repairers and resurfacing.

can get the headset and a bolt kit for about £56.00 trade less in certain makes.

£70.00 ish trade for skim and clean upto £120 including hardness test.

hours labor.

travel fuel.

plus other make and model repairs aswell.

salubrious

OddballJamie wrote: »

Or he could be a genuine bloke with low overheads compared to a rip off £100 an hour dealer.

What dealers? They don't exist any more, well not as we used to know them- A decent independent can be found for £50 an hour or less.

A head skim, pressure test, cam belt kit, water pump, engine oil, oil filter, antifreeze, head bolts, headset inc new double gasket all for £350?

If the water and oil has mixed you can add a flush of the cooling system, a thermostat and a second oil/filter change

I appreciate it isn't the most difficult job in the world but you get what you pay for sometimes.

OddballJamie

salubrious wrote: »

What dealers? They don't exist any more, well not as we used to know them- A decent independent can be found for £50 an hour or less.

A head skim, pressure test, cam belt kit, water pump, engine oil, oil filter, antifreeze, head bolts, headset inc new double gasket all for £350?

If the water and oil has mixed you can add a flush of the cooling system, a thermostat and a second oil/filter change

I appreciate it isn't the most difficult job in the world but you get what you pay for sometimes.

I'm taking about dealers in general, £100 is about the average hourly rate.

I know the guy does a good job, he did my mates ZR a couple of months ago and he watched him swapping the parts over.

This forum baffles me, something a bit pricey and everyone jumps on the ripoff band wagon, too cheap and there's gotta be something wrong.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

salubrious wrote: »

What dealers? They don't exist any more, well not as we used to know them- A decent independent can be found for £50 an hour or less.

A head skim, pressure test, cam belt kit, water pump, engine oil, oil filter, antifreeze, head bolts, headset inc new double gasket all for £350?

If the water and oil has mixed you can add a flush of the cooling system, a thermostat and a second oil/filter change

I appreciate it isn't the most difficult job in the world but you get what you pay for sometimes.

actually your wrong about dealers, MG has re-launched in UK with workshops so for MG rover owners that option is available if you wish to do so.