rover 25

[vauxboi]

Right guys a friend of mine, his head gasket has gone on his rover, instead of it just being skimmed repaired then doing it again later on life is there any semi perminant solution as in anything to make it last longer than it already does:confused:. your help would be extremely appreciated

[muzzy]

The head may need skimmed regardless, check it for flat. I'm 99% sure you get a modified head gasket for the K series engine although I've very rarely worked on these cars other than skimming heads for them.

[dj_wudgey]

Right guys a friend of mine, his head gasket has gone on his rover, instead of it just being skimmed repaired then doing it again later on life is there any semi perminant solution as in anything to make it last longer than it already does:confused:. your help would be extremely appreciated
No but you can fit one off a landrover! This is stronger than the **** rover gasket!

[Markd89]

No but you can fit one off a landrover! This is stronger than the **** rover gasket!

:thumb:

[dj_wudgey]

The head may need skimmed regardless, check it for flat. I'm 99% sure you get a modified head gasket for the K series engine although I've very rarely worked on these cars other than skimming heads for them.
I havent much either we used one off a landrover to help my mate a year or two back!

[vauxboi]

you can use a landrover gasket? is there any companys who specialise in like a modified cooling system or something, because ive heard of people putting on these metal headgaskets correct me if im wrong lol

[dj_wudgey]

^ which is what im on about the landy gasket is metal!

[muzzy]

They are a steel head gasket with a head saver shim.

[vauxboi]

ahhhhhh sorry mate right i get you now so what model landrover gasket should be used

[craig green]

Land Rover had to try & sort the issue as they were obv continuing to use the K series, hence developing a better gasket.

I forget what mods you can do, but the best way to search it out is via MGF owners forums. My Dad had a printed document of what is necessary to sort it. iirc it involved a BMW thermostat or something along those lines. There is a blatant flaw in the engines coolant flow design basically.

[vauxboi]

cheers guys for the comments im gonna have look around the net but if you guys know of anything that can pro long the life more than it already is, it would be very helpfull obviously you guys know what you are talking about!

[muzzy]

Head gasket's will go over time regardless of what you do, best bet is just to keep the coolant at the correct level and mixture. When doing the head gasket, check the head for flat, if it isn't or you are unsure then get it skimmed. Fit the head gasket and head saver shim along with new head bolts. It should last a good length of time with that head gasket.

[craig green]

Head gasket's will go over time regardless of what you do.

Yeah but not as common as the K series do. My folks bought an MGF 3 years ago, it had just been done before they got it, its just gone again. I can think of many more horror stories. Wasnt the Rover K series featured on TV, (not points of view or crimewatch) but some consumer programme.?? lol

[Royston]

I have just recently done a head gasket on a 1.4 16V.;)

I had the head pressure tested and skimmed (the exhaust valves were leaking so had the lot done, cost £285 all done with full Payen head set and bolts)

On larger K series 1.6 + get the head checked, apparently they can fracture inside!! and also the block!

Buy a good quality head set and bolts e.g Payen (cost @£130 for them both!) not worth scrimping, head gasket shouldn't go again as the design of the gasket has been changed.

Head gasket set should also have a steel shim gasket which goes ontop of the head gasket.

Mine runs beautifully now:d

[Sloth]

the design flaw is to do with the way the system bleeds, it can air lock the inlet. the k series is an awesome engine, when originally designed in 1987 it was all alloy, belt driven, 1.4 16v engine, running multi point injection, and giving 103bhp. its casting techniques were revolutionary. the cooling system was designed as a low water content system, and when they bored it to 1.6 and 1.8 the size of the jackets made the internal coolant area even smaller. leading to overheating. finally, check the liner heights. they should protrude above the block by 0.7mm, this helps the gasket "pinch" and seal. check the dowels in the block are metal, not plastic.

[Jackroadkill]

Also change the inlet manifold gasket as this can leak coolant onto the head gasket from the outside and cause it to fail.

[Rysee]

Have you drilled the thermostat?

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff175/Rysee_sri_130/23642_487143790011_585655011_110285.jpg

[Bubba]

i thought it was to do with the theromostat being on the inlet too the engine so it thought the rad water was cooler than it was

[dj_wudgey]

there just poo thats what's up with them lol

[Rysee]

My mates a metro nut, we did the HG on his 1.6 16v K series well i assisted wiith the easy bits haha

He says with the thermostat mod the K series is no more prone to HG failure then any other engine

Just need that 3mm hole

[dj_wudgey]

^^ as easy as that eh lol

[vauxboi]

thanks again guys after all this i might have to look into getting a 25 for some reason always had a soft spot for that car but the issues with the head gasket has put me off, but from what you guys are suggesting is to drill a 3mm hole into the thermostat and replace the original headgasket with the new rover gasket which is a new design with a metal shim on it, and also replace the inlet manifold gasket, is it also worth when doing all of this bleed the coolant out of the system and put in fresh coolant?.

[muzzy]

You will need to drain the coolant when doing the head gasket anyway as you will be removing the water pipes to the head. When you go to fill it up again make sure you have a good mix of water and anti freeze, make sure the cooling system is pressurised and circulating the water OK. It may need bled once all the fluids have been replaced but unlikely.

[Mike]

Meh, rip the engine out an fit the 1.8VVTi thing from a Rover Coupe

[L14MNP]

Meh, rip the engine out, sell it. Buy a Metro an fit the 1.8VVTi thing from an MGF

Tidied. :)

[Mike]

Tidied. :)

Noooo dont be silly lol lad round here as a 25 with a 1.8 motor in & it'll keep up with ar kids Clio 182 peice of pish

[L14MNP]

I can believe that, but early Metros look sweet as these days. :$ lol

[Bubba]

sod it, weigh it in.

[Rysee]

My mates had a VVC Metro and 2 1.6 16v Metros, his VVT would have annihilated a XE Nova and the 1.6 16v would have beaten a 16XE Nova anyday

[vauxboi]

looks like these are good engines cough if looked after properly lol did fancy a metro myself before i bought my nova

[Jackroadkill]

My mates had a VVC Metro and 2 1.6 16v Metros, his VVT would have annihilated a XE Nova and the 1.6 16v would have beaten a 16XE Nova anyday

True, but if you leave Metros out in the rain they dissolve before your eyes until they're nothing but a rusty brown stain on the drive.