Headgasket K series
Discussion
This is also a great place for MGR help and guidance in case you haven't already found it
http://forums.mg-rover.org/index.php
http://forums.mg-rover.org/index.php
Edited by Hut49 on Wednesday 20th February 08:04
Is it really necassary to use a multi-layered one? All the garages I have contacted so far say they only use the normal single layer gasket. One garage said they give a 12 month guarantee which sounds good, although I wonder if they keep their promises.
My original head gasket has lasted 86000 miles so I would've thought that it would be fine?
As long as it lasts me another 20-30k miles without major trouble I will be happy.
My original head gasket has lasted 86000 miles so I would've thought that it would be fine?
As long as it lasts me another 20-30k miles without major trouble I will be happy.
It's up to you but I was reading the other day of a 1.8 Rover engine with cylinder head failure after only 20,000 miles. Most garages will normally use the cheapest parts possible in order to maximise their profit margin.
Check out this Rover 75 forum and ask what they would advise.
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/index.php
Check out this Rover 75 forum and ask what they would advise.
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/index.php
topless_mx5 said:
Ive managed to find someone who will fit a multi layer Land Rover HG. My only concern with this is that I have heard that it can reduce compression and hence a loss of power. Any thoughts on how noticable the power loss (if any) will be?
Thanks.
Have seen some suggestions that the head is skimmed slightly to compensate for the loss of compression caused by the presumably thicker gasket, however it should be added that I don't really know what I am on about here just regurgitating from hazy memoryThanks.
Ben
It is worth noting that generally cylinder heads and cylinder head gaskets do not fail of their own accord. Rovers have an awful reputation for this as any Rover owner will know. Take it to a garage and you're sure to have the mechanic make some comment even if the engine in question isn't a K series! Have had that many times with mine (T16 turbo).
Anyway I digress. The point is, that with good maintenence and level checking, the head gasket should last as long as the rest of the car. The problem is that the K series is very sensitive to low or non existant coolant and it doesn't take much of a drop in level to raise the temperatures and blow the gasket.
The moral of the story is to frequently (once a week?) check the coolant level of your K series engined car. If you notice the level is dropping, TOP IT UP, find out what's causing it and FIX IT! Otherwise you'll just end up with good old Rover HGF (head gasket failure).
Here endeth the lesson.
Anyway I digress. The point is, that with good maintenence and level checking, the head gasket should last as long as the rest of the car. The problem is that the K series is very sensitive to low or non existant coolant and it doesn't take much of a drop in level to raise the temperatures and blow the gasket.
The moral of the story is to frequently (once a week?) check the coolant level of your K series engined car. If you notice the level is dropping, TOP IT UP, find out what's causing it and FIX IT! Otherwise you'll just end up with good old Rover HGF (head gasket failure).
Here endeth the lesson.
having repaired many rover headgaskets use the muti layered gasket it a better gasket and tends to save the head from future damage {not allways but it do help} as far as losing power yes you may lose a little but truely your hardly notice and if you are that worried about it you can have your head skimmed to compansate but i dont see the point its a rover lol
Ben
BigBen said:
topless_mx5 said:
Ive managed to find someone who will fit a multi layer Land Rover HG. My only concern with this is that I have heard that it can reduce compression and hence a loss of power. Any thoughts on how noticable the power loss (if any) will be?
Thanks.
Have seen some suggestions that the head is skimmed slightly to compensate for the loss of compression caused by the presumably thicker gasket, however it should be added that I don't really know what I am on about here just regurgitating from hazy memoryThanks.
Ben
this is true and anyone with the k series engin should know the k series engin is as good as most other as long as you maintain it keep a watch on water level they dont like the lack of water as like with all engings few resons for losin water water pump have a slow leak rad leak bottom pipe below the rad is prone from rot back water pipe under injectors prone to rot one of the main thinks i find on a older car is the 1way valve on the head by the injectors tends to get blocked with crap and don,t let the water to flow prop around the engin my own rover 214 had 156k on the engin befor i blow the bottom end out lol but have know them to do more 2
LeoZwalf said:
It is worth noting that generally cylinder heads and cylinder head gaskets do not fail of their own accord. Rovers have an awful reputation for this as any Rover owner will know. Take it to a garage and you're sure to have the mechanic make some comment even if the engine in question isn't a K series! Have had that many times with mine (T16 turbo).
Anyway I digress. The point is, that with good maintenence and level checking, the head gasket should last as long as the rest of the car. The problem is that the K series is very sensitive to low or non existant coolant and it doesn't take much of a drop in level to raise the temperatures and blow the gasket.
The moral of the story is to frequently (once a week?) check the coolant level of your K series engined car. If you notice the level is dropping, TOP IT UP, find out what's causing it and FIX IT! Otherwise you'll just end up with good old Rover HGF (head gasket failure).
Here endeth the lesson.
Anyway I digress. The point is, that with good maintenence and level checking, the head gasket should last as long as the rest of the car. The problem is that the K series is very sensitive to low or non existant coolant and it doesn't take much of a drop in level to raise the temperatures and blow the gasket.
The moral of the story is to frequently (once a week?) check the coolant level of your K series engined car. If you notice the level is dropping, TOP IT UP, find out what's causing it and FIX IT! Otherwise you'll just end up with good old Rover HGF (head gasket failure).
Here endeth the lesson.
I had posted this somewere else.
Hi guys im vicky im new but i to recently had the same problem with my car. I found a really good company on the internet that sorted it for me. It was £450 for the job and they came to my house. only thing is i had to pay £150 extra for a piston line? they showed it to me it was cracked on the one side. Is this normal on these cars i have the thing in my boot. looks like a metal toilet role. I can see the crack though. car runs much better now though. there site was www.head-mechanics.co.uk i think
They were in birmingham dont no if they do that car though
Great site by the way
xxx
Hi guys im vicky im new but i to recently had the same problem with my car. I found a really good company on the internet that sorted it for me. It was £450 for the job and they came to my house. only thing is i had to pay £150 extra for a piston line? they showed it to me it was cracked on the one side. Is this normal on these cars i have the thing in my boot. looks like a metal toilet role. I can see the crack though. car runs much better now though. there site was www.head-mechanics.co.uk i think
They were in birmingham dont no if they do that car though
Great site by the way
xxx
Mr2Mike said:
I guess you mean a 'liner'? This is the sleeve in which the piston runs and whilst not a particularly common problem on the K series, I have heard of a few engines that have suffered from a cracked liner.
Too well known on the 'early' KV6, sadly (the factory recalled them and rebuilt the engines to later spec, but missed a few)... leading to an early trip to the scrapyard for many an early 825 
. Pretty rare on the 4 pots though?
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