Rover 75 CDTi Tourer
Discussion
Glad to see it's not just me who is well versed in the contortionist act through the wheel well bulb access panel! Glad to see the car is still pressing on.
I've found however that should the nearside dipped headlamp bulb go, it's easier to go in from above; open the fuse box cover, remove two large securing screws towards the aft and the single 10mm hex bolt at the front, then the whole fusebox can be pushed in towards the centre of the car. This gives ample room for two hands to easily access the back of the headlight unit, as opposed to squeezing in through the wheel arch access. Unfortunately the offside access doesn't have a similar trick AFAIK...
I've found however that should the nearside dipped headlamp bulb go, it's easier to go in from above; open the fuse box cover, remove two large securing screws towards the aft and the single 10mm hex bolt at the front, then the whole fusebox can be pushed in towards the centre of the car. This gives ample room for two hands to easily access the back of the headlight unit, as opposed to squeezing in through the wheel arch access. Unfortunately the offside access doesn't have a similar trick AFAIK...
Thanks all.
darkyoung1000 said:
Stunning shots of Cadair Idris,that takes me back!
Glad the Rover behaved itself, even if you're now suffering exhaust woes on multiple vehicles...
Better to have a to do list of known issues, than unknowns that need tracking down! Tis a beautiful part of the world. We will be back.Glad the Rover behaved itself, even if you're now suffering exhaust woes on multiple vehicles...
Muddle238 said:
Glad to see it's not just me who is well versed in the contortionist act through the wheel well bulb access panel! Glad to see the car is still pressing on.
I've found however that should the nearside dipped headlamp bulb go, it's easier to go in from above; open the fuse box cover, remove two large securing screws towards the aft and the single 10mm hex bolt at the front, then the whole fusebox can be pushed in towards the centre of the car. This gives ample room for two hands to easily access the back of the headlight unit, as opposed to squeezing in through the wheel arch access. Unfortunately the offside access doesn't have a similar trick AFAIK...
Never tried it from above - I seem to have a muscle memory now - I think I could do it blindfolded. Not that impaired sight would be any different from the standard effort in this car, but still.I've found however that should the nearside dipped headlamp bulb go, it's easier to go in from above; open the fuse box cover, remove two large securing screws towards the aft and the single 10mm hex bolt at the front, then the whole fusebox can be pushed in towards the centre of the car. This gives ample room for two hands to easily access the back of the headlight unit, as opposed to squeezing in through the wheel arch access. Unfortunately the offside access doesn't have a similar trick AFAIK...
Oil change at 175k today - new Mahle filter & seals, healthy gluggage of 10w40 from Millers. Less than 20 mins and no drips. Onwards to 200k!
The 75 has been ticking along nicely of late - no issues and no complaints. The driver's side inner handle chrome 'bezel' fell off, and the hole in the axhaust is still there, but for the moment we're set with a trouble free Rover for winter duties.
I contemplated buying a set of steelies and winter tyres as my wife is starting a new job with a lot more miles, early morning starts and a significant amount of muddy tracks...but until she gets the contract in hand I'll hold off! A new set of tyres for the original, slightly tatty, tuning forks might be more efficient and not clog up precious garage space with wheels.
Currently negotiating ramp space from friends to swap over the the exhaust end.
I contemplated buying a set of steelies and winter tyres as my wife is starting a new job with a lot more miles, early morning starts and a significant amount of muddy tracks...but until she gets the contract in hand I'll hold off! A new set of tyres for the original, slightly tatty, tuning forks might be more efficient and not clog up precious garage space with wheels.
Currently negotiating ramp space from friends to swap over the the exhaust end.
The 75 completed standard haulage duties in November and December, the only expense being two new tyres at the crack of dawn Christmas Eve. A respectable 30k from the Falkens, and two new ones set me back ~£200 with fitting, alignment and all the other sundries at Micheldever tyres.
They simply are the best place for effecient service and as little or as much info as you want. The laser alignment needed a bit of tweaking to get right, and the girl torquing the wheel nuts noted the brake discs were on their way out (as noted by Jules and I earlier this year). Not even a hint of 'best book that in with us...' or some such nonsense - just an observation as the wheels went back on.
I haven't done the exhaust yet but I will - I'll likely be ready by the time the next blizzard marches through the UK.
They simply are the best place for effecient service and as little or as much info as you want. The laser alignment needed a bit of tweaking to get right, and the girl torquing the wheel nuts noted the brake discs were on their way out (as noted by Jules and I earlier this year). Not even a hint of 'best book that in with us...' or some such nonsense - just an observation as the wheels went back on.
I haven't done the exhaust yet but I will - I'll likely be ready by the time the next blizzard marches through the UK.
Yes I believe they are part of the same group (ProTyre), at least on some metric. Micheldever have served me well for over 20 years, and I have no reason not to use them where possible.
Happy new year to all - I hope everyone is keeping safe and plotting some ludicrous purchases & sharpening the spanners for 2022.
It wouldn't be the end of a year without a last-minute drama - at 17:00 on new year's eve I get a call from the wife, who has stopped the Rover as it was 'making a racket, losing power after a roundabout, and the exhaust looks to have dropped down'.
It being NYE, the RAC stimate was 4 hours, so I grabbed a tool kit and jumped in a nearby working car..
...and joined her on an industrial estate just off the aforementioned roundabout somewhere on the A322. After dispensing christmas cake to my good lady, a quick inspection revealed the final exhaust hanger had failed. It looks like the Lambda sensor was knocked and so the car went into a limp-ish home-not-really mode.
Many thanks to the security guard of the industrial estate, who allowed my wife to park up and sit in the lights to keep her safe and allowed me to park up with tools and take a gander.
Temporary fix at 18:00... cable ties?
Hmmm - what about the shoulder strap from the toolbag?
Done! Clipped on the the hangers and adjusted for correct height. Adjusted lambda wire and car was back to normal.
We trundled home in convoy, lit a fire and toasted the new year. Phew.
Happy new year to all - I hope everyone is keeping safe and plotting some ludicrous purchases & sharpening the spanners for 2022.
It wouldn't be the end of a year without a last-minute drama - at 17:00 on new year's eve I get a call from the wife, who has stopped the Rover as it was 'making a racket, losing power after a roundabout, and the exhaust looks to have dropped down'.
It being NYE, the RAC stimate was 4 hours, so I grabbed a tool kit and jumped in a nearby working car..
...and joined her on an industrial estate just off the aforementioned roundabout somewhere on the A322. After dispensing christmas cake to my good lady, a quick inspection revealed the final exhaust hanger had failed. It looks like the Lambda sensor was knocked and so the car went into a limp-ish home-not-really mode.
Many thanks to the security guard of the industrial estate, who allowed my wife to park up and sit in the lights to keep her safe and allowed me to park up with tools and take a gander.
Temporary fix at 18:00... cable ties?
Hmmm - what about the shoulder strap from the toolbag?
Done! Clipped on the the hangers and adjusted for correct height. Adjusted lambda wire and car was back to normal.
We trundled home in convoy, lit a fire and toasted the new year. Phew.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 1st January 15:02
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 1st January 15:03
I love those sorts of repairs! My parents' one has form too, one point the backbox breaking off and hanging there, and a year later (after being welded back on with my pigeons
t gasless welder) the whole pipe decided to come free of the downpipe and fell off on the road. I obviously had forgotten about the cable ties holding most of the exhaust rubbers together 
Exhausts just seem to be a thing with 75s!
t gasless welder) the whole pipe decided to come free of the downpipe and fell off on the road. I obviously had forgotten about the cable ties holding most of the exhaust rubbers together Exhausts just seem to be a thing with 75s!
Cambs_Stuart said:
Excellent McGyver'ing! Plus it shows the benefit of having a spare car...
Or two? Exactly! I may need another as the Alfa is currently in pieces and likely to be somehwere else for 2022...darkyoung1000 said:
A superb fix, nice work! I love seeing (and doing) these roadside repairs.
A very happy new year to you, and here's to more projects /spannering/adventures in 2022. Mine are likely to be 2 wheeled after accidentally buying another bike!
Likewise! Well that's two less wheel to worry about ... right?A very happy new year to you, and here's to more projects /spannering/adventures in 2022. Mine are likely to be 2 wheeled after accidentally buying another bike!
mercedeslimos said:
I love those sorts of repairs! My parents' one has form too, one point the backbox breaking off and hanging there, and a year later (after being welded back on with my pigeonst gasless welder) the whole pipe decided to come free of the downpipe and fell off on the road. I obviously had forgotten about the cable ties holding most of the exhaust rubbers together
Exhausts just seem to be a thing with 75s!
Yep seems common wiht the 75/ZT, but also somewhat down to high mileage with no problems pulls owners into a vague sense of reliability. This one had given me plenty of notice that one hanger was broken, and I have the new exhaust in the shed...this was a definite foot-stamp moment after the other cars all got stainless steel replacements!t gasless welder) the whole pipe decided to come free of the downpipe and fell off on the road. I obviously had forgotten about the cable ties holding most of the exhaust rubbers together Exhausts just seem to be a thing with 75s!
Exhaust replaced. Though not without some trials.
Last weekend I noted the forecast was for properly cold weather and frost, so resolved to swap that simple exhaust on the 75. Its one long pipe, a single bracket and two rubber hangers. What could possibly go wrong? Ehhhh.....
Jacked up the car on one side, pretty good access to the certain tunnel. Some plusgas and the two 13mm nuts on the bracket came away. Exhaust wiggled a bit.
With no rear hangers intact the old exhaust came out after a decent shake.
The new exhaust I threaded over the convenient bracket and slotted it into the front section. But... the hangers would not line up... and the bend fouled the rear suspension. What was I doing wrong? No matter which way I fettled it, nothing would line up.
I enlisted some help as this was getting to be heavy work.
We took the whole thing out, measured it - it was 3 inches shorter than the previous one! Damn pattern parts!
I attempted a halfway mend by bending the rear hangers, but this moved a key bend to foul the suspension.
We wrestled it hither and thither, but in the end I gave up and just bolted it vaguely tight at front and hung it with jubilee clips at the back.
I called Redhill Classics and they restored my sanity - booked it in for a slot on Thursday, wife took it over. They added a sleeve and rehung it in 15 minutes flat. Absolutely brilliant service. Phew.
We now have a fully working fleet with beautifully fitted exhausts, all set for 2022.
Last weekend I noted the forecast was for properly cold weather and frost, so resolved to swap that simple exhaust on the 75. Its one long pipe, a single bracket and two rubber hangers. What could possibly go wrong? Ehhhh.....
Jacked up the car on one side, pretty good access to the certain tunnel. Some plusgas and the two 13mm nuts on the bracket came away. Exhaust wiggled a bit.
With no rear hangers intact the old exhaust came out after a decent shake.
The new exhaust I threaded over the convenient bracket and slotted it into the front section. But... the hangers would not line up... and the bend fouled the rear suspension. What was I doing wrong? No matter which way I fettled it, nothing would line up.
I enlisted some help as this was getting to be heavy work.
We took the whole thing out, measured it - it was 3 inches shorter than the previous one! Damn pattern parts!
I attempted a halfway mend by bending the rear hangers, but this moved a key bend to foul the suspension.
We wrestled it hither and thither, but in the end I gave up and just bolted it vaguely tight at front and hung it with jubilee clips at the back.
I called Redhill Classics and they restored my sanity - booked it in for a slot on Thursday, wife took it over. They added a sleeve and rehung it in 15 minutes flat. Absolutely brilliant service. Phew.
We now have a fully working fleet with beautifully fitted exhausts, all set for 2022.
I was thinking about this thread a couple of evenings ago. Then yesterday morning, 300 yards from home, I was greeted by a clonk under the car and subsequently found this...
I did chuckle to myself. What are the odds, eh?
I was hoping it would simply be a case of broken rubbers (fnarr fnarr...), however they're all intact and look healthy. Instead the actual metal support band that goes round the entire back box has corroded through. Being a non OEM exhaust, the new supports on the Rimmer Bros site don't look like they'll fit this particular back box, so I've ordered some hose clamp banding to fabricate a temporary repair and get it drivable again for now. Due to see Jules at the end of the month for the MOT, so I'll have to do some high-quality bodging!
This is in addition to last week, it blew two dipped headlamp bulbs simultaneously whilst leaving for work in the rain at 4am.. resulting in the frankly ridiculous statistic that it has failed to complete 50% of the attempted journeys it's set out on this year so far. Along with two occasions during 2020 where it had to be taken off the road due technical problems... 2021 wasn't a great year for it, seems 2022 isn't shaping up to be particularly good either!
I did chuckle to myself. What are the odds, eh?
I was hoping it would simply be a case of broken rubbers (fnarr fnarr...), however they're all intact and look healthy. Instead the actual metal support band that goes round the entire back box has corroded through. Being a non OEM exhaust, the new supports on the Rimmer Bros site don't look like they'll fit this particular back box, so I've ordered some hose clamp banding to fabricate a temporary repair and get it drivable again for now. Due to see Jules at the end of the month for the MOT, so I'll have to do some high-quality bodging!
This is in addition to last week, it blew two dipped headlamp bulbs simultaneously whilst leaving for work in the rain at 4am.. resulting in the frankly ridiculous statistic that it has failed to complete 50% of the attempted journeys it's set out on this year so far. Along with two occasions during 2020 where it had to be taken off the road due technical problems... 2021 wasn't a great year for it, seems 2022 isn't shaping up to be particularly good either!
Oh goodness! Well I'm glad you weren't too far from home or in adverse weather conditions - hope you get it sorted.
Just to note Jules recommended a Klarius part which did not fit on mine, so be forewarned...
I know what he's going to say about the bulbs "Where the Osram... mmm... others seems to be absolute crap... mmm... I would use better ones..." or some such. Do pass on my regards!
Just to note Jules recommended a Klarius part which did not fit on mine, so be forewarned...
I know what he's going to say about the bulbs "Where the Osram... mmm... others seems to be absolute crap... mmm... I would use better ones..." or some such. Do pass on my regards!
r44flyer said:
Is the exhaust short because it's for the saloon, perhaps?
Hi there - no it was too short in the central section, joining to the downpipe - the saloon and estate both have the same wheelsbase so it would have fouled the suspension in either case. Saloon has slightly shorter final backbox seciton, if I recall correctly, but this not the issue. I noticed a few drips of oil on the driveway and popped the bonnet to investigate. Luckily just a loose dipstick, announcing itself with a glossy visual fanfare, but the intercooler and turbo pipes showed some more of the standard oil misting that signifies a porous pipe.
I marked this for investigation and also noted the fuel lines around the in-engine filter were starting to crack.
Does anyone know what standard fuel line can be used for these? Or if replacement under-bonnet line sets are available? I tried all the standard Rover caves but must be missing a trick.
Finally I targetted the one piece of visible rust on the bodywork - at the rear wheel arch. This was a victim of the van's broadside some year ago but some rust had crept into my touch-up job. This time I sanded it back correctly, applied Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 and then a few topcoats of the correct Rover paint.
Not perfect, but better than a multiplying scab.
I marked this for investigation and also noted the fuel lines around the in-engine filter were starting to crack.
Does anyone know what standard fuel line can be used for these? Or if replacement under-bonnet line sets are available? I tried all the standard Rover caves but must be missing a trick.
Finally I targetted the one piece of visible rust on the bodywork - at the rear wheel arch. This was a victim of the van's broadside some year ago but some rust had crept into my touch-up job. This time I sanded it back correctly, applied Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 and then a few topcoats of the correct Rover paint.
Not perfect, but better than a multiplying scab.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff