Rover 25 - if head gasket is replaced is it trouble-free?
Discussion
Hi there,
Got a friend in the office who wants to purchase a Rover 25 - and after all the great advice I got on my last posting, I thought I might try you on this one.
I've read a fair amount about the Rover 25 and in particular the head gasket problem that occurs with the K-series engine.
What I was wondering is this: if the head gasket is replaced (along with the water pump and cambelt) does this make for a period of reasonably trouble-free motoring? Or will he being sold a pup...
Cheers.
Got a friend in the office who wants to purchase a Rover 25 - and after all the great advice I got on my last posting, I thought I might try you on this one.
I've read a fair amount about the Rover 25 and in particular the head gasket problem that occurs with the K-series engine.
What I was wondering is this: if the head gasket is replaced (along with the water pump and cambelt) does this make for a period of reasonably trouble-free motoring? Or will he being sold a pup...
Cheers.
If they've just swapped the head without making sure it isn't warped, then it could reoccur very quickly
If it's been done properly, (the head's been skimmed, they've uprated it to metal locating dowels and the multi-layer Freelander gasket) then it should be fine as long as the cooling system is in good condition and has been bled properly
If it's been done properly, (the head's been skimmed, they've uprated it to metal locating dowels and the multi-layer Freelander gasket) then it should be fine as long as the cooling system is in good condition and has been bled properly
HellDiver said:
Not every Rover blows up with HGF. You do know that, right?
True - good point well made sir - but the one my co-worker is looking at had HGF and has had the gasket replaced.What I'm asking specifically is, once it's been replaced, does this lead to reasonably trouble-free motoring, or is it a ticking time bomb (so to speak).
Thanks again everyone, I'm sure this has been done to death before but appreciate the replies.
Mine has been trouble free since getting the head gasket done (not a 25 but a 200, same engine though). Yes it is a common fault on the engine but, usually if you keep on top of things like the water pump, it should be a reliable car. Mine even passed the last MOT with no advisories which I think is pretty good for a 13 year old car.
Bob
Bob
Mercutio said:
HellDiver said:
Not every Rover blows up with HGF. You do know that, right?
True - good point well made sir - but the one my co-worker is looking at had HGF and has had the gasket replaced.What I'm asking specifically is, once it's been replaced, does this lead to reasonably trouble-free motoring, or is it a ticking time bomb (so to speak).
Thanks again everyone, I'm sure this has been done to death before but appreciate the replies.
Have a look through MGJohn's recent thread on here.
Agreed, but you were adding fuel to the "all Rover K-series blow up with HGF" thing. 
My folks had two Rovers, both with the 1.4 K-series, neither were driven carefully, and neither died due to HGF. One was stolen, persued across the country for 2 hours until it lost the Police and subsequently found burnt out, and the other one died of tinworm at 12 years old.
My folks had two Rovers, both with the 1.4 K-series, neither were driven carefully, and neither died due to HGF. One was stolen, persued across the country for 2 hours until it lost the Police and subsequently found burnt out, and the other one died of tinworm at 12 years old.
HellDiver said:
Matt106 said:
HellDiver said:
Not every Rover blows up with HGF. You do know that, right?
The majority do though....Whether he is sold a pup or not, it will not be down to the K series engine. Once the head gasket is replaced and any damage sorted then it will be right as rain, especially if an improved gasket is used.
There is a fix which was developed for cars with k series engines that tend to suffer HGF. It's a bit of a faff, involving relocating bits and bobs to do with oil cooling, fitting a better design of thermostat and replacing the rubbish plastic dowels with metal ones. There's a better head gasket involved as well. I've found that once the engine has suffered one HGF, it rarely goes long before another one happens, regardless of how well it's been repaired, unless the big fix detailed above has been carried out.
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