Hello,
I am looking by a Rove Coupe but reading the car breakdown it mentions head gasket failure is commonplace.
Can anyone shed any further light on this? Should I be avoiding this car? (I've sort of got my heart set on one!)
Thanks
Rich.
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If you are talking about the 800 series with the 2.5 v6 rover engine ,then I would def avoid it;Pass GO & do not collect £200!!
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Are you after the 1.6 or the 2.0? There is also a 2.0 Turbo. Neither of these engines is prone to head gasket failure. Regular oil changes are the key to reliability of these motors.
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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I was looking at either the 1.6 or the 1.8 VVC (if one turns up!).
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Hi Kavvy,
There were a whole load of variants on this. I'll try to list them from memory:
1993-1996 1.6 = Honda engine
1993-1996 2.0 = Rover T-series engine
1993-1996 2.0 turbo = Rover T-series engine
1996-1998 1.6 = Rover K-series engine
1996-1998 1.8 = Rover K-series engine
1996-1998 1.8 VVC = Rover K-series VVC engine
The most reliable engine it the Honda. But I guess you're looking at a later 1.6, with the Rover engine?
In my opinion the K-series aren't as bad as they're often made out to be. The later ones can suffer head gasket trouble.
The T-series engines do suffer head gasket trouble (of a different kind). They start to leak out out from under the distrubutor (where the oilway comes up from the block) and eventually it can start to really pour out. Every single one of these engines has this leak - but not every one gets to the pouring out stage.
2 litre turbo is extremely quick.
I personally wouldn't get a 2-litre non-turbo. The Honda 1.6 is nearly as powerful and more reliable.
The VVC is a K-series engine so I guess may suffer the same problems with head gaskets - but as I say, I don't think they're too bad really.
Hope that helps!
-Mark
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Oh, and if you have your heart set on one, I would go for it. Well, I did, twice. On my second 2 litre turbo now (first one got rear-ended) and I love them. Not everyone agrees (their perogative of course) but I think they're great looking cars, good to drive, and if looked after (and be careful because there are badly looked after ones out there!) fairly reliable.
-Mark
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Thankyou for your help!
I'll probably be looking for a later 1.6 or the 1.8VVC if I can find a suitable one. The only problem is that they do seem to be listed far above what Parkers say they are worth.
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I haven't owned the 200 coupe but I have had a Vitesse 2 litre turbo. I tuned it with a bleed valve and all the other well known mods for this engine and it flew! I also agree that the K series is not as bad as it made out. The VVC lump is used in the Lotus Elise, so can't be that bad.
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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v8man. Both 1.4/1.6 were K series almost identical units.Stroke as I recall was different..1.6 auto used the Honda unit.Not manual.Honda unit gives very little trouble..2.0 litre did have inlet manifold gasket/seal probs.though not K series
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Steve
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steve.o My wife had 214 K series but I thought all the 1.6s were Honda though?
My 2.0 turbo was a bit weepy, but nothing too serious. The only hassle I had was a burnt out exhaust valve due to a pumped up lifter. Rebuilt the top end and sorted out oil leaks at same time. Bingo!
By the way I have owned 13 Rovers in various flavours and my wife 1 and I love them despite what the knockers say.
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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v8man. No the 1.6 auto had the honda unit.Manual has Rover K.
I have still got a rover. The only problem I have had is HGF/Head on 2 414`s..Apart from that great motors..though most recent is 200 series not 4. Not so keen on 400 series. Visibility not as good as 200
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Steve
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>1.6 auto used the Honda unit.Not manual
>but I thought all the 1.6s were Honda though?
Did I mention that
1993-1996 1.6 = Honda engine
1996-1998 1.6 = Rover K-series engine
Oh yes, I did :-)
They changed the 1.6 to the Rover engines when they revamped it in '96 - new style interior etc.
-Mark
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If you are looking for a VVC one, ensure it looks fully maintained and has the service record to back it up. And a warranty whose wording will cover it if the VVC bits go wrong.
Have a VVC problem and you are looking at £ and £ and £..
(personally I would not buy a secondhand Rover if I intended to keep if for years as spares backup will probably be a major issue some time in the future)
madf
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Mark. you didnt say whether manual/auto. for honda/rover..as MK2 came out 1990 with K series lump with manual box..where did you get 1993 from??..As for first post If all in good order would suggest getting it..Only point I will make. Is K series is unpredictable.one minute its fine/next its a lot to repair
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Steve
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Hi Steve,
> as MK2 came out 1990 with K series lump with manual box..where
> did you get 1993 from??..
The Coupe wasn't realeased until 1993. (Could have been late '92 actually, K plate definitely.)
-Mark
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I used to have an L reg 220 coupe. Great looking car, good handling, pretty quick. No reliability problems at all, although the head gasket had been changed at 100k miles before I bought the car.
Bad points: letter box style boot lid, noisy, gruff engine, increasingly questionable image.
Awful points: Gearing is very low, and with hard suspension this car was horrible to drive at 70-80mph on motorways. Noisy and uncomfortable. Wind noise around the frameless door windows and the pointless glass targa panels was also a pain at these speeds.
It was almost a brilliant car, but really spoiled by these last few points. I would strongly advise you to try some motorway driving in one before you buy.
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Hi Mark. thanks for the correction
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Steve
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