My wifes Rover 25, 03 plate. 39k.
Got this car when there was 3k on the clock and it has been looked after well.
It doesnt get used on long journeys, mainly to work, 12 miles round trips, any time we go into town 5 mile round trip, and general running about.
Problems are...
No heating coming out of vents for about 20 mins.
Temp gauge hits the roof, then comes down again. (That last for a few seconds).
Fan still running even when engine is turned off. (About 2 mins).
When driving feels like a loss of power for a split second. (Dosent happing that often).
Anyone no what the problem might be?
Thanks for any help.
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Hmmmm a really wild guess would be that the head gasket has gone, although it is very rare for the K series engine to do this!
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Actually the head gasket doesnt fail as often as it is suggested.
Probabbly 75% of the time its the inlet manifoold gasket failing (minor job) that is changed at the same time as ahead gasket so its assumed it was the HG.
Failure to act on overheating though will cause HG failure.
Seek advice, but it sounds like thermostat has stuck and is letting engine overheat.
DO NOT use the car until you have at least an opinion or changed thermostat!
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Its sitting on the drive. Its not going anywhere at the moment. Had a macanic around this afternoon (supposed to be honest), and he said from what we have told him he THINKS its the hg. Cant take it until friday though when he can have a "better look". I'm worried about getting ripped off incase it isnt that.
Think a second opinion is in order.
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No hot air and an odd behaving temp gauge would point towards an airlock in the system. Dont drive it until the air has been bled out otherwise if the hg hasnt gone it will! It could be something as simple as the cap on the expansion bottle allowing the coolant to boil off, a leak from the cooling system or finally the hg.
If its the gasket, get the cambelt/tensioner/waterpump etc replaced at the same time and the cost wont be so bad!!! Dont pay more than £400 either unless the rad needs doing as well. Our Rover 214 ran for another 100K above what yours has on it once the gasket was changed so there is plenty of life left in it yet!
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Hi,
There seems to be too quick a diagnosis here without first checking the more simpler (and cheaper) things that can fail. Replacing the head gasket should be the last thing to contemplate. First of all, can you confirm if the vehicle has recently had the anitfreeze changed or the cooling system looked at. As mentioned before, these engines are notorious for air locks and can be difficult to get out. When the engine is warmed up feel the heater pipes where the go into the bulkhead under the bonnet - they should both be hot. If ones cold then its likely you have an air lock. You can remove the cold pipe by undoing it when the engine has cooled down and its safe to remove the rad cap. Run the engine and when the water comes pouring out, refit the pipe.
Another thing worth checking is the thermostat. As you've described the temp gauge shoots up to hot momentarily then goes back down, it could be sticking. Worth looking at prior to head gasket replacement. It may be worth going to a garage that has the facility to check the coolant system for engine gases. By 'sniffing' the system it can at least confirm if the head gasket has blown.
Worth checking all of the above prior to spending £££ on an unnecessary head gasket replacement.
Hope this helps
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That is what I was thinking Robin the Tech. But not knowing that engine I didn't want to intervene.
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I always say start with the things that cost the least and work your way up. If in this case it turns out to be an airlock then by removing that airlock has saved £££ in not replacing the head gasket. Simple but effective really....
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From the description of the symptoms, my first thoughts were stuck or failed thermostat, coolant airlock. It can be quite difficult to refill the cooling system in some cars, a bit of a performance opening and closing bleed cocks, stuff like that. Surprising how even professionals sometimes forget to keep the heater turned full on for example.
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Thanks for all your replies.
Yes, it had a service in January.
Its at the garage at the moment getting tested. I've been told the guy is honest so if it not the hg he will say so.
Before any work is done on it I'll do your tests Robin.
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>>Yes, it had a service in January.
Did it have a coolant change by any chance? The K series is difficult to fill without airlocks present - it may be your problem. Ideally the garage should vacuum fill the cooling system - i would bet that many a headgasket has been chewed because of coolant changes being done incorrectly.
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Did it have a coolant change by any chance?
Sorry for the late reply.
It did. But I have been told its not that. A Combustion Leak Test? has been done and failed. Said it is probaly the HG gone.
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