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Rover 214...head gasket?

Hi,

My wife went to start her 1998 Rover 214 16v the other morning, but it would'nt turn over.

On examination I found the starter would not turn the engine at all........I thought the starter was knackered, but on testing the thing I found it to be OK...........I then thought there was a major mechanical problem with the engine, but the car had gradually been losing coolant, and there were no obvious leaks.

So I took each spark plug out in turn and cranked the engine.........no joy until I took out the spark plug in No 3 Cylinder.........The engine turned over as normal, accompanied by a huge fountian of water from the spark plug hole, The cylinder was full of coolant!!......I let the water blow out, replaced the spark plug and the engine started as normal.

The engine runs perfectly, with no oil in coolant or coolant in oil so I'm wondering could it be the Head Gasket?.....Or is it the inlet manifold gasket?

Reply to
paul
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It could be either. Go for the inlet gasket first, because it's easier.

Reply to
malc

Paul, Sounds like the same problem I had with my 1.8 Head gasket got replaced (under warranty). Cylinder would fill up with water overnight. If engine was stopped for a short period of time, or valves stopped in a different position, engine would start OK, but if valves stopped in a closed position, the pressure of water in there would stop the engine from rotating. I have since been told that this is a very easy way to damage your crankshaft also. This was over two years ago. Not a single problem since head gasket replaced.

Reply to
Phil Cobham

deffinatly head gasket i'm afraid,, as phil mentions the coolant will slowly creep into the cylinder when the car is turned off because the coolant is pressurised and will find the smallest leak. its by no means uncommon to experience head gasket failure on k-series engines, its a weak point which unfortunatly hasnt been ammended by rover, apart from replacing nylon dowels with steel ones to locate the head on the block. head bolts must be replaced as they are stretch bolts, the head will probably need resurfacing (skimming) and always fit a new cambelt. not a cheap job. we charge between £450 - £600 depending on circumstances.....you must of course find out why it went in the first place, IE: water pump failure, thermostat etc etc. good luck.. steve.

all........I

Reply to
someone

I have a Rover 214SEi (1994 M-reg). Bought it in 2001 with 57K on clock and FSH. Head Gasket went at 70-odd thousand miles in Feb this year. I get it serviced/MOT'd etc at a Rover specialsts in Bradford (not a dealer).

Didn't have the bolts replaced as they said there was no need. Cambelt wasn't due for doing at that time, but is due now as it happens (last quoted £110 inc VAT for the cam belt).

Final cost for HG replacement, all new gaskets & seals and head skimming was £380 inc VAT.

No problems since - coolant still bright green and no coolant loss at all. Running temp fine.

Just losing oil now, but at least it's not into the coolant.

Cheers! Paul, Wakefield

Reply to
Paul

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