Rover ZR cooling problem

The problem is loss of cooling fluid.

I have carried out a 1.5 bar pressure test on the cooling system and there are signs of water egress. The hardware used could also show if the cylinder head gasket was leaking by a pulsing of the clock needle, again no pulsing was evident.

The only noticeable thing is that a few fins, maybe over a 20mm x 20mm area at the top, on the radiator tubes have disintegrated. There is no water leaking at this point.

All hoses look sound and there is no water on the ground at any time.

Yet, 2 pints a week are required.

thanks dj

Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling
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In snipped-for-privacy@bt.com, Ten Pin Bowling, snipped-for-privacy@btinternet.com, il 4-02-2009 11:29 ha scritto:

If the fluid vanishes, but there isn't any on the ground, it should have been gone INSIDE the engine. :-/

There could be a leak in some gasket. If there is, I think you should notice white matter in the engine oil (try open the oil cap and check inside).

AFAIK, if there's water leakage into engine oil, it emulsionates and form that white (creamy) stuff (but I may be wrong).

I cannot think at anything else... hot water can just evaporate in the air, if the leak is small enough... but two pints... it sounds unlikely.

Reply to
Skizzo

No, that's it, and there is a new gasket that solves (yes, solves) the problem of Rovers' head gaskets blowing on a frequent basis.

Reply to
Brian Watson

it appears to be a major job entailing removal of the sum and installation of bits down there as well..............I have had 2 quotes £800 (3rd party) and £850 to £950 (the old Rover dealership fully taken over by Renault/Nissan)

Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling

Well mine was JUST the head gasket and I can't recall the exact price but £800 is WAY over what I paid.

Reply to
Brian Watson

what year ZR do you have...

Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling

Mine isn't a ZR, it's a 1.8i TOHC, but I gather it's the same lump with the same problem and the same solution.

Reply to
Brian Watson

then they did not use the long term fix........which entails a head skim, the new type gasket and a sump mod as well. The gasket only will mean the prob occurring again sooner.

Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling

Why would it require a head skim if there is not distortion, or are you saying there will always be distortion?

And can you explain the sump mod and the reason for it?

My updated gasket was fitted by a Rover-trained engineer who now has his own garage business and specialises in all the Rover engines.

If there is a reason for the full job, I am happy to have it done.

Reply to
Brian Watson

The root of the problem is the liners, they are not fixed and consequently move around. Hence they rubs against the gasket and causes it to fail. The liners are steel, so don't expand as much as the aluminium body casting.

Also the liners protrude above the top of the cylinder block and the head gasket fits around them, the liner float then wears through the gasket (old type)

The sump mod either stops or reduces the liner float. The 3rd party garage I had quote explained this to me and had just repaired a 1.4i and had all details to hand on what work was required. Aluminium heads are prone to warping if the fault is not diagnosed early which in many cases it is not. Better to have it done while apart.

Paragraph 2 makes good reading.

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Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling

I have checked with Rimmer Bros the Rover spares dealer and they list a head gasket set only for the 1.4 and 1.8 which is the best part of £100............that tells me it's not only a gasket.

Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling

OK, thanks for that.

I'm persuaded!

:-)

Reply to
Brian Watson

I am doing all this research for my daughters ZR. I told her its either £800 or No car and £5k to £10K for a newer one. I think she should have the timing gear replaced at the same time.

Reply to
Ten Pin Bowling

further 2 this problem. We eventually had the engine checked out by a very reputable mechanic/garage. They concluded it was not the head gasket but felt the inlet manifold gasket could be the culprit and a cheaper job. So yesterday they did the job and found a water path between cylinders 1 and

2...........so hopefully thats it cured. The mechanic did say under normal HG failures the symptoms are really obvious and the sump oil is just like coffee.
Reply to
Tom E

I have drunk coffee like that...

Thanks for the follow-up, Tom.

Sounds like a check of that inlet manifold is a reasonable place to start in such cases.

Reply to
Brian Watson

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