> Did you use a genuine latest spec Rover gasket (made by Payne) -- its
> stainles steel & and aluminium gasket and is always supplied with 2 new
> stainless steel dowls which must be ued to replace the original plastic
> ones. These replaced the original type because of the exactly fault you
> describe -- the leak being in the vicinity of the dowl at the belt end of > the engine.
> Other gasket makers supply a composite fibre gasket for these engines ---
> not a good idea.
O did indeed use the Rover gasket and dowels...at 38 quid the dearest head gasket I ever bought!
> When fitting a rover gasket always check the head bolts threads are not
> stretched by following the procedure in the manual, I also clean the threads
> with a die nut. Also wash the the bolts in kerosene and allow to dry before
> inserting taking care not to drop the bolts in as it damages the threads.
> One other point take particular care over fitting the cam sprockets -- use
> loctite and check the roll-pin dowls for damage also check the bottom pulley
> is tight.
>
> The other areas where leakage into the coolant can happen is the bottom o
> rings around the bottom of cylinder liners -- rare and due pin point > corrosion.
>
> The inlet manifold gasket and water pump can also be mis-diagnosed as head
> gasket failure but this as you have spotted isn't the cause on your car. >
Ah the water pump...could that let oil and water mix?
Jon