rover 214 1998 - engine seized!

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:22:42 GMT, jm assembled some one and zeroes in mesage id :

The engine might not need replacing. Depends how bad the internals are damaged. With the head off you might be able to get it freed up.

But OTOH it might well be shagged as you suspect .

The Honda unit cant be fitted in place of a Rover engine. The engines rotate in different directions. You would need a Honda gearbox at the very least.

thanks for the reply

i've lost confidence in it - shame because apart from the head gasket thing, i thought it was a good drive.

so many people are reporting head gasket problems it amazes me. why couldn't rover sort it out?

i intend to get the car sorted out for as little as possible and sell it. it's in good condition so i hope to recoup some money.

jm napisal nam:

Why again? Did you use that new model head gasket with metal dowels?

I have the same problem with HG :/ 214i rover too... I'd like to repair my car well, I do not want it to happen again!

apparently there's something new called a 'head-saver' gasket that could be used - this results in the compression being put back to what it should be.

too late for me - engine is seized and i think i now need a recon one.

:-(

If you went to start it after a while it may just have water in the compression chamber causing a hydraulic lock when you try and turn it over, giving the impression it is siezed. Just to look on the positive side

Des

you're right i should have it checked to see whether it is knackered 1st.

is this something that could be proven by a mobile mechanic do you think?

spot on des!

this has never happened to me before but cylinder 2 had water in it.

i already went ahead and ordered a second hand engine from

i've got a local garage that will fit it.

when done, i still plan to sell it though.

i'm currenly using a rough old pug 205 diesel. when i've got a bit more cash i'll look for something a bit nicer.

thanks for the reply.

mq=jm by the way!

Glad to be of some use!, I sometimes drive an old 205 diesel with 275K on the clock and it just keeps on going!

remove the spark plugs and then crank it over, water will shoot out the plug holes and it will turn over. guarantee it. it will still need a major head gasket job, as mentioned use a kit with new metal dowels. ALWAYS have the head skimmed. replace the cambelt. fit new head bolts (should come with the head gasket kit in some cases. (about £90) steve.

cheers for the tip - i already tried it and yes i got a spout of water from cylinder 2. i then started it up on the other 3 just to see whether i could start the engine so that it could be driven to the garage that would fit a replacement engine.

i then put all plugs in and it ran ok.

i had already bought a replacement engine (only done 8k mls).

the point with head gasket is that it had already been done twice before so couldn't be skimmed again. i was quoted £500 to do it anyway but the replacement engine route will be about £750 (unless the clutch is to be done as well). though i'm going to sell it i decided that this way is probably best. i'll be selling a good driving car with a virtually brand new engine, clutch, cam belt and also i put a new exhaust on it a couple of weeks ago.

anyone interested? 1998, british racing green, long tax & MOT, good bodywork....£1500