Rover 25 2002 model

[Joyse]

Hi New member female who only knows where the petrol and water goes! (but I am a good driver) lol
Had the rover since new, 52,000 miles. My problem is losing water, garage tested C.H. and says it is ok but can't find the problem. Water is in the oil, no leaks can see, very small amount of white smoke. Radiator hose at top is hot, bottom hose is cold, fan kicking in when temp guage just below normal. Performance is still good but can't go far due to water loss. Any ideas welcome.

[MGJohn]

Joyse said:

Hi New member female who only knows where the petrol and water goes! (but I am a good driver) lol
Had the rover since new, 52,000 miles. My problem is losing water, garage tested C.H. and says it is ok but can't find the problem. Water is in the oil, no leaks can see, very small amount of white smoke. Radiator hose at top is hot, bottom hose is cold, fan kicking in when temp guage just below normal. Performance is still good but can't go far due to water loss. Any ideas welcome.

Sad to report, Coolant/Water is in the Oil is usually a sign of a damaged Cylinder Head Gasket. The little seals around some of the coolant passageways do not last forever and when one or two expire, that allows coolant to enter the oil drainage passageways and it makes its way down into the oil in the sump. If the coolant/oil mix level gets too high, running the engine that way could do more harm.

Depends on how the checked the C.H. Their test may not have been for leaks past gasket seals.

You need to take your car to somewhere who knows these cars well and is able to identify the problem correctly.

Several of these cars in the family. Prime suspect when one of these engines starts to lose coolant is the Water Pump. The one in my MG ZS bought new in 2003 started to leak and became progressively worse at around 50,000 miles. Replaced that about five years ago before the lost coolant caused over heating which is the prime cause of cylinder head damage. Now twelve years old, no signs of coolant losses and still on original cylinder head gasket.

Could be simply a worn spring in the pressure valve in the Coolant Bottle expansion cap. Numerous other reasons why an engine loses coolant of course but those two mention are quite frequent.

Any one of those reasons for coolant loss will damage engine components if car is driven on and engine over heats. The first engine part usually damaged is the Cylinder Head Gasket ( CHG ).

If the garage you first took the car too has not been able to identify the source of the coolant loss, find another and explain what you did in your post.

Whereabouts are you? There are some very competent travelling "mobile" folks who specialise in these cars and can fix them at your home. Their rates are very reasonable. They will also tell you if your engine has been overheated so needs additional repair work. If caught in time and repaired, there's no reason why your 25 cannot do more than double that 52,000 miles. Two 25s in my family have and another has done 160,000 and still runs strong.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

A good source of those well recommended mobile repair specialists can be found here.

http://forums.mg-rover.org/index.php

Copy your original post over there.


Some mobiles advertise elsewhere even on ebay.

[Joyse]

Thank you for your most helpful advice. I am in Christchurch. I have looked previously for a specialist Rover garage and couldn't find one but I looked again the other day using different search engine and have found one in Poole. He said up to one hour to find the problem. I just hope he really does know as I keep paying out for people to look at it and it's been money down the drain! Before I book it in I will do as you say and post it on that other forum maybe someone on there is in this area. I will let you know how I get on. thanks again.

[MGJohn]

Joyse, if not already a member, sign up for the enthusiasts' site that specialises in MGs and Rovers with the same engine as yours here :~

http://forums.mg-rover.org/index.php

Then pose a question on the 200/25/ZR forum

http://forums.mg-rover.org/forumdisplay.php?f=101

Start a thread explaining what the situation with your car is and you invite quotes for any of the Mobile Rover Engine Repair specialists. There are a few spread across the country and their price will include travel costs to your home where they repair the car. My search turned up the following specialists.

said:

.
There is MG Rover Solutions- Russell Walsh. MG/Rover Mobile Mechanics of Derby (Dave & Kayleigh) both of which can be found down in the TRADER FORUM on this very site. Jon Norris is also reknowned for his HGF repairs and it seems now works with Russell.
.

Here's the link to the trader forum :~

http://forums.mg-rover.org/forumdisplay.php?f=185

I have never used any of the mobile repair specialists myself as I DIY repair my own and family cars. However I have met Dave and Kayleigh and others at at a Pride of Longbridge events etc and the "mobiles" have been well recommended by other members who've had good service from them on the forum.

The reason I would take that course of action in your position is mainly due to what I read in your original post. Whilst there are some fine repair outfits out there with well run workshops working on many cars, that's not the same as those who specialise and have wide ranging focus of experience on a particular group of cars.

[Joyse]

Thanks John - signed up

[Joyse]

John

One very satisfied customer of Dave and Kayleigh. Their guy Dan came and sorted me out - replacement CH plus all the other bits and pieces and radiator at very reasonable cost. He certainly knew what he was doing and my car goes like a dream now. Thank you so much for recommending them - I'm a very happy customer!! Joy x

[PoleDriver]

Well done MGJ... Pistonheads at its best!