Rover 45 playing games

Rover 45 playing games

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SuffolkBobby

Original Poster:

7 posts

88 months

Thursday 20th July 2017
quotequote all
First time posting so hello everyone, sorry my first post must be for help.

I've bought a very tidy looking 2003 45 Impression 1.8 auto as a "to clear" car but I'm beginning to think I may have been sold a puppy. The spare or repair on the receipt should have been a clue I guess but I needed a cheap auto in a hurry.

On startup it sounds a bit tappety but eventually quietens down, she drives nicely and the gearbox is good.
It soon displayed a problem where the temp gauge rises and I have to add coolant, on switch off there can be a gurgling thumping sound, the fans work fine. I noticed new hoses and clips have been fitted so obviously this is could be a problem the previous owner was trying to trace and eventually gave up on (he had the car 4 years) I can't contact him as he has moved on..

I topped the coolant not to the top but over the line and left the cap off. I then ran the car for 15 minutes with the heater on hot, the heater blew hot air, the gauge stayed normal. The water level overflowed and air bubbles appeared until eventually the level settled. There is no mayonnaise in the oil cap (could have been cleaned) and no smell or anything in the header tank, no steam or smoke from the exhaust.


On driving, the gauge stayed at the halfway mark then began to rise to the three quarter position, I turned the heater control to hot and after a few seconds it returned to normal

I did notice some sealant on part of the rocker cover as seen in the photo and possibly a crack. Having had a rover 200 suffer HGF I'm not convinced its the case here, although it is possible, I'm thinking water pump and/or thermostat.
Any suggestions not involving a car crusher?



Edited by SuffolkBobby on Monday 31st July 19:38

scotlandtim

337 posts

135 months

Thursday 20th July 2017
quotequote all
Its a rover - it WILL be head gasket. ...........

SuffolkBobby

Original Poster:

7 posts

88 months

Monday 31st July 2017
quotequote all
Further investigation throws up another clue.
If I run the heater on hot with the fan on, the temp remains normal and there is no coolant loss. again leading me away from HGF.

Oldandslow

2,405 posts

213 months

Tuesday 1st August 2017
quotequote all
Thermostat or silted up radiator would be my guesses. Heater matrix is doing your engine cooling. The old remove the thermostat and test it in a pan of hot water would be my first step.

SuffolkBobby

Original Poster:

7 posts

88 months

Monday 14th August 2017
quotequote all
scotlandtim said:
Its a rover - it WILL be head gasket. ...........
Believe it or not a header tank cap replacement and the jobs a good un..........I have a HG set on the shelf should the need arise.
Happy days.