Rover V8 HGF

[Liszt]

So the disco went off to have its ABS twiddled with due to a saftey recall. The dealer called to say that their are signs that the head gasket is about to go and would he like them to relieve Mrs L. of the better part of £1100.

Now this a 4 yr old Rover V8 motor with just over 45000 on the clock. Is it reasonable to have HGF at this age, is £1100 a fair price, is the dealer having a giraffe?

To add to the dilema I will be putting it up for sale in a couple of weeks, so should I get it done or take a gamble or what?

All opinions gratefully accepted.

[AndyS2]

Sounds VERY expensive to me, although about right for dealer labour rates, what are they charging £80/hour.
Get a second opinion from an independant specialist or a Rover V8 specialist. The head gaskets are quite easy to change on the V8 as there is no timing chain / belt to mess around with, and even if the head wants skimming that should only be around £40.
Let us know how you get on.

Andy

P.S. Let me know where you are and I'll look for a local V8 specialist for you to try.

>> Edited by AndyS2 on Tuesday 6th April 12:38

[littlegearl]

quite likely!!!

guy in my street got through a 'box in his disco after 40,000 miles and an engine (TD5 though) soon after...

[Liszt]

Ho Hum. It is going to a friends workshop to get checked over by a independant specialist.

Yep the dealership was quoting aroun £85 per hour labour.

He tried to explain it to me as "oooo, that's a complicated job that is"

Having just read David Hardcastle's book on the V8, I responded "Is it bol****s. The only bit it gets complicated is if the heads need skimming"

"Well, we contract that bit out actually, but that is a precision job."

[greenv8s]

What are the signs of a head gasket 'about to go'??? Do they have X-ray vision, or a fortune teller on the staff?

[Liszt]

Appears to be fluid seeping from block/head join

[Boosted LS1]

You may be able to retorque the head bolts and then do a pressure test. A friendly mechanic could do that for you. I think it needs a closer look at.

[Liszt]

My opinion exactly.

[v8 racing]

£1100 christ profit isn't a dirty word in that establishment is it!! you realy should not be paying more than £350 all in for that job and as boosted says if you can see the water leaking via the front or back a re torque will hopefully solve this.

[AndyS2]

Just as an example, I'm about to do a top end re-build on my 3.9 and I've just ordered the following parts:-

-2off re-conditioned heads ( acid dipped, skimmed, crack detected, re-cut 3 angle valve seats, new valve guides, new valves and new springs )
-Composite top end gasket set.
-Used rocker covers , acid dipped and painted.
-Used exhaust manifolds, blasted and painted.
-Used Rocker gear, only done 10,000miles and looks like new.

All for less than £500!! I have to fit the parts myself, but like I said earlier, not difficult.

Can't wait to get it all fitted.

Andy

[Liszt]

I would delve and have a play myself but it is a daily driver and don't have the time.

Got a 4.6 unit waiting to be modded to go into me Dax.

Well the specialist had a look yesterday and his conclusion is the dealer is short of work because he can't see a thing to suggest any problems.

SO that is a wedge of cash saved!

[fish]

I managed to change the head gasket on mine in about 2-3hrs. Skimming cost me £25 (cash) and was done in 1hr.

The bits you will need are:
Composite head gasket set - £15
Valley gasket(better fit a composite) - £10
New rocker cover gaskets - £5
Antifreeze
That is all the parts

Tools required:
5/8 socket(head bolts)
9/16 socket(intake bolts exhaust)
Torque wrench upto at least 80lb/ft
minor other tools

Even if you've never done one before it can easily be done in a day.

It is not difficult and a back street mechanic will charge £150-200.

[Liszt]

Cheers, Fish.

My specialist says it is running sweet as a nut and the LR dealer is having a laugh.


The other lump though will be getting the full works before getting dropped into the dax, tho.