Don't like to add fuel to the fire but...

M0T · 26 Feb 2006 at 23:38

Well there has been a bit of a debate on the forum over the reliability of Rovers and I have to say that unfortunatly the head gasket on my 1997 VVC Coupe has decided to go on holiday, dumping all my coolant into the sump.

Coincidentally the VVC Mechanism is fubared and it needs new piston rings so I am really looking at having to get a whole new engine if I decide to keep the car.

Its a tough choice because I absolutely love it but I think I have to be sensible on this one because it isn't really economic to repair it.

M0T · 26 Feb 2006 at 23:45

Well if I were purely to get the head gasket changed it would be around £500 inc parts +labour.

The problem being that because of the other engine problems I am really looking at at least £1000 to get it put right either with a 'new' engine or repairing the existing one.

The car itself is probably only worth £1200, and its done a fair few miles so its probable that its just going to turn into a money pit.

M0T · 27 Feb 2006 at 00:03

Well the piston rings have been like that since around august. The vvc got noisy around september and the idle has gone weird, apparently its a common problem as the bearings tend to go.

All seperate problems but expensive never the less.

The annoying thing is the car had the exhaust camshaft replaced however it was done just before Rover changed to using the steel dowels. If it had been done 3 months later I probably wouldn't be having this problem.

M0T · 27 Feb 2006 at 00:37

Its done 106k

The vvc unit is very noisy and the car idles erratically because of the problem with it.

It is also burning oil, well, now it will be burning sludge.

M0T · 27 Feb 2006 at 00:47

Blue smoke on startup and it last for about 5 minutes. I have been told this is normal when the rings go as the heat causes them to seal and close the crack....apparently

M0T · 28 Feb 2006 at 15:16

Well I have decided to fix it, and by that I mean I spent £150 in Halfords aquiring all the necessary tools, then off to Land Rover for a gasket.

They hadn't heard of the new one that has just been released but never fear, the old style one was £10 cheaper than at Rover so I saved some money there.