Rover K Series HGF - What actually causes it?

[-westy-]

hey,

Seeing as there's been a lot of posts on here recently about failed Rover K Series Headgasket Failures, its got me wondering about what actually causes it (besides the gasket itself failing).

Thanks

 

[-westy-]

The biggest problem is that it has a very small coolant capacity, so the slightest leak tends to lead to overheating and gasket failure.

For want of a better description, the gasket is the weakest link, any problems and that'll be the first thing to go as a result in any coolant loss or overheating situation.

So could you fit a larger coolant expansion tank, to help avoid such problems? the same with an uprated headgasket?

 

[-westy-]

The engine is a fantastic design overall as it has won many awards for.

The problem most the time is not the headgasket but the liners moving as mentioned. The liners at high revs (especially on the 1.8 with its poor Rod/stroke ratio) have a habit of wanting to twist, the only think stopping them is the head. On a cold engine the liners have not expanded and so do not grip the block enough, the liner wants to twist, the head stops it and instead the liner drops. This drops the liner from the headgasket fire ring and you get the headgasket gone symptons but it's not actually the headgasket that's gone. This is a problem on the engines as they are not overengineered lumps of metal but finely tuned to minimise weight, hence why the engine is so light and popular with Kit cars.

Also any coolant leak soon fecks them up. On race cars they never have problems as they are well maintained same with enthuasts cars, the elises rarely have issues. The complete bolt through engine design is indeed race car technology and Honda copied it for the F20C and K20.

So you could replace the liners with stronger ones?

 

[-westy-]

WTF?

Untill anyone comes along and PROVES that the K-Series DOESN'T have a serious HG failure issue - there's nothing to be said other than to just laugh at what a complete and utter POS it is.

Let's say Clio's had a problem with HG failure - everyone would say - Ah yes the Clio that needs a HG replacement from the factory. Now if it was proven that the Clio lost it's HG due to the driver looking at it a bit funny - that would change nothing. The Clio would still have a HG problem.

Jesus, what is it with blinkered views. Bottom line - it has a problem. End of.

I'm seeing it from both sides here - Sure, its a great engine, its won awards, its lightweigh etc, however, I think that if the engine is maintained well and precautions are taken, then it shouldn't be an issue. A coolant level sensor is one of the things i'm looking into

 

[-westy-]

Since when did the Suzuki Swift GTi ever have forced induction as standard? Are you perhaps thinking of the Charade GTi?

Whats really impressive about the 100bhp TU series engine is that it's an 8 valve head, yet manages to produce 100bhp without having the power band of a diesel.

I love the Pug TU engines