Can anyone help me, I am trying to find out what gearbox code my '93 220 GSi Turbo is, it seems to have a lot longer gearing than my brothers 620Ti which has bigger wheels. Also does it have a Torsen diff.....I know the 620Ti has, but I dont know about the early 220GSi Turbos.

What causes the anoying rattle when they are cold? is it a lifter or piston problems?

Is it just me that has got a huge oil leak from the distributor or does anyone else have the problem/solution?

Good car.....goes like poo off a stick!

the noise when cold is def. piston slap! It happens to all Rovers when they are cold but goes once warmed up!

It's because the pistons are able to rev high, therefore have been made from alloy! Not a problem, trust me!

Whats a HUGE oil leak! The seal or cylinder head must have warped i should think! I'll leave it to the experts!

Originally posted by cjreilly
the noise when cold is def. piston slap! It happens to all Rovers when they are cold but goes once warmed up!

It's because the pistons are able to rev high, therefore have been made from alloy! Not a problem, trust me!

Whats a HUGE oil leak! The seal or cylinder head must have warped i should think! I'll leave it to the experts!

Not many engines with cast iron pistons these days ;)

Right idea, wrong reason... :D They're made from a light alloy that expands quickly to the correct shape to maintain the correct clearances when hot. When they're cold, they don't - hence the well known piston slap. It's not localised to Rover engines - listen to any modern engine, they tend to have piston slap when cold. No problem, but keep the revs and load off the engine when it's cold - which you should be doing anyway! - and it'll be fine ;)

Now listen to a cossie turbo when cold - with forged pistons that have a much higher rate of expansion - and you'll realise Rover's are quiet!

Brian.

Originally posted by bgunn
Right idea, wrong reason... :D They're made from a light alloy that expands quickly to the correct shape to maintain the correct clearances when hot. When they're cold, they don't - hence the well known piston slap. It's not localised to Rover engines - listen to any modern engine, they tend to have piston slap when cold. No problem, but keep the revs and load off the engine when it's cold - which you should be doing anyway! - and it'll be fine ;)


You learn something new everyday! :)

<makes a mental note to tell this nugget of information to as many people at parties as possible.> :D

Especially people that say "Your rover engine rattles more than others.."

You can say: "Well, actually, no!"

Brian.

Mine has a slight rattle when cold, some days more apprent than others, but do a bgunn says and take easy when cold!!! V. Important on all engines!!!

Are you sure the oil leak is from the dizzy cap and not between the top of the block and head???? This is the common leak place for T-series 220s with old type head gaskets, not a big problem to leave unless it starts to pour or squirt out!!!

Old type HG - tab sticks out towards gearbox
New metal type - sticks out towards radiator. Found on 600s 96 onwards.

Yes all 220 turbos have the Torsen diff. The type/style of them where changed after 96 or 97 so that was confined to 600s and they also got roller bearings in the diff which are slightly stronger.

Yes the gearing is longer on 220 as oppose 600s as the 220 can pull it being a lighter car.

220 - 24.6mph per 1000rpm
600 - 22mph per 1000rpm

I have a 800 Vit which has the T16 engine the same.

The dizzy leak is a common fault with these (so I have been told) as my car had it aswell. Its the oil seal that sits behind the dizzy. I have recently changed the head gasket and replaced the seal at the same time. No more leaks:)

Why couldn't rover build a leak free engine???

Oil Seal LZB100270 x 1 is what you need here

Later T16 turbo's did away with the dizzy - so one less place to leak oil! It was plugged with a large, well, plug thingy!

I wish mine had that Dave, less mess has got to be good.

mine has slap when cold but no lack of power-old volvo i had did same thing but was down on power(bore wear)-so i thought rover engine can't be worn or it wouldn't have power when cold-obviously the reason u mention-alloy pistons.

Originally posted by P38420
I wish mine had that Dave, less mess has got to be good.

Yeah, well said......it can only be a good thing :D

Thanks people......

And you are all right....I had the head off this weekend to sort out the usual head gasket leak and while it was off I took out the front cam, sealed that joint and fitted a new oil seal on the end of the cam.

While it was off I wriggled the pistons around and No.2 definitely has more clearance than it should so, conclusion is definitely piston slap, but I can live with that.

I now have a dry engine down to the fire face......just the sump gasket.....rear mail seal...and power steering leak to sort out now. Rovers....dont you just love 'em!