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45 gasket gone - can I just replace engine

1K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Landfill 
#1 ·
Hello,

Just had word from the mechanic that - surprise surprise - the head gasket has gone on my beloved Rover 45.

It's a bog standard 2000 1.4l Rover 45.

Can I just buy and fit another engine?

Can I upgrade it to a 1.8l engine without much bother?

Can anyone here sell me the engine and do the work? I know the car isn't worth much but it's in great nick and I love her!

Thanks,

Sam
 
#2 ·
You can fit another engine but it's far easier to have the head gasket replaced on your existing one, especially as the provenance of a replacement engine can rarely be assured. If you want to upgrade to a 1.6 or 1.8 this is possible as the engines are virtually the same as your 1.4. Bear in mind the 1.8 has a different (stronger) gearbox which you would be advised to swap to as well. 1.8s also have upgraded brakes.
 
#3 ·
Thank you.

Is there anyone here that might be able to do that work? My local mechanic (not a rover specialist) says it'll be at least £1,000 so not worth it.

Not sure if it makes a difference but the car is still running fine - the only indication is the temperature gauge - and some steam from under the bonnet (!).

Thank you,

Sam
 
#4 ·
where is the steam coming from ??
is it really head gasket failed ??
£1000 to do a head gasket / change an engine reallllllyyyyyyyyy.................
then they wonder why only idiots with more money than sense use them .
their are mobile mechanics on here who will repair for far less and travel to you at the extra cost of petrol depending on where you are it should still be a lot less than that..
a few more details of the problem may be worth giving ,is the steam coming from head gasket going externally ?
a split pipe / corroded radiator their are many things to check including a bad cap on the cooling system reservoir or water pump going.. .
 
#6 ·
Yes some good advice here. Whereabouts are you and the car located?

My son has changed the Cylinder Head Gasket on a 1.4 Rover in less than four hours working on the hard standing in front of my garage. He is simply a keen amateur Rover and MG enthusiast. No pro-training all self-taught.

I have seen him and his friend remove an engine from a breaker yard car within about and hour. Then fit it to his friends Rover 25. It's all down to experience.

Garages who work on any cars are often the Jack of all and master of none. The travelling outfits who specialise in these MG and Rovers come well recommended with a vast knowledge and can fix the car at your home. Because they specialise and have a vast experience with fixing these cars, I would get in touch with one who maybe could travel to you and double check to actually identify the problem ... as others have explained it might not have a damaged cylinder head gasket ....and recommend a best course of repair or replace action for you ... at a reasonable price.

In your position that is what I would do if as you say the car is a nice one and worth some reasonable expense and time invested in it. Better devil you know.

Many folks get rid and buy another used car... Not always the best answer. Sometimes ending up with more problems than the one they got rid of.
 
#7 ·
Hi all, thank you so much for all these replies - it's sounding a bit more hopeful.

I live in London near Edgware Road / Paddington.

I'm sorry to confess I don't know a huge amount about the inner workings of the car - I'll have a look at exactly where the steam is coming from, hopefully tonight.

What I do know is, the car was fine until a week ago when suddenly...
- The fan has started coming on on short journeys
- The temperature guage has gone way above halfway a couple of times
- Steam is coming from under the bonnet on short journeys - by the bottom right hand corner of the windscreen as you sit in the car.
- The mechanics (who I've usually found to be decent blokes) said the tests they've done suggest it's very likely the head gasket, but to confirm will mean taking the engine apart which will take me into the hundreds of pounds before I have an answer. And then £1,000+ if that is indeed the problem (I think they were basically saying 'we don't want to get stuck into a project that could end up costing more than the car's worth).

Would anyone mind recommending one of these mobile mechanics / Rover specialists? Sounds perfect because I love the car and it's in great shape otherwise. Only done 40,000 miles!

Thanks again - much appreciated.

Sam
 
#8 ·
Hi Sam,

Do NOT use that garage you mention. From what you say they are not up to scratch where these cars are concerned. What if they expensively remove the car's cylinder head and find a perfect Gasket as the fault is elsewhere. They may not reveal that either ... 'appens. That scenario is not rare even in the best run workshops. There are numerous possible reasons for why your car is like it is. Needs more investigations before Cylinder Head removal which should be the very last investigation option.

Google or search this site for those recommended travelling K-Series specialists. Member **Kayleigh** here would be a good place to start your search here. Send a PM. That's just one that comes to mind and there are several others who are recommended to.
 
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#10 ·
Ahhh, that will be London prices then. Most expensive head gasket change i've ever seen was £400. That was on my old MG ZR about 3 years ago by the previous owner. The receipt shows £51 for a FAI head gasket set.

Cant be that bad as the engine is still sweet and running in my current car. My usual garage normally charges about £250 for the same job, although he does have all the skimming equipment in house :D
 
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