Rover 216 Auto T Reg - Possible Head Gasket Failure

[glynm15]

Anyone help?

I have the above car, and about two weeks ago noticed there was no water, so i topped up and about a week later - none again, topped up and this time only lasted a day. Again i topped up and as i was driving a load of smoke came out of the exhaust and when i pulled over and looked under the bonnet their was oil splattered every where.

Now is this the dreaded head gasket blown?

Also i left it abandoned in a car park for a day and when i went to pick it up, i found it started and drove reasonably well.

Would anyone recommend trying to fix it myself?

How someone can advise.

[cazzz1975]

when you had the water leak, it may have just been a water hose, unfortunately because you continued driving it the engine has overheated and the head gasket has gone.

so the head will be warped, when the engine cools down the head will contract back to its normal position, making it driveable and a bit better until it gets warm and it will go back into its warped position.

I wouldnt recommend replacing the gasket yourself unless you want to replace the head as well, considering the damage I would replace the head (you can get a second hand one from a tack yard cheaply)

[Panic Button]

Most Rover 200's die this way.

That's how my 214 shuffled off this mortal coil.

[david1702198]

basically because rover is the most s h i t e company ever to manufacture vehicles. head gaskets are famous for going on the k series engines in 10 years of working on cars i literally have lost count of how many ive done!!!1

[glynm15]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

[bigsister]

Mine died this way too, I couldn't believe there was much wrong as I could still drive it, but sadly I had to let it go. Was very fond of it. Mine was K reg too!.
Now I just use my bus pass!

[ambdukias66]

i don't know anything about rovers, but here's my two cents any way. ;) have you noticed any white smoke coming from the tailpipe? that's a good indication there is water getting into the combustion chamber. if that's the case, it could either be head gasket, cracked head, or a crack in the cylinder next to the water jacket. now, if there's no white smoke coming from the tailpipe, you're going to have to lokk for leaks in the cooling system. wash the engine well, then check under the hood after every trip in your car. with a clean engine it's easier to find leaks. one other thing it could be is a leaking heater hose, or heater core. you should be able to smell the antifreeze/coolant if it's leaking from the heater core as those are usually installed on the passenger side under the dash up on the firewall. check the carpet to see if it's wet or smells of coolant. well, good luck to ya!