Dummy question: what is that big black plastic container?
 

As I've to change the belts, pump & the like, my wise mechanic warned me that it may be a good move to change that big black plastic container and even the black sensor close by on the right.
Would it be necessary given that it's very hardly moist and I don't need topping any coolant, barely one only glass a year to keep it at the max?
The other mechanic told me that such a plastic in the low middle part of the V may break suddenly...

But in case I should order from Rimmer or DMGRS what are their names and Rover references?
Thanks a lot. :}

Could it be the thermostat kit that I can find at DMGRS

https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/re-...ant=4078201669


https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/02...g?v=1440324411

That is the replacement but there is a metal option that should last the life of the car. More expensive, I have one on my 2 ltr Cowley car and 2.5 ltr

edit: just looked and out of stock,may be worth asking when the next batch is due in.





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Hello Arnaud,

The big black plastic container is the thermostat housing and as on a 1999 car it has not given you any trouble you'd be wiser than your mechanics to leave it alone. :D

The black sensor close by on the right is the temperature sender. You'll definitely be wasting your money replacing that. Mine's now 21 years old.

Simon

Thank you Simon. I think I'll stick to your advice. But - I'm cautious - just in case I've ordered all the stuff from DMGRS to be put aside on the shelf. I think that because of that ghastly brexit, things may be more expensive and shipping delayed. Nobody knows... After all as one says, it's only money! :laughing2:
And to add some more water to your mill ;), the mechanic told me that the main belt was in very good order after 6 years and a half, but he added you never knows and any belt may crack even it looks fine from outside.
More cautious, meticulous & fussy than my mechanic, rather hard to find out! They don't want to take any risk for fear they might be seen as responsible of any damage... I understand that.

Hello Arnaud, thanks for your reply.
Yes, it would be. Mine was in very good order after 19 years and 90,000 miles. :} I hope that your mechanic's vigilance extended to the tensioner and idler pulley bearings as these are the real threat to belt life.
He's obviously of a nervous disposition. The problem with that philosophy is where do you stop? Ultimately you'll end up spending a lot of money unnecessarily. :o

Simon

Indeed I asked for the whole kit to be swapped including tensioner & idler pulley I'd got in a bundle at DMGRS.
The reason why I decided to stick to the 6 years at the moment is that I don't know how my 75 was driven between 2014 and 2017 and whether she was garaged or not.
Next time I think I'll try to give the belts & the like a little more time, mainly because I've now got my 214 cabby hence the 75 is only used for long journeys and will not make more than 5k miles a year. :D