An early Dorchester Red 75 is back on the road

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Rover600

I'm contemplating engine removal to do the belts (pump, stat, plugs etc) ...

Hello John,

It's a popular choice to renew the water pump when replacing the timing belts. The reason for this is avoiding a lot of work should it fail shortly afterwards; the phrase "peace of mind" is used as justification. However I am currently repairing a wrecked KV6 engine caused by a replacement water pump seizing after just 20,000 miles. It caused the main timing belt to shred (but not snap), completely destroyed the idler wheel, welded the belt to the tensioner pulley and bent all 24 valves.

The quality of the original, factory-fitted water pump should not be underestimated. You'll struggle to find forum reports of failure and there are some very high mileage 75/ZTs around including KV6s.

During my research I discovered that the genuine OE MGR pump has a composite (i.e. plastic) impeller and is still available from DMGRS and it's made in Wales! Aftermarket pumps have a metal impeller which, on the face of it, sounds preferable but this is the type that seized on the Rover 75 KV6 I'm working upon. I've no idea of the brand as there was no identification on it.

So do make your decision carefully John. It's tragic when a perfectly good water pump is thrown away in the hope of buying time then exactly the opposite happens and the engine is wrecked resulting in a much greater and more expensive problem. I acknowledge that this is a very rare occurrence, it's certainly the first time I've encountered it in many decades of car ownership and maintenance, but of concern nonetheless.

Simon

[Rover600]

Hi Simon, I've replied on my thread just to save clogging up Matts with my questions.