Rover 75 18T 03 plate smoking after head gasket change

SDC · 5th February 2017, 12:40

Hi
I had my head gasket change 3 months ago and it has started smoking really bad. I took it back and he reports the piston rings must have gone due to the head being skimmed and it has more compression so it would be the next thing to go. I had the AA out and he suggested that it could be the valve seals, but my mechanic said no it looks like the piston rings. Is he just fobbing me off, cause it's still under guarantee. At first the smoke was on start up and went after 5 minutes, but now it just smokes continuously, less when it gets work but still really bad can you help.

T-Cut · 5th February 2017, 13:13

The first thing to suffer after a head gasket failure allows coolant into the oil is the turbocharger. I suspect the turbo bearings may have failed and is allowing oil into the exhaust system. Rather than jump in with the very expensive piston rings theory (which is rather far fetched IMO), I'd remove the large bore inlet air hose on the turbo and see if there's any slop on the compressor shaft. If there's the slightest sideways movement you've found the cause of the smoke. Replacing a CHRA cartridge is relatively cheap and easy. A DIY job if you do your own servicing.

TC

good_mojo · 5th February 2017, 17:40

As T-Cut has said, your first port of call should be to check for play in the turbo impeller. This thread may help if you need to change the CHRA.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=221730

If the turbo is OK then see if you can borrow a compression tester. The compression figures should be similar for each cylinder. If one is low, put a little oil in when you check again. If the pressure has gone up significantly it indicates the rings are shot. If not, then the valves need attention.

sworks · 5th February 2017, 17:48

Another vote for the turbo

minimutly · 5th February 2017, 19:59

Don't know about the turbo, but the mechanics theory about skimming causing the rings to fail is utter tosh - don't believe it for a minute.

marinabrian · 5th February 2017, 20:02

It is almost certainly the turbocharger, change your garage to a one who can diagnose faults correctly.......piston rings? I'm willing to bet the smoke is mainly white, and smells like you are running your car on high sulphur coal

By the way clapped oil control rings on a K series, is something I have encountered once in over five hundred engine rebuilds

Brian

Rooney · 5th February 2017, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by minimutly

Don't know about the turbo, but the mechanics theory about skimming causing the rings to fail is utter tosh - don't believe it for a minute.

Indeed - complete tosh

That's the sort of waffle the mechanic who bodged my problem child came out with

wildie1972 · 5th February 2017, 20:39

I had same smoke from my 1.8t and it was the turbo. I changed the core gave it an oil change and took it up and down the bypass several times and it was fine. You may end up cleaning out all the pipework and intercooler too if it's failed.

Number 6 · 5th February 2017, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDC

Hi
I had my head gasket change 3 months ago and it has started smoking really bad. I took it back and he reports the piston rings must have gone due to the head being skimmed and it has more compression so it would be the next thing to go. I had the AA out and he suggested that it could be the valve seals, but my mechanic said no it looks like the piston rings. Is he just fobbing me off, cause it's still under guarantee. At first the smoke was on start up and went after 5 minutes, but now it just smokes continuously, less when it gets work but still really bad can you help.

As well as has been said regarding the turbo,I would find your self another Mechanic

mh007 · 5th February 2017, 20:53

I'd also agree with turbo.
As said, absolute rubbish with regards to piston ring issue caused by skimming the head therefore raising compression!
Change mechanic as suggested.

5th February 2017, 12:40	#1
SDC Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Abbey Wood Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Rover 75 18T 03 plate smoking after head gasket change Hi I had my head gasket change 3 months ago and it has started smoking really bad. I took it back and he reports the piston rings must have gone due to the head being skimmed and it has more compression so it would be the next thing to go. I had the AA out and he suggested that it could be the valve seals, but my mechanic said no it looks like the piston rings. Is he just fobbing me off, cause it's still under guarantee. At first the smoke was on start up and went after 5 minutes, but now it just smokes continuously, less when it gets work but still really bad can you help.

5th February 2017, 17:40	#3
good_mojo Loves to post Facelift Rover 75 Classic CDT auto and Connoisseur SE 1.8T Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ferryhill Posts: 399 Thanks: 113 Thanked 110 Times in 83 Posts	checks As T-Cut has said, your first port of call should be to check for play in the turbo impeller. This thread may help if you need to change the CHRA. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=221730 If the turbo is OK then see if you can borrow a compression tester. The compression figures should be similar for each cylinder. If one is low, put a little oil in when you check again. If the pressure has gone up significantly it indicates the rings are shot. If not, then the valves need attention.

5th February 2017, 17:48	#4
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	Another vote for the turbo __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

5th February 2017, 13:13	#2
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	The first thing to suffer after a head gasket failure allows coolant into the oil is the turbocharger. I suspect the turbo bearings may have failed and is allowing oil into the exhaust system. Rather than jump in with the very expensive piston rings theory (which is rather far fetched IMO), I'd remove the large bore inlet air hose on the turbo and see if there's any slop on the compressor shaft. If there's the slightest sideways movement you've found the cause of the smoke. Replacing a CHRA cartridge is relatively cheap and easy. A DIY job if you do your own servicing. TC

5th February 2017, 19:59	#5
minimutly Posted a thing or two mg zt Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: cardigan Posts: 1,087 Thanks: 28 Thanked 187 Times in 158 Posts	Don't know about the turbo, but the mechanics theory about skimming causing the rings to fail is utter tosh - don't believe it for a minute.

5th February 2017, 20:02	#6
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	It is almost certainly the turbocharger, change your garage to a one who can diagnose faults correctly.......piston rings? I'm willing to bet the smoke is mainly white, and smells like you are running your car on high sulphur coal By the way clapped oil control rings on a K series, is something I have encountered once in over five hundred engine rebuilds Brian

5th February 2017, 20:39	#8
wildie1972 Regular poster MG ZT 1.8 turbo+ Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: keighley Posts: 85 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	I had same smoke from my 1.8t and it was the turbo. I changed the core gave it an oil change and took it up and down the bypass several times and it was fine. You may end up cleaning out all the pipework and intercooler too if it's failed.

5th February 2017, 20:53	#10
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	I'd also agree with turbo. As said, absolute rubbish with regards to piston ring issue caused by skimming the head therefore raising compression! Change mechanic as suggested.