Rover 75 2.5 V6 Con water leak question

[Snarfz]

Hello all,

I just got my new Rover 75 2002 from my dad about a month ago since he wasn't using it. I'm not very technical when it comes to cars, hopefully you guys can help me.

So after using it for a few weeks my water temp on the board was showing red. I opened up the hood and saw that the coolant tank was empty. I filled it up but it got emptied right away. Then i stuck my finger in and could feel that there was a hole in the plastic tube just under the radiator coolant tank.

So since I'm not very technical I thought I'd bring it to a mechanic to change the tube. After a day they called and said that there is an issue with the thermostat which caused pressure to then breaking the tube. This without opening anything in the car.

I asked them just to change the plastic tube and they are charging 700 euros for the service, says it would take 2 days just to open/close up the car to change the tube, since they would have to go into the motor and that there is no way to repair it since it's plastic, would have to be changed for a new.

I'm just wondering if this pricing/time is normal or if there is any other way to solve this (speaking about just the tube), they said it would almost be the same price to change the thermostat as well.

Thank you in advance for any advice, be reminded I know little of older cars

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Snarfz

... there was a hole in the plastic tube just under the radiator coolant tank.

I'm confused Franz. Is your garage talking about the outlet at the bottom of the expansion tank? Or the rubber hose which normally has a plastic bleed screw in it? Or are they talking about the plastic straight pipe in the engine 'V'?
I need clarification Franz, preferably a photograph.

Originally Posted by Snarfz

I asked them just to change the plastic tube and they are charging 700 euros ... I'm just wondering if this pricing/time is normal ...

If it's the plastic pipe in the 'V' then a lot of dismantling is needed to reach it so the labour charge will be high.
It's very unlikely that the thermostat has caused this.

Simon

[Snarfz]

Hi Simon,

Thank you for the fast answer, and sorry for the confusion.

When I stopped the car I was stuck in the middle of the road and brought it directly to the garage, unfortunately couldn't open it up or take any photos. But after sticking my hand in i could feel that there was a hole in the tube just at the entrance of the cooling tank.

The issue is I don't really know where it goes, couldn't see much. But yeah it's the tube that enters the cooling tank underneath.

(tried to upload a photo here but doesn't seem to work, here's a link to the image)

https://imgur.com/a/jwF1Mgc

[SD1too]

Thank you for the photo Franz.

I have never known a problem with the expansion tank outlet before. I recommend that you travel to your garage to see the problem for yourself. I have checked two main UK parts suppliers and the expansion tank appears to be unavailable new.

Originally Posted by Snarfz

... they called and said that there is an issue with the thermostat which caused pressure to then breaking the tube ...
I asked them just to change the plastic tube and they are charging 700 euros for the service, says it would take 2 days just to open/close up the car ...

This is complete nonsense.
Regarding the €700, it's one screw and a hose clip to remove the expansion tank.

Simon

[Snarfz]

Hello again Simon,

I will go there and get some photos.

It’s not the tank it self that’s the issue, but the tube that connects underneath the tank, where i circled on the photo. The tank is ok, but the tube will have to be changed/repaired. But I don’t know where the tube leads and how hard it is to change, according to them its a 2 day job.

Thanks,
Franz

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Snarfz

The tank is ok, but the tube will have to be changed/repaired. But I don’t know where the tube leads and how hard it is to change, according to them its a 2 day job.

Hi Franz,

The hose from the expansion tank outlet is a 'T' shape connecting to the heater return hose and the thermostat housing. It is not a 2 day job to change it.

I think there's been a misunderstanding between you and the garage.

Simon

[Snarfz]

Hello,

You got it, that's the hose I'm talking about.

That's literally the hose I asked to be changed and they said they would have to dismantle the whole thing just to replace that hose, they said it would be the same work as to change the thermostat.

That's why I came here to ask if it's really that difficult to change, i think they are probably trying to rip me off.

Thank you,

[Matt_75]

This is the hose that connects to the Expansion Tank outlet (see white arrow):



I'd have thought that a professional mechanic should be able to change this, the thermostat and bleed the cooling system in 1 day, probably less.

[SD1too]

Thanks for your photo Matt which is proving very useful!

Franz; for easy access your mechanic should remove the manifold chamber which admittedly is a bit daunting if he hasn't done it before, but as Matt suggests it's half a day's work so nowhere near €700!

Don't let him change the thermostat! Unless you have coolant in the 'V' there will be nothing wrong with it and it's best not to disturb the original for as long as you can.

Simon

[Snarfz]

Hi Matt and Simon,

Thanks for the photo and insight.

You have helped a lot, you answered exactly what I was wondering about, I will go to the garage today to sort this out.

Gladly it was not as bad as they seem to paint it as.

Franz