Rover 75 2.0 V6 Tourer, 2001 manual

Osborne · 15th May 2018, 14:32

Hi, I have had my car for about three weeks and really enjoy driving it. However there has been an ongoing issue with a 'hot coolant' smell when in traffic. I have driven it with the diagnostic temperature gauge showing that the fan kicks in at 100 and quickly brings the temp back to 94 but it soon goes back up. No problem on ordinary driving just slow heavy traffic of which there is plenty here in Christchurch.
I took the engine cover off and noticed that there is a small amount of coolant lying between the cylinder banks but it has hardly used any since I have had it.
Can anyone advise as to a sensible strategy for checking the various places where common leakages occur and how easy is it to remove all the fuel, electrical pipes and cables obscuring the area.

Any other help welcomed.
And thanks to T Cut for previous advice

Dorset Bob · 15th May 2018, 17:20

I am glad to see another Dorset member!

A common place for the KV6 engine to leak coolant is from the thermostat.
That is in the area that you have noticed the coolant, in between the cylinder banks.
So, it seems likely that this is the culprit.

Osborne · 15th May 2018, 21:41

Thanks Dorset Bob, I had a very nice drive over Cranborne Chase recently! I will check the thermostat housing and have a good look. It would be great to get this sorted

T-Cut · 16th May 2018, 13:47

This is worth a read: https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=223721
I believe you can get the oring seals from Forum Traders/DMGRS or their eBay shops.

TC

Osborne · 16th May 2018, 18:00

Thanks T Cut for the link and an interesting read. My service history does not mention a thermostat replacement so I am going to have a look this weekend and suspect I will change the whole kit.
The Haynes manual seems to describe the job as relatively simple so I am happy to do it.
Thanks again and I must say this is a brilliant forum

Lord of Hog · 17th May 2018, 07:30

There seem to be two camps on here when it comes to replacing the KV6 thermostat: the ones who swear by the "keyhole" method and the ones like me who swear AT it and prefer to go round the houses removing the injector rail and LH inlet manifold. It would be interesting to see which you end up happiest with.

Osborne · 21st May 2018, 17:22

I have not seen any of the 'key hole' descriptions so I guess I will take the long way round!
Is there any more information available as to which anti freeze to refill with? Quite confusing for a newbie!

Dorset Bob · 21st May 2018, 18:20

There is a "How To" on the keyhole method here

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=129909

The original standard fill, on these engines, for the antifreeze, was OAT (pink stuff).

Osborne · 30th May 2018, 18:24

Thanks to T Cut and Dorset Bob for the info on replacement with both methods. I have ordered the parts and will decide which method to use. Probably the long way round as I want to replace the spark plugs at the same time!

TomRS · 31st May 2018, 09:03

Speaking from doing it not that long ago.... i'd say go for it by removing everything and having the access.
Inlet and stuff is not hard to remove with some patience and a cuppa, it means you can clean the V.
Make sure your knock sensors are working fine and much easier to attach the new plastic pipes etc with it all removed.
My missus replaced her's on her ZT about 2 months ago... runs perfect now! we got a reinforced stat kit from DMGRS.
She's also from Bournemouth haha!

We also did the plugs and temp sensor as well!

15th May 2018, 14:32	#1
Osborne Newbie Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 17 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Rover 75 2.0 V6 Tourer, 2001 manual Hi, I have had my car for about three weeks and really enjoy driving it. However there has been an ongoing issue with a 'hot coolant' smell when in traffic. I have driven it with the diagnostic temperature gauge showing that the fan kicks in at 100 and quickly brings the temp back to 94 but it soon goes back up. No problem on ordinary driving just slow heavy traffic of which there is plenty here in Christchurch. I took the engine cover off and noticed that there is a small amount of coolant lying between the cylinder banks but it has hardly used any since I have had it. Can anyone advise as to a sensible strategy for checking the various places where common leakages occur and how easy is it to remove all the fuel, electrical pipes and cables obscuring the area. Any other help welcomed. And thanks to T Cut for previous advice

15th May 2018, 17:20	#2
Dorset Bob Senior Citizen Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur SE,Chrysler 300C,124 Spider, Daytona 955i,Honda XL250 & Royal Enfield 650GT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Kingdom of Wessex Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 2,391 Thanked 2,685 Times in 1,686 Posts	I am glad to see another Dorset member! A common place for the KV6 engine to leak coolant is from the thermostat. That is in the area that you have noticed the coolant, in between the cylinder banks. So, it seems likely that this is the culprit. __________________ Let the good times roll............

16th May 2018, 18:00	#5
Osborne Newbie Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 17 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thermostat housing o rings Thanks T Cut for the link and an interesting read. My service history does not mention a thermostat replacement so I am going to have a look this weekend and suspect I will change the whole kit. The Haynes manual seems to describe the job as relatively simple so I am happy to do it. Thanks again and I must say this is a brilliant forum

17th May 2018, 07:30	#6
Lord of Hog Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 in Wedgwood Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Felbridge, East Grinstead Posts: 982 Thanks: 250 Thanked 294 Times in 206 Posts	There seem to be two camps on here when it comes to replacing the KV6 thermostat: the ones who swear by the "keyhole" method and the ones like me who swear AT it and prefer to go round the houses removing the injector rail and LH inlet manifold. It would be interesting to see which you end up happiest with. __________________ Conformity is not morality. Consensus is not truth.

21st May 2018, 18:20	#8
Dorset Bob Senior Citizen Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur SE,Chrysler 300C,124 Spider, Daytona 955i,Honda XL250 & Royal Enfield 650GT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Kingdom of Wessex Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 2,391 Thanked 2,685 Times in 1,686 Posts	There is a "How To" on the keyhole method here https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=129909 The original standard fill, on these engines, for the antifreeze, was OAT (pink stuff). __________________ Let the good times roll............ Last edited by Dorset Bob; 21st May 2018 at 20:50..

15th May 2018, 21:41	#3
Osborne Newbie Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 17 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Dorset Bob, I had a very nice drive over Cranborne Chase recently! I will check the thermostat housing and have a good look. It would be great to get this sorted

16th May 2018, 13:47	#4
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	This is worth a read: https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=223721 I believe you can get the oring seals from Forum Traders/DMGRS or their eBay shops. TC

21st May 2018, 17:22	#7
Osborne Newbie Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 17 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I have not seen any of the 'key hole' descriptions so I guess I will take the long way round! Is there any more information available as to which anti freeze to refill with? Quite confusing for a newbie!

30th May 2018, 18:24	#9
Osborne Newbie Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 17 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	2.0 V6 thermostat housing replacement Thanks to T Cut and Dorset Bob for the info on replacement with both methods. I have ordered the parts and will decide which method to use. Probably the long way round as I want to replace the spark plugs at the same time!

31st May 2018, 09:03	#10
TomRS Posted a thing or two Mk1 ZT 190 - Mk2 ZS 180 - Mercedes E63 AMG S - Ford Ranger Hawk Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Middlesbrough Posts: 1,456 Thanks: 123 Thanked 409 Times in 281 Posts	Speaking from doing it not that long ago.... i'd say go for it by removing everything and having the access. Inlet and stuff is not hard to remove with some patience and a cuppa, it means you can clean the V. Make sure your knock sensors are working fine and much easier to attach the new plastic pipes etc with it all removed. My missus replaced her's on her ZT about 2 months ago... runs perfect now! we got a reinforced stat kit from DMGRS. She's also from Bournemouth haha! We also did the plugs and temp sensor as well! __________________ http://i66.tinypic.com/5cd6xj.jpg