How can a thing of such beauty be a huge pile of junk

Bodger24 · 21st March 2014, 18:16

This is truly the worst car I have ever owned in my life. I looks gorgeous, it is comfortable to sit in, but that is the biggest problem - a lot of time is spent sitting in the damn thing because it is incapable of going anywhere.

9 months now and endless problems with the engine & cooling system. In fact I had to have a reconditioned engine fitted in January after the last one dumped all of its coolant and cooked the engine.

The last two weeks have been bliss. Not a drop of coolant lost until today. A short 6 mile journey, noticed steam from the bonnet at traffic lights, pulled in to find coolant pouring out of expansion tank cap. Waited for it to cool, topped up and did the return journey with no loss.
Later in the day on another local journey I got caught in a little bit of traffic and hey presto! Doing a pretty good impression of the Flying Scotsman! This time not coming from the cap but still plenty of steam from somewhere.
The heap had lost 2 litres from somewhere.

If I hadn't spent so much trying to get the thing right I would gladly put a match to it!! My Lada Estate was ultra reliable in comparison, and my Vectra was a positive supercar.

I really think that I need to end the nightmare and part company with Rover. I am even considering a Nissan Micra!!

mh007 · 21st March 2014, 18:21

Have you checked the cooling fan is operating properly ?

If you have coolant coming out of the cap, are the seals ok ?
(I realise it may have released coolant due to excessive pressure but it's worth checking)

Bodger24 · 21st March 2014, 18:32

It was a new cap 2 weeks ago, henceforth the couple of weeks with no loss. When I have tried to bleed the system It has never got to the stage when the fan kicks in as it should according to the MG Rover technical bulletin. But the fan does work on Auto & Demist settings. It surely is not rocket science to make a waterproof cooling system on a car, even my 1969 Series 2A Landrover never lost a drop. I have to check this thing sometimes twice a day I am so paranoid

steveo · 21st March 2014, 18:36

Hi
Thermostat
Prt or normal

IMHO first place to start
I would also installed one that opens at 82 degrees

Speaking from experience (previous car 1.8t)
Been there and got 20 tee shirts
Regards
Steve

eumjmorris · 21st March 2014, 18:50

but you dont seem to tell us which engine?

Bodger24 · 21st March 2014, 18:54

No idea what thermostat is fitted to be honest, how could I find out? All the advice given in the forums says that if the coolant is checked regularly, which I do as I say virtually every morning, the 1.8 a reliable engine! I have known more reliable polititions!

chipsceola · 21st March 2014, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodger24

No idea what thermostat is fitted to be honest, how could I find out? All the advice given in the forums says that if the coolant is checked regularly, which I do as I say virtually every morning, the 1.8 a reliable engine! I have known more reliable polititions!

The later PRT thermostat was fitted from around mid 2003, earlier cars had a standard stat fitted at rear of engine. The PRT is visible below the radiator on your right as you look at front of engine, the actual stat is contained in the white bit as shown here:

See DMGRS for replacement stats, standard is shown K-series engine parts page 1, PRT type page 2

neilbaker86 · 21st March 2014, 19:19

The 1.8 is a reliable engine, with respect, you can replace an engine as many times as you like, but if a fault exists elsewhere which is causing it to overheat, such as a faulty thermostat, it will damage that one too.

The PRT thermostat would be at the bottom of the engine bay just in front of the gearbox, you should be able to see it with a torch from the top, alternatively you'd need to take the under-tray off, which provides easy access to it.

Another common issue is that mechanics end up fitting two thermostats, because they aren't aware of the PRT. So if you have a PRT, ideally you need to drain the coolant and check to see if someone has installed the standard thermostat in the housing behind the engine, under the inlet manifold. If you have the PRT, you MUST NOT have the original type fitted as well.

I'm sure another member will be along shortly with more advice, or even a trader who may be able to help you with getting it sorted properly.

The PRT is the biege coloured item in the photograph below, it will have three hoses going to it. The colour should denote the operating temperature, they are usually biege, some are black.

kaiser · 21st March 2014, 19:33

I really don't see any problems even if you have two thermostats in the system, provided they work. It obviously does not make any sense to have two units, but it should not lead to overheating.

there are a couple of things that can do that, and they are:

1 lack of coolant
2 faulty fan
3 head gasket failure
4 stuck closed thermostat
5 faulty water pump (impeller loose on shaft or worn)

that, of the top of my head will cause overheating.
The problem is, which one have you got.?

My guess is lack of coolant. I would drive with the screen showing the engine temperature. T-cut has given a how to on that issue.

And you are right, the 1.8 is not a reliable engine. TOYOTA make those. But the 1.8 can be made tolerably reliable. However, you can never, ever turn your back on it, or it might attack you from behind. So enter the ring with a whip and a chair, and you might be able to live with it! But that is about it!

Bodger24 · 21st March 2014, 19:34

Thanks for that, it certainly gives me food for thought. I will have a look tomorrow. I just can't understand how the fault is so erratic, sometimes it loses coolant, sometimes it doesn't. I have always took care of my cars, I don't thrash them about, I am no mechanic but I have them regularly serviced. This was my dream car, I always wanted one from the first time I saw one. It has been such a demoralising experience.

21st March 2014, 18:16	#1
Bodger24 Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Bewdley Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	How can a thing of such beauty be a huge pile of junk This is truly the worst car I have ever owned in my life. I looks gorgeous, it is comfortable to sit in, but that is the biggest problem - a lot of time is spent sitting in the damn thing because it is incapable of going anywhere. 9 months now and endless problems with the engine & cooling system. In fact I had to have a reconditioned engine fitted in January after the last one dumped all of its coolant and cooked the engine. The last two weeks have been bliss. Not a drop of coolant lost until today. A short 6 mile journey, noticed steam from the bonnet at traffic lights, pulled in to find coolant pouring out of expansion tank cap. Waited for it to cool, topped up and did the return journey with no loss. Later in the day on another local journey I got caught in a little bit of traffic and hey presto! Doing a pretty good impression of the Flying Scotsman! This time not coming from the cap but still plenty of steam from somewhere. The heap had lost 2 litres from somewhere. If I hadn't spent so much trying to get the thing right I would gladly put a match to it!! My Lada Estate was ultra reliable in comparison, and my Vectra was a positive supercar. I really think that I need to end the nightmare and part company with Rover. I am even considering a Nissan Micra!!

21st March 2014, 18:36	#4
steveo I really should get out more....... None Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: N/a Posts: 2,108 Thanks: 1,369 Thanked 551 Times in 386 Posts	Over heating Hi Thermostat Prt or normal IMHO first place to start I would also installed one that opens at 82 degrees Speaking from experience (previous car 1.8t) Been there and got 20 tee shirts Regards Steve

21st March 2014, 18:21	#2
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	Have you checked the cooling fan is operating properly ? If you have coolant coming out of the cap, are the seals ok ? (I realise it may have released coolant due to excessive pressure but it's worth checking)

21st March 2014, 18:32	#3
Bodger24 Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Bewdley Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	It was a new cap 2 weeks ago, henceforth the couple of weeks with no loss. When I have tried to bleed the system It has never got to the stage when the fan kicks in as it should according to the MG Rover technical bulletin. But the fan does work on Auto & Demist settings. It surely is not rocket science to make a waterproof cooling system on a car, even my 1969 Series 2A Landrover never lost a drop. I have to check this thing sometimes twice a day I am so paranoid

21st March 2014, 18:50	#5
eumjmorris Loves to post R75 now just two diesel tourers Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Droitwich Posts: 399 Thanks: 479 Thanked 72 Times in 46 Posts	but you dont seem to tell us which engine?

21st March 2014, 18:54	#6
Bodger24 Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Bewdley Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	No idea what thermostat is fitted to be honest, how could I find out? All the advice given in the forums says that if the coolant is checked regularly, which I do as I say virtually every morning, the 1.8 a reliable engine! I have known more reliable polititions!

21st March 2014, 19:19	#8
neilbaker86 Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 847 Thanks: 124 Thanked 312 Times in 147 Posts	The 1.8 is a reliable engine, with respect, you can replace an engine as many times as you like, but if a fault exists elsewhere which is causing it to overheat, such as a faulty thermostat, it will damage that one too. The PRT thermostat would be at the bottom of the engine bay just in front of the gearbox, you should be able to see it with a torch from the top, alternatively you'd need to take the under-tray off, which provides easy access to it. Another common issue is that mechanics end up fitting two thermostats, because they aren't aware of the PRT. So if you have a PRT, ideally you need to drain the coolant and check to see if someone has installed the standard thermostat in the housing behind the engine, under the inlet manifold. If you have the PRT, you MUST NOT have the original type fitted as well. I'm sure another member will be along shortly with more advice, or even a trader who may be able to help you with getting it sorted properly. The PRT is the biege coloured item in the photograph below, it will have three hoses going to it. The colour should denote the operating temperature, they are usually biege, some are black.

21st March 2014, 19:33	#9
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	I really don't see any problems even if you have two thermostats in the system, provided they work. It obviously does not make any sense to have two units, but it should not lead to overheating. there are a couple of things that can do that, and they are: 1 lack of coolant 2 faulty fan 3 head gasket failure 4 stuck closed thermostat 5 faulty water pump (impeller loose on shaft or worn) that, of the top of my head will cause overheating. The problem is, which one have you got.? My guess is lack of coolant. I would drive with the screen showing the engine temperature. T-cut has given a how to on that issue. And you are right, the 1.8 is not a reliable engine. TOYOTA make those. But the 1.8 can be made tolerably reliable. However, you can never, ever turn your back on it, or it might attack you from behind. So enter the ring with a whip and a chair, and you might be able to live with it! But that is about it!

21st March 2014, 19:34	#10
Bodger24 Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Bewdley Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks for that, it certainly gives me food for thought. I will have a look tomorrow. I just can't understand how the fault is so erratic, sometimes it loses coolant, sometimes it doesn't. I have always took care of my cars, I don't thrash them about, I am no mechanic but I have them regularly serviced. This was my dream car, I always wanted one from the first time I saw one. It has been such a demoralising experience.