Rover 75 engine seizure

supersnad · 8th March 2015, 16:13

Just an update about my Rover75 1.8 petrol car with the seized engine.It looks like it's something internal,rather than the obvious ,cambelt and starter motor.I put it up for sale for spares or repair on Gumtree at £275 but had no takers.I'm presently driving my son's Vectra,and my Rover is sitting in the car park looking immaculate as usual, and i don't know how i'm going to get rid of it,as i've been driving all types of cars for 50 years now,but this is the first car i fallen in love with.
I might be able to get a mechanic ,who my son knows very well and has done a lot of welding work for him, to strip it down just to find out if it can be saved.Fingers crossed.
What is it with these Rover 75s that have that effect on you?
Brian

KWIL · 8th March 2015, 16:19

Engine transplant should solve your problem, some help this guy to save his beloved!!

Doc Evil · 8th March 2015, 16:35

Hi Engines go for £100-200 from scrapyard, not much more for a known runner from one of the forum trader's and a day to swap including changing the belts and water pump I'm sure you will get some volunteers to help you

Doc

minimutly · 8th March 2015, 17:21

Yes by all means strip the engine to asses spares suitability, but don't waste any money on it. Look for an engine with known history of not being overheated.
Fit new belt, water pump and stat, and pop her in, cheapest option if your car is a good un.
Huw

SD1too · 8th March 2015, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersnad

I might be able to get a mechanic ... to strip it down just to find out if it can be saved.

I agree Brian. See if you can repair your original engine first. It's as well to remember that the 'second-hand engine' route is fraught with danger. You hear the phrases "known runner" and "known history". Well, known to whom? Certainly not to you, unless you've been able to drive a car containing that engine and inspect it fully which is very unlikely. No, what is meant is that the seller has told you this. How do you know that this is the truth?

I've just read the details of your engine problem Brian, and it's not a proven seizure is it. The prime suspects appear to be cambelt or a camshaft. As it's not very difficult to have a look at those you should definitely do as you suggest. Often things turn out to be not as bad as first imagined.

Simon

Saga Lout · 8th March 2015, 20:22

You are sat with the most wonderful car you will ever drive and it might need an engine...What do you think you can get to replace your car for the cost of the engine swap? a rusty old Ford, a rattling Vauxhall or some cheap Korean junk?
You own a car that would have been £20,000 and has lost value quickly, it has not and will never lose it's class in the motoring world, buy a good engine or have yours mended, it makes perfect sense because you do not own a banger, you own something that others will never understand because they don't get what it is to own a 75/ZT.

marinabrian · 8th March 2015, 20:45

I would venture Cossie Dunc could source (if he doesn't already have one) and fit an engine at a reasonable price.

Just a thought mind, I'm not too good advising with things like this, as I do all of my own repairs.

Brian

minimutly · 8th March 2015, 22:27

Seems to be a lot of "talking" on here and nota lot of taking things apart to check what's wrong. Talk away, this won't fix it...
Ok, being harsh. But hopefully you get my point.
For what it's worth, it certainly sounds like it wasn't overheated, and my money would be on a semi freezing coolant, causing the cam timing to jump, hence bent valves ( possibly broken, piston damage). Btdt...
The good news is, if this is the case, the engine can be fixed without removing it, even the head can possible be repaired, but not guaranteed.
So, GET THE HEAD OFF.
2 hours work, surely worth it?

beinet1 · 9th March 2015, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by minimutly

Seems to be a lot of "talking" on here and nota lot of taking things apart to check what's wrong. Talk away, this won't fix it...
Ok, being harsh. But hopefully you get my point.
For what it's worth, it certainly sounds like it wasn't overheated, and my money would be on a semi freezing coolant, causing the cam timing to jump, hence bent valves ( possibly broken, piston damage). Btdt...
The good news is, if this is the case, the engine can be fixed without removing it, even the head can possible be repaired, but not guaranteed.
So, GET THE HEAD OFF.
2 hours work, surely worth it?

Agree to this one!

Basically, you can put the engine to pieces in situ except for the crankshaft and crank ladder with the main bearings.

So, get the cylinder head off and sump dropped. That will reveal a lot I think.

You migth fins some usefull information here in my old thread: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=406154

8th March 2015, 16:13	#1
supersnad Regular poster Rover 75 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: stewarton kilmarnock Posts: 55 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Rover 75 engine seizure Just an update about my Rover75 1.8 petrol car with the seized engine.It looks like it's something internal,rather than the obvious ,cambelt and starter motor.I put it up for sale for spares or repair on Gumtree at £275 but had no takers.I'm presently driving my son's Vectra,and my Rover is sitting in the car park looking immaculate as usual, and i don't know how i'm going to get rid of it,as i've been driving all types of cars for 50 years now,but this is the first car i fallen in love with. I might be able to get a mechanic ,who my son knows very well and has done a lot of welding work for him, to strip it down just to find out if it can be saved.Fingers crossed. What is it with these Rover 75s that have that effect on you? Brian

8th March 2015, 16:35	#3
Doc Evil Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8 Classic Saloon Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Newton Abbot Posts: 823 Thanks: 46 Thanked 175 Times in 144 Posts	Hi Engines go for £100-200 from scrapyard, not much more for a known runner from one of the forum trader's and a day to swap including changing the belts and water pump I'm sure you will get some volunteers to help you Doc __________________ NOT EVIL REALLY BUT REALLY A DOC

8th March 2015, 20:22	#6
Saga Lout This is my second home MG ZT and Rover 75, Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Wigan Posts: 3,276 Thanks: 2,556 Thanked 2,685 Times in 1,037 Posts	But... You are sat with the most wonderful car you will ever drive and it might need an engine...What do you think you can get to replace your car for the cost of the engine swap? a rusty old Ford, a rattling Vauxhall or some cheap Korean junk? You own a car that would have been £20,000 and has lost value quickly, it has not and will never lose it's class in the motoring world, buy a good engine or have yours mended, it makes perfect sense because you do not own a banger, you own something that others will never understand because they don't get what it is to own a 75/ZT.

8th March 2015, 16:19	#2
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,973 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	Engine transplant should solve your problem, some help this guy to save his beloved!!

8th March 2015, 17:21	#4
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	Yes by all means strip the engine to asses spares suitability, but don't waste any money on it. Look for an engine with known history of not being overheated. Fit new belt, water pump and stat, and pop her in, cheapest option if your car is a good un. Huw

8th March 2015, 20:45	#7
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	I would venture Cossie Dunc could source (if he doesn't already have one) and fit an engine at a reasonable price. Just a thought mind, I'm not too good advising with things like this, as I do all of my own repairs. Brian

8th March 2015, 22:27	#8
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	Seems to be a lot of "talking" on here and nota lot of taking things apart to check what's wrong. Talk away, this won't fix it... Ok, being harsh. But hopefully you get my point. For what it's worth, it certainly sounds like it wasn't overheated, and my money would be on a semi freezing coolant, causing the cam timing to jump, hence bent valves ( possibly broken, piston damage). Btdt... The good news is, if this is the case, the engine can be fixed without removing it, even the head can possible be repaired, but not guaranteed. So, GET THE HEAD OFF. 2 hours work, surely worth it?