Pros: They are cheap to buy, good chassis, zippy engine. Cons: A lot of engines blow head gaskets too easily and prematurely. The last one I've seen failed at 43 000kms, 5 years old. Show me a Japper with the same age, mileage and fault.
socram,
Jul 13, 11:00am
Would you like to see my stepson's Toyotta Surf!He got totally disillusioned with it after cylinder head problems (twice). Oh, sorry, you can't see it, as he managed to flick it on after the second repair.He was so glad to see the back of it.
hornnett,
Jul 13, 3:48pm
So was it you that did the work!as poor workmanship is unusual from you as you are so knowledgeable. Opps sorry I see that you brought a Mitsubishi as well ,so you want to improve your mechanical skills by buying rubbish!
mugenb20b,
Jul 13, 4:10pm
And.how old was this Surf at the time when it cracked the head! How many k's has it done! And I'll bet your stepson didn't get the radiator rodded out the first time and / or failed to check the water pump, thermostat and viscous fan.
In the last 18 months I've replaced 7 Toyota L series diesel heads, yes, 7. None came back, all had over 200 000kms on the clock, one had 964 000. 1 failed due to a stuck thermostat, 2 failed due to externally blocked radiators, 2 failed due to internally blocked radiators, 1 failed due to a faulty viscous fan and the 900k Hiace head failed because it lost its coolant. In fact, I'm now working on the 8th one, but this time, the head's OK, but number two liner is cracked letting water into the cylinder (303k).
And have a guess what! Outlaying $2000 on a head job is OK on Toyota Surfs, Hiluxes and Hiaces. You know why! Because they are still worth lots of money, unlike $500 1997 Rovers.
mgmad,
Jul 13, 4:41pm
But do you apply the same logic when doing a Rover K series! Most don't, so when the HG hasn't been the cause of the overheating (ie in about 95% of cases) and the original problem hasn't been rectified, it inevitably causes more problems. If more mechanics applied the same logic to fixing the K series as they do any other engine which is getting warm, they'd be a lot less people complaining.
For what it's worth: Mum's 97 Rover 200 - 300,000km no head gasket problems Dad's 96 MGF - 170,000 km, no head gasket problems Wife's 98 MGF - 150,000 km, no head gasket problems I could go on
andrewph,
Jul 13, 5:05pm
RUN NOW dont look back.
zak1998,
Jul 14, 7:46pm
The company went bust because they made crap
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