[bigrich]

Hi all,

Noticed a few weeks ago after the car was parked up in the garage for 24hrs a 10p sized blob of coolant on the floor under the engine!

AARRGHHH - Head Gasket!

I reckoned the worst, but then thought about it sensibly.

Compression check = good
Plugs = look fine
Misfire = no
Oil in water = no
Mayo on oil filler = no
Performance = still smiling!

....so started looking through web forums for a clue.

Turns out that early 1.6K series units with the plastic inlet manifolds had an inferior inlet manifold gasket material (black)....the gasket seeps and allows water to pass by it.

I checked the engine again and the water that I had seen tracking round the head joint was infact running down from the inlet manifold...and it has a black gasket!

...so I reckon Head Gasket fine (fortunately)...and £25 later I've bought a new Rover inlet manifold gasket (you need the green one) and new studs and locking nuts to fit it (instead of the set screws used originally)

All being well I should be doing the job this Saturday....so I'll let you know how I get on.

Rich