MG ZR Head Gasket

[SambaS]

 

As you all know it died of cataclysmic head gasket fail last year.

 

I did promise the car I was going to look after it after I pulled it out of the scrapyard. I took a punt at MOTing it and it flew through needing a headlight bulb only. But then I must be realistic.

 

MOT: July 8th 2013

TAX: SORN

Owners: 7

Engine Size: 1396cc

BHP: 105

Year: 2002

Colour: Black (although they call it grey)

 

I'm not in a desperate hurry to sell it, if it doesn't sell I may well get round to fixing it but I'm sure you can imagine with 8 cars all demanding rather a lot of attention: something has to give.

 

The car is £250 and will need collecting from North Yorkshire.

 

I though I'd offer it on here first, as maybe it has the best chances of finding someone to fix the OMG HGF KHAOS.

 

Failing that it will be making an appearance on the bay.

 

Thanks guys, I hope it will find a kind owner to look after it!

 

Edd

[red5]

'Fixing' it?

 

What does it need?

 

Sam

[Albert Ross]

OMGHGF so factor in head skim/replace if cracked, shim gasket set, cambelt kit, headbolts, thermostat, antifreeze, possibly a set of plugs because of the time standing in moisture, oil and filter, RFL, that kind of thing. I'd be up for it myself if it was in three months time.... My Niece will be looking for a replacement for her 106 and this looks ideal...

[Charlie Croker]

I may do as it happens. Its the guy who took mine so he now has two so i'm not sure if he will want another. I will ask him........oh is the 250 bucks firm? I'm not being cheeky buddy it's just he can squeak when he walks if you know what i mean.lol.

[SambaS]

Yeah it's £250 or I'll mend it myself, I've just put all the equipment I need into my watch list, including a little cam lock tool

[Station]

You don't need a cam locking tool, keep the spark plugs in. I've got one and didn't need to use it. All the bits will equal £150 thereabouts.

[Bobthebeard]

Am tempted. Oddly. The repairs dont pose a problem. Apart from the OMGHGF is it fairly ok? I realise it is cheap, but moving it from there to here will be £££s etc. Is it generally ok? Bodywork ok etc?

Ta!

[SambaS]

the driver door has damage where it has opened back too far into the wing, there's a scrape on the passenger side but not too bad, i'll try get some more pictures of it

[Morgan84]

From what I understand,with the 'improved' type of headgasket now available for the Kettle Series engine,once fitted,its more or less a never worry about it again type of repair,and takes away the uncertainty of the original design gasket

[Cavcraft]

Am tempted. Oddly. The repairs dont pose a problem. Apart from the OMGHGF is it fairly ok? I realise it is cheap, but moving it from there to here will be £££s etc. Is it generally ok? Bodywork ok etc?

Ta!

 

 

Delivery will cost you the only the price of a bus or train to Samba's house, if you use your noggin

[Wilko220]

From what I understand,with the 'improved' type of headgasket now available for the Kettle Series engine,once fitted,its more or less a never worry about it again type of repair,and takes away the uncertainty of the original design gasket

 

My local Rover specialist offers this job "from" £305.

 

[Albert Ross]

Yeah, but £650 for a job where the bits and machining cost no more than £150 trade!!! Even the "16V" models , you can keep the valves in the head during a skim..... bloody hell. I'm glad I do my own repairs.... Hell, if I had the time, I'd fix it for the man, so it could at least be driven away!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGZS-ZR-ROVER ... 1155200115

 

That geezer charging £650 might be going to town on it with the new oil rail and I think theres some part of the 'K-series belt and braces repair' that involves dropping the sump as well, in which case its a pretty involved effort.

[SambaS]

After a huge struggle with my ex-boss, it looks like I will be able to get this back from him. He initially said I wasn't getting it back as it had been parked on his yard for x months, any how the Police saw differently and said if I need them to attend when we go up with a lorry they will.

 

The XR3 is up there too. What a stressful week this has been.

 

But the good news is my Mum has offered to pay for the head gasket repair, well £400 any way which isn't enough to pay the garage I use to do it, which is a shame as they are and MG/ Rover Specialist. But will allow me to buy all the parts and do it myself.

 

My ebay wishlist is as follows:

 

MLS Head gasket and bolt set:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200409665966?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

Genuine Cambelt kit:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250922147032?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

Genuine water Pump

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310511748079?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

Cam Lock tool:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300810433245?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

 

Other than plugs, oil, flush and coolant is there anything else I'm missing?

 

And is that the best head gasket set to use? There is one with a new oil rail in it, is that necessary?

 

Once I get the car home i will remove the head and get it checked out, are there any precautions I should take other than the cam lock tool? I have done a head gasket on 2 other cars with a bit of help. I'm told the head bolts go into something in the bottom the engine which MUST not move or the engines fuckt or something??

[cort16]

Get it over to the guys in the link mr b put up. £275 for the whole job seems like a right bargain.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGZS-ZR-ROVER-45-K-SERIES-HEAD-GASKET-REPLACEMENTS-/261155200115

[Wilko220]

Sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but what's the view on here as to whether it's a good idea to get this job done before any HGF problems start?

I've seen it suggested in the past on some MGR forums - and I've toyed with the idea of getting it done at the same time as my cambelts on the 75. But, on the other hand, as long as you act at the first signs of HGF, perhaps there's not actually much to be gained.

[SambaS]

Oh aye yeah - that looks tempting, sorry I didnt click the link until just now as I saw £650!!

 

Get it over to the guys in the link mr b put up. £275 for the whole job seems like a right bargain.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGZS-ZR-ROVER-45-K-SERIES-HEAD-GASKET-REPLACEMENTS-/261155200115

[cort16]

The seem to have decent enough feed back on the jobs too. Even if the heads toasted they're only charging 100 for a replacement.

[SambaS]

If I was dishonest, like I expect most to be, I'd tell me my head was no good anyway and sell me a replacement and then get mine skimmed and sell on for £100.

 

I don't trust anyone. I need help.

 

And if I was the machine shop and the head was fine I'd say it needed skimming anyway, put my feet up and smoke a joint. If I was dishonest. And a drug user*

 

I really do need help with my not trusting people.

 

Sigh.

 

*I am neither by the way.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

best just do nowt then.

 

If they're doing a half-decent K-series head job for 275 and selling good usable heads (which they then fit) for £100 I cant see them being scamming twats TBH.

[Spiny Norman]

From what I understand,with the 'improved' type of headgasket now available for the Kettle Series engine,once fitted,its more or less a never worry about it again type of repair,and takes away the uncertainty of the original design gasket

 

I wouldn't be so sure.

 

Maybe I was just unlucky but my Rover engine OMNOMNOM'd its new Land Rover spec super-gasket with extra special bolts/dowels or whatever the fuck it is they fit to these dreadful things to try and keep them going.

The job had been done by a local Rover/MG repair specialist place, the bill had been for £600-odd (paid by the previous owner, I'm not that daft) including new water pump, radiator flush and all sorts and it lasted less than two years.

[Albert Ross]

As I said before, I'd do it for you.... but I'm short on time, and my motor will probalby not make the journey. Re: The not turning engine warning. Basically, before removing the belt, time it up. This puts the pistons "half and half" in the bores, and with the head removed, it locks the crank, so the liners can't lift. If you've never done one, they're somewhat less simple than a Fiesta OHV to do... Buy a Charity Shop manual, worth every penny.

[SambaS]

How do I check each bore... or liner for damage?

 

Our Disco that blew it's head gasket badly damaged the liners or bores or whatever it has.

 

When I did the XR3 I could rotate the crankshaft to get better access to the top of the pistons them selves to clean, this didn't cause any problems. From what i understand in the case of the K series this will, or might cause issue??

 

As I said before, I'd do it for you.... but I'm short on time, and my motor will probalby not make the journey. Re: The not turning engine warning. Basically, before removing the belt, time it up. This puts the pistons "half and half" in the bores, and with the head removed, it locks the crank, so the liners can't lift. If you've never done one, they're somewhat less simple than a Fiesta OHV to do... Buy a Charity Shop manual, worth every penny.

[M'coli]

The K-series head doesn't bolt to the block, rather the studs run through the engine to the main bearing caps, hence when you take the head off the tension is removed from these studs and thus the securing force on the main bearings too.

[Rocket88]

From what I understand,with the 'improved' type of headgasket now available for the Kettle Series engine,once fitted,its more or less a never worry about it again type of repair,and takes away the uncertainty of the original design gasket

 

I wouldn't be so sure.

 

Maybe I was just unlucky but my Rover engine OMNOMNOM'd its new Land Rover spec super-gasket with extra special bolts/dowels or whatever the fuck it is they fit to these dreadful things to try and keep them going.

The job had been done by a local Rover/MG repair specialist place, the bill had been for £600-odd (paid by the previous owner, I'm not that daft) including new water pump, radiator flush and all sorts and it lasted less than two years.

 

Did they skim the head?

[SambaS]

Just been for a chat with my local garage who are the MG/ Rover specialist, and also the most old school garage I know - he say's it's easy and I should have no problem doing it myself. GAME ON!

 

In other news the FSO is in for MOT in the morning at the same place.

[SambaS]

[Rod/b]

That didn't go very well...

[SambaS]

It has a good drivers door to swap for my damaged one £20, and if I need a replacement head this may prove fruitful. Same yard I bought mine from so this could have been mine. Not sure what this is in for but the coil pack has been removed. I'm half considering taking mine off to see if this one goes. Tried to take dipstick out to check for cream but it wont come out for love nor money.

[Lankytim]

.......So did you do the HG then? Why is the MG under another car minus it's wheels?