Reginald Nutsack's K-series Kapers - ROVER 623 MOT GUFF

[Lord Sterling]

I really like Rover 75s, as much as I want one, 7 reckon I'm going to have to wait for a while. Steve has one of these in Estate form on LPG that I'm currently trying to sell for him. Same engine/spec too.

[steve_earwig]

Wow, talk about perseverance! You must have the patience of a saint on valium.

 

Did anyone figure out where that bung came from in the GTi's cooling system? Kind of reminds me of the sabotage on WW2 German tanks, fag ends in oil galleries, all the bolts left loose, that sort of thing. Hey, did someone on the production line have it in for K series engines?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

It was the middle out of the 'saab valve', someone on the blue forum correctly identified it then a bit more digging found several other unfortunates who had suffered with it. I wonder how many K-series HGF's can be attibuted to that poxy little thing.

[steve_earwig]

Oh good grief, what a great bit of design

 

Yes indeed, it does make you wonder. how many brew ups, also how many rebuilt engines going the same way because the mechanics didn't have time to leave it running for a week and the patience to track it down...

[MarvinsMom]

i'll bet hat is what was wrong with the 25 that i had. got the HG changed but afterwards it was still over heating and pressurising the water jacket. flushed the rad through, that was fine but it was still voerheating and doing. as i wasnt working i couldnt be doing with spending anymore on it, and ended up sending it to a local scrappy. the car got sold on and not broken which was good, as it was a nice little car bu the whole expereince put me off the kettle series completely.

 

i'm loving the R75 that i've got, though its a deisel estate. lovely motors, kind of wished that i had taken the plunge earlier into 75 ownership, so good to see another one been brought back from the brink. top job, i tip my bonnet to you sir!!

[EssDeeWon]

Good effort Mr B0L.

 

Did you get to the bottom of the damp carpet cause? Im sure you are more than aware mate but make sure the plenum chamber drain holes are clear. If these are blocked the rain backs up and finds its way into the front foot wells.

 

Some chrome bullet mirrors off Ken would finish it off nicely

 

I like my 75 very much, and £500 is nothing when you think its probably a grand deposit on a new sh!tty fiesta! (or something similar)

[RobT]

That reminds me, I need to prod the drain holes on mine before it becomes a problem.

 

I like your wheels Reg.  My Club's 15s give a nice ride but am wondering whether to lob some 16s on to make it look more purposeful.  Atlantic blue paintwork plus some like yours would look HOT.

[EssDeeWon]

That reminds me, I need to prod the drain holes on mine before it becomes a problem.

 

I like your wheels Reg.  My Club's 15s give a nice ride but am wondering whether to lob some 16s on to make it look more purposeful.  Atlantic blue paintwork plus some like yours would look HOT.

 

I think those 16" alloys are called Unions, plenty on ebay with tyres, or you could try 15" crowns to give it the 'Connie' look.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yeah I stumbled across the bulkhead drains and found they were blocked, I unblocked them and about 3 litres of water poured out the drivers side one!!!! IS VERY NICE

 

The lads from the unit up the way are going to chuck this Rover in for a test tomorrow. Fingers crossed, but let’s be honest getting a 53 plate car through an MOT shouldn’t be a massive deal should it, the lights and brakes all work so whats the worst that can happen. Anyone know how soon you can tax a currently untaxed vehicle? Used to be 2 days before the start of the month but I reckon it might be 2 weeks or something now. I don’t want to tax anything for a period which has already passed but I don’t mind driving about in something which is ‘taxed but the tax hasn’t started yet’ if you know what I mean.

 

If nowt else I will probably SORN the Primera near the end of Jan and tax this instead.

[EssDeeWon]

I taxed mine online which PBK had on sorn and it was immediate, had a confirmation email from DVLA within a couple of minutes saying BP51 *** was taxed until 01.11.2015   And this was done on DD, they took the first payment 14 days later.

[AnthonyG]

This is probably a stupid question, but what is a Saab valve? Even my tablet thinks it should be a solid Swedish car favoured by university professors and architects.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Its a little spring loaded one-way valve in the water pipes of these old Rovers, the water that bypasses the radiator has to either go through the heater matrix or, if the heater is set to cold, through it. It has a SAAB logo and part number on it for some reason!!!

[steve_earwig]

I was wondering about that earlier, I thought maybe the Saab thing was a coincidence and it's actually an acronym - Sod About And Boil valve perhaps.

[UltraWomble]

 It has a SAAB logo and part number on it for some reason!!!

Because it was a SAAB part, circa 1980's but then disused by SAAB. No I dont know why SAAB stopped fitting them.

Remove it and replace the matrix pipework with that of an earlier car, it will be less hassle.

 

 

 

SAAB (Ranco) valve malfunction Ã¢â‚¬â€œ late cars had their heater by-pass controlled by a black plastic valve

instead of just a restrictor. This looks like a T piece and is in the heater pipes near the coolant control valve. If this valve falls to pieces, it can block off the heater and allow all the coolant to take a short cut back to the engine. If this happens, the heater may still get hot when the engine is revved up.

[HH-R]

What are these 1.8s actually like to drive in the real world?

 

Had a 2 litre V6 a few years back which felt like a rocket compared to my 1.4 45 but once I'd got used to it, not that quick. Its 0-60 on paper wasn't that shabby though.

 

Pretty much anything would feel like a rocket after driving 8v 1.2s for the past 4 ish years.

[AnthonyG]

Did it pass MrB?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I don't know, I texted the chaps who are supposed to be sorting it today, and they said its still at the MOT shed!!! No idea whats going on with it, hopefully something will happen tomorrow

[Lankytim]

Well annoying that is. Drop a car off at a garage for whatever work/MOT (because the garage said it was a good time for them), ring up a couple of days later (because you've heard FA back) only to be told they haven't touched it yet!!

[EssDeeWon]

Doubt any cars have been worked on this week....they are all standing about drinking tea and admiring the Rover.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

YESSSSSSSSSSSS! MOT success!!!

[UltraWomble]

Well done, did you ever really have any doubts?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Well you never know, i did wonder if perhaps the cat had been damaged by all that oily gloop that went into it for example. But, the last four cars I've taken for MOT have passed first time, I always expect something to need doing but i've had a run of good luck! The Doblo, Mondeo V6, 25GTi and now this have all gone through first try. I leave them with a couple of lads who do car repairs in a unit round the corner from mine, they charge £50 to take it for a test (theyre probably paying £30 or £35) so i don't even have to fart about going to the MOT shop. Great service.

[Jim Bell]

K series re animation and ministry of transport test succes rate remains 100%.

 

Excellent darts.

[Danblez]

Great stuff!

 

You are like a horse whisperer for old shit cars.

[Danblez]

Well you never know, i did wonder if perhaps the cat had been damaged by all that oily gloop that went into it for example. But, the last four cars I've taken for MOT have passed first time, I always expect something to need doing but i've had a run of good luck! The Doblo, Mondeo V6, 25GTi and now this have all gone through first try. I leave them with a couple of lads who do car repairs in a unit round the corner from mine, they charge £50 to take it for a test (theyre probably paying £30 or £35) so i don't even have to fart about going to the MOT shop. Great service.

 

I have been doing this for years, trusted local mechanic takes them for an MOT for me.Costs me £55 but I have not had a single failure or advisory and more importantly none of my cars have ever failed on windscreen wipers. Well worth the extra £££ for lack of hassle. The last old motor I had had an advisory list as long as my arm, didn't touch any of them and then the next MOT was clean as a whistle.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

This 75 is now taxed, insured and on the road!!! I have driven it 80 miles or so and the HG has not failed, heater works, drives in a straight line etc, can't really fault it. Pics and road test report to follow

[Split_Pin]

REZERECTION. Good to see another formerly hopeless motor turned round into a comfortable workhorse for several more years.

 

Now you really need a structurally compromised French car with a totally obselete engine and shape-shifting auxiliary drive belt......

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I've now driven this thing 1000 miles, its pretty much bob on but with a Volvo 760, Fiat Uno pick-up, Fiat Argenta, Hyundai Pony and Nissan Primera all sitting about (outdoors) doing nowt i'm really pushing my luck for space up at the unit. PLus i can see other shite on the radar that I really want including a Montego Si in the south of France. This Rover is the most 'easily replaceable' of the fleet so does anyone want to buy a (in my view) well-sorted 53-plate 75 1.8 for a shiters price of £600? You can see what its had done, it drives very well, 53k, 11months ticket, pretty much everything works and it seems to be averaging about 34mpg. Let me know if so. Will do a better for sale ad when I have time

[Craig the Princess]

Wow, that is a mega bargain. GLWTS

[Lankytim]

HG warrantied for life AND the afterlife too.