Anyone know about Rover group S series engines?

[Lankytim]

I've just picked up an F reg Maestro 1.6 auto and plonked it on my parents drive in Birmingham to be retrieved at a later date. Its not in bad shape overall with 47k on the clock, not too much rust and 10 months MOT. Its no oil painting by any means but should make a good winter smoker.

 

The big problem with it is there seems to be no compression on a couple of cylinders. Cranking it over the engine seems to be lumpy and uneven and when it eventually does fire up its obviously down on two pots. At higher revs it does seem to even out but not by much. The headgasket seems to be OK with no undue pressurisation in the cooling system or oil/water mixing.

 

The previous owner tried to fix it by replacing the plugs, leads and dizzy cap but that had no effect. A garage spent some time trying to diagnose the problem and reconed that some valves seemed to be sticking open, causing the lack of compression.

 

As the car is in Brum and i'm up in Stoke I haven't had chance to have a proper look myself unfortunately

 

Burnt valves? Broken valve springs?

 

Any S series fans on the forum like to hazard a guess as to the likely problem?

[scaryoldcortina]

are the dead pots adjacent to each other? I'd hazard a guess at an across the pots HG failure...

[Mr_Bo11ox]

£5 on burnt valves at 5-2 odds.

 

I've got a compression gauge if you want to borrow it?

[Lankytim]

Cheers B, I think I have my own tester somewhere. There does seem to be ZERO compression though, almost seems pointless testing it. The car has been driven many miles in this condition, steadily getting worse. The fuel consumption has gone though the roof too. £80 to do 60 miles! (not sure if I believe that TBH)

 

There was a recon top end on ebay a few months back, complete with cam, valves and with a gasket set, unsold at £24! I have emailed the seller to see if they still have it...

 

are the dead pots adjacent to each other? I'd hazard a guess at an across the pots HG failure...

 

I dont know if i'm honest! Would have to be a pretty bad blow to have no compression though, its like someone has removed the spark plugs!

[scaryoldcortina]

In which case, I'd agree with Mr. B, burnt valves.

[Albert Ross]

ISTR these have a REALLY bloody awkward valve train assembly, the valve sit at odd angles, and when you replace the buckets and shims, it all has to be held together with eleventeen hands as you lower the cam carrier..... or am I thinking of another shite AR engine?

[chester drawers]

If you're looking for a cylinder head it might be worth giving Boundary Breakers in Commonside, Cheadle ST10 2NR 01538 751366 a call.

 

They used to have plenty of AR stuff in the corner of the yard when I had the Montego, but that was a few years ago now. Without wishing to open up a big can of worms, so far as I can remember only the Rover-badged S-series cars came equipped with hardened valve seats for use with unleaded...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I expect someone's been running it on unleaded and the valves have recessed. It might be worth running though the valve clearances but it's probably going to be a head off job - no biggie on the S Series mill.

[Lankytim]

Well according to the manual the head can come off without disturbing the cam or valve shims so it should be easy to just lob a complete head on in one go rather than mess about re-shimming valves and stuff. The recon one on e.bay was a late unleaded type so hopefully the guy will get back to me!

[ashmicro]

I expect someone's been running it on unleaded and the valves have recessed. It might be worth running though the valve clearances but it's probably going to be a head off job - no biggie on the S Series mill.

 

 

+1. I know the S Series inside out (literally) and have seen this scenario numerous times.

[Lankytim]

The guy with the head has relisted it rather than just sell it to me, so now I don't know if im going to get it or not and I've got to wait 6 days to find out!

 

Its a pukka unipart recon one though so is absolutely ideal. Please fate, don't be cruel. Let me win it!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Don't worry tim, I cant see there being more than 1-2 people in the world gasping to own it! Nobody repairs busted maestro engines.

[Lankytim]

Well, it only takes two bidders to start a BIDDING WAR and it'l be up to £4567. Just you watch.

 

I remember seeing the head the first time round and wishing I had a Maestro/Montego with a borked engine so I could make use of such a rare bargain. Bloody typical I actually have one now!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

What was the opening bid last time round then?

[Lankytim]

£24.99. Bargain

[Lankytim]

ALL UR RECON S SERIES CYL HEADS ARE BELONG TO ME! e.t.c

 

Just need to get it fitted now!

 

Studying the MOT's it looks like its done virtually no mileage throughout its life up to the point where the previous owner bought it, then it did 10k between the most recent MOTs. I guess that could explain why the valves suddenly have issues.