Did anyone see that item about the K-series 1.8 motor?
L/R have openly admitted that there is a big problem with this power unit, i.e. blowing head gaskets. Don't they fit these in the latest Caterporks?

Yep

the head gasket probs with K 1.4 units is well known - discussed in detail on TOL and here about a year back.

dunno if the 1.8 has the same failure mode tho...

atb

steve

We had the h/gst go on the wife's 1.8 VVC BRM with 1500 miles of collecting (new)

All replaced and never failed again.

We both still miss that car - she even wanted to know how much we'd pay for one now!!. 'twas great fun.

ATB

Simon

Apparently those landies on Watchdog, were before rover fixed the headgasket problem. Supposedly they have a new design which wont have the same problems, probably changed the silicon seal.

I thought it was the tiny waterways in the head that furred up and caused the head gasket to fail, replacing the head gasket would onlywork for a while if the waterway was not cleared.

As for rover QC, I had a rover 820t with suspension damage at work, the replacement track control arm was supplied without the hole for the balljoint, they are obviously not checking dimensions if they do not notice the lack of tapered hole!

I heard that the head problem can be solved by drilling three holes in the thermostat - not sure where or what size though!

The 3 hole theory was mine, or rather supplied to me by a bloke tasked with fixing it for Powertrain (engine suppliers to Rover)

He ran a 340bhp 1.4 on a standard head-gasket for ages without failure in his sprint car, so he seemed to know what he was doing.

Cheers,

Neil.