[steveeet]

My son decided to jump feet first in to buying his first car by spending his (?) hard earned money on a 1993 416SLi. Undeterred by my protestations, the white smoke or even the vendor’s confessions regarding recent overheating and water usage, he took the plunge despite all the obvious evidence and advice not to. He is 21, I cannot hold it against him really, try as I might.

Anyway, 2 applications of Steel Seal down and it looks to me (not an expert) that the crack in the cylinder head, for that is what it surely must be, is not going to fix itself through magic potions and crossing of fingers. I’d be really grateful for any advice from this illustrious forum.

The following symptoms are what lead me to my diagnosis:
- Temperature climbing into the red when driving, but ok at idle on the drive for hours
- water boiling and quickly disappearing
- replacement expansion tank cap distorting and becoming difficult to replace
- no heat coming forum a ‘hot’ cooling circuit via the cabin heater
- white smoke from the exhaust - think James Bond trying to escape in an Aston, but with much less style

Other evidence of note:
- lower pipe from radiator does get hot
- Radiator has clearly had a hard life but doesn’t appear clogged
- Head gasket replaced by previous owner in 2019
- check engine light appears after engine reaches ‘normal’ temperature (lambda sensor or related issue?)
- engine oil doesn’t have any white/milky/head gasket type deposits
- the fan comes on when it should

Research suggests it could perhaps be water pump related, but it seems more likely to me that some sort of crack is the culprit. The first dose of steel seal did actually buy him some running time when the white smoke abated and the car was usable, at least for a few hundred miles.

So, the advice I’m after is anything really from people who have experienced similar. Is it worth ploughing even more of his (my) hard earned cash into having the head looked at/skimmed, or is that just a hiding to nothing? The body work is also pretty poor but repairable in the right hands, with time/effort/money. It has an MOT until October but goodness knows what else is lurking undiscovered. But when all is said and done, I’ve started to like the 90’s classic too. It seems a shame to give up on it.

Grateful for any thoughts, observations, suggestions or commiserations.

[Stan Thomas]

Sorry to hear of your woes, although I feel you probably already have the compass of the problem insofar as the engine will require major surgery.

In that respect, I suggest the resolution is more financial than mechanical when balancing what your son paid for the car with your money against the realisation of the cost of rectifying the engine fault(s) which would most likely be greater - and whilst also bearing in mind what other work may be necessary regarding bodywork etc.

As it stands, it is really down to what work you could do yourself (such as attending to the problem directly or fitting a replacement secondhand engine etc.) against the cost of paying a garage for the requisite repairs.

Sorry to be so pessimistic.

Regards to all,

Stan.

[itcaptainslow]

If it’s work you’re unable to do yourself, I’d recommend summoning the services of MG Rover Mobile Mechanics-I’ve not used them myself but know several who have, all speak highly of them.

They come to you, are specialists and will be most likely cheaper than a “normal” garage thanks to lower overheads.

http://www.mg-rovermobilemechanics.com/

[JOHNDQ]

Honda lump probably need head gasket, welding to head and if your unlucky the cylinder block walls be have been eaten away by corrosion. All common problems with the D16 engine

[steveeet]

Thanks all for the replies, particularly the wall corrosion which I hadn’t considered. The solution has become even clearer I think - a shame as it has some charm. I’ll update if we have a change of heart and a repair is attempted. Any idea how far the mobile mg rover lot might be willing to travel? I’m in the far west of Cornwall.

Thanks.

[steveeet]

Don’t worry, I actually followed the link, rather than being lazy. They can do anywhere. Thank you.

[rover216GSIman]

Keen to know how this turns out. Surprised really as I’d have thought the Honda engine to be superior to a K series in terms of head gasket failure ?

[220 GSi turbo]

Keen to know how this turns out. Surprised really as I’d have thought the Honda engine to be superior to a K series in terms of head gasket failure ?

The Honda engine is superior to the K-series in that it will run pretty much indefinitely if properly maintained. Problem is, as the cars get older, owners may neglect to change the coolant at the recommended intervals and as a result, corrosion of the waterways of the block and head are inevitable.

If the rest of the car is in really good condition, it may be worth spending some money to sort it out (including a GOOD secondhand engine if necessary) but if the rest of the car is generally tired and neglected it may be more cost-effective to start again with a better one......