2002 Rover 75 is it head gasket or coolant problem?

Car: Rover 75
Year: 2002
Categories: Leaks & Noises
My car is a Rover 75 Club SE model with only 45600 miles on it since new.
I noticed a couple of months ago when removed the radiator cap the water level had dropped.I added water and kept checking in case went low again.It did this a few times in the last couple of months and I have added water only.The car has never over heated or shown it on the gage and worked fine.My wife has used the car for the past 2 weeks while I was overseas but never has checked the water level as asked.
I drove my car yesterday to the supermarket and once it had warmed up,put the heater on...Only cold air came out when put on even when the temp gage shows middle range and okay.I then went to the petrol station to check the water level and add water if needed.I waited a few minutes and opened the radiator cap..Found the water wanted to come gushing out and a light brown colour.
I couldnt add more water as the water level wouldn`t drop,even when a lot of water came out from the radiator cap.I then drove the car home immediatley and have left it parked on my drive way.
Question 1..Why was the heater only blowing cold air when worked fine before?
Question 2..Why is the temp gage showing normal and no over heating?
Question 3..Why is the radiator fan staying on for a period of time while driving and once stopped and parked?
Question 4..Is it a low level coolant or air lock?
Question 5..Why would the water be a light sand brown colour?
Question 6..Has the head gasget gone?
Question 7..If I have all the water drained out etc and new coolant/water put in will the car work as normal again?
I am wondering what the best soloution to try first as found out water locks,head gasket probems are common..
I appreciate your imput on this matter
Posted: Feb 6, 2010 (14 years ago)
1 heater is the highest point so its got no water up there
2 the engine has enough water so gauge is happy
3 rad fan on either because the lack of water takes more cooling or because ecu will put fan on all time engine running if fault detected
4 you def have an air lock
5 sounds like a head gasget and slowly getting worse
6 prob
7 run car without rad cap on top up water as level drops,if water jets up and out of tank def a head gasget. if when hot level settles put cap on and try it.a garage will do a block test and a gas test and even pressure water system to tell if gasgets gone i must say quite common 4 a rover
Posted Feb 6, 2010 (14 years ago)
I have a 52 reg Rover 75 1.8 which is in the process of having its third head gasket fitted. It has also had new water pump, belts etc over the 3 epidoses. The first head was done in 2004 and lasted until 2007 and is now being done again, this will mean that the head has been skimmed 3 times and I have been told that this will be the last time. What is the solution to this problem?
Posted Aug 18, 2010 (13 years ago)

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