dodgy7

ok it`s not on scooby but help needed....... rover 414 temp gauge goes into red after running for only 5 mins and when you pull over the expansion bottle is bubbling away.... has the head gasket gone ??.. if so what will it cost to put right ??

The_Judge

Sounds like head gasket to me. Used to have a 220 GSi Turbo, and got through 5 head gaskets in 3 years of ownership. Totally unmodified car as well! What year is yours? If it's prior to 94, and is still on the original head gasket, you'll find it's made of "cardboard". The modified ones are tougher and last longer (unless you have a turbocharged engine...!)

The most common place for it to blow is the near side front corner, and it may have gone big time, in which case there'll be a load of oil in front of and below, or it may just be very oily on the corner and beneath.

If it is the head gasket, when you get it replaced, make sure they do it properly (ie. skim the head), or it'll go again and again (as I found out )

dodgy7

thanks for the info m8, it`s a 95 model, also forgot to say the heater does not get warm at all

scoobyslut

The heater system may not get a chance to get warm, as with the engine putting so much air pressure into the cooling water,you wont get much water round into the heater to get any effect.
I would also check the small water/air bleed hose which comes off the back of the cylinder head,by the inlet manifold, as this also has a tendency to get blocked, not allowing air to escape out of the cylinder head and bleed to the radiator expansion tank.