Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

she had her car overheat on friday afternoon.
coolant had bubbled over at the rad and was brown and mucky.

any early diagnosis (sshh! its a metro - but she needs help)

Andy

Jiggerypokery

Any help?
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=375582

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Head gasket most likely..

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

If it's a K-series engined metro (1991 onwards - knowing the year helps) I can pretty much guarantee it's the head gasket. Very common problem, for a long list of reasons (above all it's a Rover ).

cong

also check underneath the oil cap to see if theres any milky yucky residue! a definate sign of a blown head gasket

eldudereno

Since the coolant was brown and mucky, there's obviously some corrosion being going on, it sounds like the radiator could well be rotten and blocked.

If the head gasket has gone, there are usually bubbles seen in the expansion tank.

None of this is an exact science though, she really needs someone to have a look of it.

DeanF

iTrader: (1)

As above , Could be head gasket Or might not have progressed that far yet & be a faulty thermostat, Sender unit for the electric cooling fan ,, Defo sounds like there is corrosion going on due to the brown rusty stuff, This happens when the car is not using a antifreeze Mix , Just plain old water, this will need adressing before the frost comes also

Dean

scooby-k

had the same thing on a 400 turned out to be cap on expansion bottle. £4.50 from dealer. tell her to replace that first as it's the cheapest option.
ken