Motoring Discussion > Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues?
Thread Author: Alanovich	Replies: 37

Wed 19 Jan 11 14:08   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Alanovich

I'm idly browsing autotrader and ebay for cheapo cabrios with one eye on the approaching spring weather, and the good old Rover 216 leapt to mind. Does anyone know whether they were all 216s, i.e they all had a 1.6 engine? Were there any other variants? Also, was the 1.6 in these the notorious Rover engine with the head gasket shenanigans/hullabaloo/kerfuffle/brouhaha/pandemonium? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 14:34   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - paulb

I *think* it might still have been the DOHC Honda engine in those - I guess the way to tell would be to have the bonnet up and if the block looks to be on the wrong side of the bay, it's the Honda unit. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 14:38   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Alanovich

Which side is the wrong side, as you look at it? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 14:47   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - paulb

Thinking back to my Civic (which had one of the last of the "rotate the other way" Honda engines), if the block is towards the passenger side, it'll be the Honda engine. Years ago my mate's dad and my mum had (respectively) a 216GTi and a 214Si, both 5-door on '92 J reg, and we parked them side-by-side with the bonnets up just to see the difference... Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 15:35   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

The 216 Cabrio had the K-Series. The only ones which didnt were the automatics which had the Honda unit. However, the later 216 auto did have the K-Series mated to the CVT box. You can tell the K-Series auto from a Honda auto by the gearshifter - the Honda cars have a T-bar type shifter, later CVT have a rounded 'stick'. The Honda engined 216 auto is a lovely thing. Cabrios tend to rust though there are a few minters about. Worth looking at the Coupe aswell which I think had a removable glass roof - its much sharper than the Cabrio to drive. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 15:38   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Mark830

Hi there, Fairly sure the Cabriolet was available in the 1.4 Rover engine and the 1.6 Honda engine. Whilst i believe the 1.8 rover engine is the one with the infamous head gasket issue, i believe the 1.4 engine is not without it's own issues. I once investigated buying a rover cabriolet, The 1.4 Cabriolet base model often comes with no power steering, one to avoid. Most importantly the hood is the issue, A replacement hood supplied and fitted is circa £1000 making a bargain cabriolet suddenly less attractive. I am no expert and investigated all this many years ago, but unlikely the hoods are any cheaper now. Hope this helps Mark Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 15:46   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Alanovich

Thanks, Mark. Are you and stunorthants disagreeing here or am I misreading someting? He says the 216 had the K-series, which I take to be a Rover engine? You're saying they all had Honda engines? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 15:46   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

This is what the Honda engine looks like: cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-ROVER-216-SLI-AUTO-bargain-/280617179173?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4156165825 Heres a K-Series: cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROVER-216-COUPE-/220725405509?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3364426745 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 15:47   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

Some of the earliest 216 cabrio manuals did had the Honda engine, but it changed over in about 1995ish and early cars are rare in good nick. Last edited by: stunorthants29 on Wed 19 Jan 11 at 15:48 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 15:50   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-Rover-216-1-6-Cabriolet-Manual-Green-/280616179605?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4156071795 Heres an early looking car but with the K-series Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 16:05   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - DP

That Honda engine is a peach, but I recall from my brother in law's 416i that the gearing can be quite tedious for motorway use. It's only about 20 mph/1000 RPM in top. That was the principle reason he got rid of it. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 16:06   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - nyx2k

am i the only person who likes the k series engines. at least you know what its problems are so fix the cooling issue before it happens. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 16:12   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

I do, but then I worked with the cars long enough as to not be afraid of them and my sister ran a VVC MGF without a single issue - she drove it like she stole it so its not like she didnt try and cause issues either. If I was buying a keeper, id have the HG change to one of these uprated ones an keep the coolant and hoses fresh, thats all thats needed. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 16:17   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Alanovich

Cool. There's a nice looking one on autotrader which says it's had an uprated gasket, and that's what prompted me to ask the question. Cheers all. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 16:19   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

It was actually LR that persued the uprated gasket because LR customers shout louder when stuff goes wrong ( the 1.8 Freelander ). I think they eventually made it into Rovers a few years before they folded. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 06:58   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - swiss tony

>> I do, but then I worked with the cars long enough as to not be >> afraid of them and my sister ran a VVC MGF without a single issue - >> she drove it like she stole it I think that's how they like to be driven! Your not the 1st person I have heard say that about a K-series engined car. Some engines love to be 'used' and give more problems if just chugged about..... ... think along the lines of RX-8's. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 10:21   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

HGF on MGFs was often down to not changing coolant which was critical and not attending to any hose leaks quickly which due to the small coolant capacity was a big problem very quickly, both down to the owners often being 40 somethings who didnt realise the cars require active participation and care. The cars to buy were always the owners club owned cars - my sisters was one of these from new and the car oozed lavish care, from being fully undersealed to its mechanics looking like new with an exemplary history. Our loan cars were the bubble shape 214s which we thrashed from day one. We ran then to 12k, serviced them and sold them on. They NEVER came back with problems. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 16:32   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Rob81

The only non Citroen I've ever owned was a Honda engined 1993 Rover 216, bought as a short term stop gap after writing of a Xantia. The car itself was an absolute heap but the engine was fantastic. It was the first 16v engine I had owned and was powerful, smooth and economical. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 18:30   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - nyx2k

when the k series came out wasnt it 95hp for the 1.4. that was pretty good for the time Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 20:15   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Focusless

>> when the k series came out wasnt it 95hp for the 1.4. >> that was pretty good for the time The second car I owned was a new 214Si with that 1.4 (16v) engine. I thought it was great, although my judgement might have been clouded by the fact it was preceded by an old (F reg) 1.2 Micra. Last edited by: Focus on Wed 19 Jan 11 at 20:15 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 20:38   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - -

Was there no Cabrio version of the 220?, about the only outward sign of the 2 litre engine was the slight power bulge in the bonnet, went pretty well without turbo too. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 20:53   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Focusless

>> Was there no Cabrio version of the 220?, about the only outward sign of the >> 2 litre engine was the slight power bulge in the bonnet, went pretty well without >> turbo too. Got a second hand (K reg) 420 after the 214, and yes, it did go compared to the 214 at least - ~8 sec 0-60 IIRC. But mine had an annoying gear whine in top at about 60mph, so with more money than sense in those days I traded it in for a Renault 19 16v. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:05   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Stuu

No cabrio 220, but there was a 220 Coupe and a 220 Turbo in both Coupe and hatch form. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:20   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - paulb

>> I traded it in for a Renault 19 16v. >> I don't know, if the people who used to live opposite my parents were any guide, I bet you got really good value out of your breakdown cover :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:42   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Focusless

>> >> I traded it in for a Renault 19 16v. >> >> >> >> I don't know, if the people who used to live opposite my parents were any >> guide, I bet you got really good value out of your breakdown cover :-) :) Actually apart from the holed exhaust after 2 weeks which the dealer fixed FoC I didn't have any problems. But I wasn't keeping cars very long in those days - up to the Renault that was because I was young free and single with a good income, but then I met SWMBO-to-be with 2 kids. Next car was a nice practical Mondeo 1.8LX... Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:19   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - paulb

Addition of a cat. in '93 or so knocked that down to 90-odd but still pretty damn peppy for a 1.4. Shame about the [rude word] head gasket though. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:26   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Focusless

>> Addition of a cat. in '93 or so knocked that down to 90-odd Are you sure? I know they brought out a less powerful 8v version (214S) but IIRC it went up to 105bhp for the cat version. Or perhaps that was just a later update. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:29   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Focusless

>> IIRC it went up to 105bhp for the cat version. Or perhaps that was just >> a later update. Correction - 103bhp. Went from SPI to MPI according to Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_K-Series_engine#1400 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:31   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - paulb

>> Are you sure? I know they brought out a less powerful 8v version (214S) but >> IIRC it went up to 105bhp for the cat version. Or perhaps that was just >> a later update. >> Ours ('92 J) was single-point injected and 90 bhp per the handbook - later ones were multi-point (believe that version first saw light of day in the Metro GTi) and were 103 or so. Always thought the 214SEi from about 1994/5 in cherry red metallic with the alloys and sports seats looked pretty good - wondered if the Ma might get one, then hers went pop on the M4 (not nice - I was driving at the time) and it's been FIATs ever since. Edited to add - you beat me to it.... Last edited by: paulb on Wed 19 Jan 11 at 21:32 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 08:27   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - DP

>> later ones >> were multi-point (believe that version first saw light of day in the Metro GTi) The multi-point injected Metro GTI was a flying machine. Such a beautifully sweet engine too. The car itself was pants, aside from fairly entertaining handling, but what an engine. Felt significantly bigger and gutsier than its 1400cc Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 21:34   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - spamcan61

>> when the k series came out wasnt it 95hp for the 1.4. >> that was pretty good for the time >> A clever concept, poorly executed. BL's modus operandi. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 19 Jan 11 23:28   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - R.P.

I had a 216 (Honda) Gti for while - nice car, proper fast with a creamy free revving engine...it got clocked after I sold it.... Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 04:06   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Iffy

I can see the attraction of a cheap convertible. But on a £500 car there's no point in worrying about the possible future failure of a head gasket or any other gasket. The car will either make it through another summer or it won't - a bit like some of us. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 07:09   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Focusless

>> The car will either make it through another summer or it won't - a bit >> like some of us. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ :) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 10:42   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Iffy

...www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ... That's a lot more cheerful, musical and listenable than the stuff your lad records. :) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 15:36   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - Bigtee

The Rover is not a bad old shed mine ran ok no real trouble in the two years of ownership was the 1.4 16v Rover engine, As i got it free and all it cost was £250.00 in bits to get a mot and lasted two years it was ok. Towards the end of the time the head gasket was weeping water into the cylinder & on initial start up a misfire happened then cleared and ran fine for the day till left overnight. I put up with it for 3 months till i chopped it in for another motor. My mate just got a 1.4 54 plate tidy motor and cheap runs just fine not a cabrio but still many about and parts cheap. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 17:07   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - DP

I think the 200/400 (R8?) was a very decent car. You see a lot more old ones (H/J/K plates) kicking around than equivalent aged Astras, Escorts or Golfs. Apart from being overpriced and poorly specced, I seem to recall the magazine reviews at the time proclaiming it to be a class leader, or very good contender at least. Probably one of the few Rovers at the time that you didn't need to make excuses for buying. A genuinely good, competent, well made car. I still reckon the interiors look smart today. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 20 Jan 11 18:04   Rover 200 and 400 - Convertible 1.6 - HG issues? - nyx2k

ive always liked the rover interiors way back to the early 80's. always seemed an air of quality. i had a montego turbo for a yr or two and that was fast and scary. Reply to this message | Report message