Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

Paul_1978_yorks wrote:Booked in for cam belt and water pump tomorrrow (Gates kit), and MOT.

Going to be an expensive job but the car is a keeper.

No evidence of cambelt ever having being done - nothing in documentation nor any stickers around the car or on the engine anywhere.

Listen to the engine after you've had it done. Any whistles or whines either persistent or disappearing (or appearing) after say 10 miles of driving may indicate a faulty kit or more likely an over-tight belt. Just use your familiarity with the cabin noise to tell you if anything is wrong. If it sounds the same and the garage is happy, they've probably got the tension right.

Thanks for the info Johnny

MOT passed successfully yesterday with no advisories.

As regards the belt/pump - the belt was actually in good condition, but that can't be said for the pump. Whilst it was in working order it was very rusty which is due to lack of use of the car over 27 years.

Pic here: https://instagram.com/p/BUjHdt8BBhO/

On the plus side I have an all new Gates Timing belt kit (inc new pump and tensioner). Cost me a few quid but it's peace of mind now and will not need to be done again for many years.

Paul_1978_yorks wrote:MOT passed successfully yesterday with no advisories.

As regards the belt/pump - the belt was actually in good condition, but that can't be said for the pump. Whilst it was in working order it was very rusty which is due to lack of use of the car over 27 years.

Pic here: https://instagram.com/p/BUjHdt8BBhO/

On the plus side I have an all new Gates Timing belt kit (inc new pump and tensioner). Cost me a few quid but it's peace of mind now and will not need to be done again for many years.

It's peace of mind. That water pump does look quite corroded. Just think how clean the rest of the waterways are in your engine. And the point is, a dodgy water pump can stress the belt.

Just means you don't have to worry that you're spending on a car that's about to fail. For me, it's the riskiest service job so I'm always glad when it's done and I've put a few more miles on the car.

Great news - just had an email from the original owner who has found the service book (which was missing when I collected the car). It been posted to me and I'm expecting it on Monday.

Really pleased with that! Should be able to fill in early blanks in the service history.