:?: Hi, I am new to this forum but my car isn't, I have a 1993 rover 414 sli which has covered 35000 miles from new and runs really well. However i am considering taken the beast to the south of France this year in August so very hot!!!
My concern is the head gasket failure i have read so much about. What if any thing can be done to prevent a failure as i would get a good kicking off the wife if the car broke down. I know it probably won't fail but i'd like to do as much as i can for peace of mind.
Many thanks
Steve

There isn't a lot you can do to prevent it other than make sure the cooling system is in good shape and the water level regularly checked. DO NOT DRIVE WITH A LOW COOLANT LEVEL. Check the radiator and pipework doesn't leak and that the cap holds pressure (they fail quite often) and also that the cooling fan works properly too. If you are into modifying stuff then the later cars had a low coolant warning light which can be retrofitted to the earlier cars I think. If you are REALLY worried about it then you could always take a spare headgasket and exapansion tank cap with you.