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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Water pump by-pass hose

My 58 year-old radiator has sprung a leak, so while it's out I thought l'd go a bit deeper and take the opportunity to check/ change the notorious by-pass hose. It was clogged up with sediment. Question is:- why would you want to by-pass the water pump? Thanks, Dave
David Cox

IIRC it's not bypassing the water pump but the thermostat, it allows a small but continuous flow around the head/block when the thermostat is closed.
David Billington

Makes sense, David...thanks..
David Cox

IIRC some variants don't have them, instead the thermostat has a small hole in it so never completely closes.
AdrianR

Later A series heads - MG Metro, don't have the bypass.
GuyW

"Later A series heads - MG Metro, don't have the bypass."

The Metro had a different plumbing arrangement. There was another housing between the 'stat housing and the head.

Dave O'Neill 2

My MG Metro headed Sprite has neither! Presumably because I used a standard Stat housing. Doesn't seem to cause it any sort of problems although I did drill the thermostat flange.
GuyW

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2024 and 15/07/2024

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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