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MG MGF Technical - Head Gasket to be replaced

I need to have the Head Gasket replaced on my MGF and was wondering if anyone can offer any advice regarding a good garage/dealers to go to.

I live an equal distance between the dealers at Battersea and the one in Epsom. Firstly, can anyone recommed either of these? And secondly are there any other non MGF garages in SW London that can be recommmeded to replace a head gasket?
Any other advice would also be highly appreciated as I am doing this on a budget.
JDD

JDD,

If you are referring to EMC (Epsom Motor Group) then I personally wont even buy parts from them due to their previous incompetence. Certainly wouldn't get any work done there. BUt they must do some good work as they have been in business for a while.

I have no experience of the Battersea dealer, but would recommend G. Kingsbury in Hampton which must be on your radar. Been using them for 9 years for the F and now TF.

But, remember that any (ex) main MGR dealer will be expensive for HG replacement - possibly in the order of £1k. Cheaper places will certainly be specialists, of which there aren't too many in the SE. You could investigate trailer costs to Brown & Gammons or slightly further to Techspeed.

Local garages will be able to do the work, but it is the bleeding of the system afterward which it is imperative to get right to prevent airlocks which they may not be expert at.
David Mills

JDD and David,
I don't know about other garages but B&G have a jig that fills a system and automatically bleeds it, they virtually guarantee no air locks. They done mine when they replaced my front sub frame, never had a problem since.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Summit Motors at Maidenhead - a little out of London but woth considering for the South East. I've no personal experience of them, I'm afraid.
Russell Parslow

Adrian,
what you are describing is the MGR standard vacuum jig which is prescribed by MGR for all MGR approved service agents. B&G were part of the MGR approved service agents which is why they have one, as should every MGR (ex) dealer.

My advice was about some other garages which may be mechanically competent, but perhaps do not know how important the bleeding procedure is for F/TF and do not have such a tool.
David M

David,
Absolutely right, I agree it is crucial.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Whilst I agree the jig does a bloody good job it can also be done properly without - IF - you (they) know what they are doing.
Ted Newman

This thread was discussed between 31/05/2005 and 09/06/2005

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