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MG MGF Technical - help... MGF Overheat problem & Fuse going

In Bf's X reg MGF (special edition) at weekend and the expansion tank at the back boiled over - steam coming out, the works. Had been fine all the way up from Dover but we hit a queue of traffic in the sun on the M25 nr heathrow and suddenly everything went pear shaped. Got it home (tow truck) and found the Cooling fan fuse had blown. Thinking this was the problem we replaced the fuse, refilled the water, only to have the same thing happen again after about 15mins driving - again steam etc and fuse gone. Anyone have any ideas please? Also know any reliable MGF People near Windsor? (Where the car is)
Melissa

Melissa.

This can be quite common. Because the front radiator fan is vary rarely used it can stick!, and when it does needs to come on the extra power required to kick start the fan can blow the fuse!.

First job is change the Fan fuse from 15amp to 20amp, (MGR did this on latter cars)this gives a little extra insurance when fan first kicks in!.
second job, ask your BF if he can get access to the front fan and give it a spin manualy!, perhaps spray a little WD40 etc at the same time, this will help free off the motor if the bushes have stuck a little!.

HTH
Mark.L

Summit Motors at Maidenhead are supposed to be good for MGs.

I seem to remember that someone suggested changing the fuse from 15 to 20Amp.
Deite has it on his site but I can't find the root cause of the problem right now.
http://www.mgfcar.de/index.htm
Russell Parslow

Many thanks for that!

That sounds a lot more hopeful than the general verdict he has had so far... People keep saying it's likely the head gasket has gone. It'only done 36K miles - surely it should have a few more in it before this is a problem?



Melissa
Melissa

>>People keep saying it's likely the head gasket has gone

This is a danger, as water loss will lead to HGF if left unchecked. However, hopefully, you caught the situation before it had time to significantly overheat the engine and blow the gasket. Take car though. If a lot of water was lost, it would be worth getting the system bled, as air may have entered the system and this could also lead to HGF.

Going back to the cause of further overheating - as well as Mark's advise with the fan and the 20amp fuse, you might want to replace the expansion bottle cap. It's possible that this could also now be not holding pressure. They are so cheap, it's a precaution worth taking.
Dave Livingstone

@Russell,
Right point.
It's dead easy ... (almost??) ;) to find informations on site. Just add what you look for, cause most stuff is put to individual subfolders.
--> Fuse ?
So it's http://www.mgfcar.de/fuse/
:)

@Melissa,
there are two options for the blown fan fuse.
Already said is 20Amp fuse cause of sticky bearings.

Second cause is a damaged fan wire isolation with short circuit to ground. See for it below the car by following the both wires from the fan motor backwards.

Fully agree with Daves suggestions though.


HTH
Dieter
Dieter

Many thank you for all your help & advice. Unfortunately Head Gasket needs to be replaced :( Oh well - at least will know about fuses etc for the future!
Melissa

Mellisa,
Fairly new on the market now is a low level water sensor.

I have had mine fitted for just over 2000 miles now and it works perfectly.

In a nutshell, if the water level drops an alarm, light and buzzer, goes off inside the car. That should give you time to stop and address the problem, what it could do is save the head gasket.

Although you did not lose much water some escaped as steam, therefore the alarm would have alerted you to the fact and you could have stopped in time.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

This thread was discussed between 11/07/2005 and 13/07/2005

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