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MG MGF Technical - HGF or Water Pump?

I've lost water from cooling system, AA have checked the car and think it's the Water Pump. No oil in cooling system, no mayo and they carried out an emissions gas test and it appears fine.

Garage now says it is the head gasket!

Car was due for a 60K service does it work out cheaper having the head gasket replaced at the same time?

If it is head gasket this will be my 2nd has anyone been successful asking MG to contribute to cost if car is out of warranty?

Thanks
R Williams

RW, Why do the garage think it's the Head gasket ?
MIke
Mike

>Garage now says it is the head gasket!

Could be TADTS, in which case they're trying to fleece you, alternativly you could have gone thru the HG after overheating the engine due to bust waterpump.
I would get a second opinion.

If the water pump is comming out then the cam belt could be changed at the same time, lessening the cost of the repair/service combo, same as the HG/service combo.
Will Munns

Garage says they took the inspection cover off - and had a look is there such a thing as an inspection cover -thought they would need to take head off to see head gasket?
R Williams

Inspectio cover is the plate above the engine and under the hood shelf carpet - just enables them to see a lot more than peering through the gap at the back.

They should then be able to see where the car is allowing water to escape from and some points are then obvious as to the problem.

Ted
Ted Newman

The inspection cover is simply the engine cover under the parcel shelf.

Very difficult to see the water pump from this angle - but water can often be seen pouring out from the left front corner of the engine (above the alternator/ exhaust manifold) if the head gasket has gone, from this perspective (see http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/hgf_pages/HGF_images/leaking_HG.JPG).

See http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/hgf_pages/HGF.htm for more info...
Rob Bell

Last year my head gasket and my waterpump failed... in which order, I don't know ! I'd say the water pump first because I spotted the HGF directly and stopped driving almost directly...

If you have an HGF at the "usual place" (above alternator), you will see water escaping from the head if you remove the inspection cover, as Rob already said. It will make also lots of steam.
In my case, the failed waterpump was much more obvious to spot : water was pouring in large amounts from the waterpump... (you can see it from under)

Anyway, in your case, you'll need a coolant bleeding/refill, cambelt change, waterpump change, so at this stage, having the HG changed won't double the bill. I'd say it's roughly an extra 3 hours work, plus the costs of all gaskets (£50 ? don't remember). The waterpump isn't very expensive either.
Fabrice

This thread was discussed on 22/04/2003

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