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MG MGF Technical - Mayonnaise

Ok, so I think I jinxed myself. After stating only on Friday that my F was running like a dream, an oil check at the weekend revealed mayonnaise on the dipstick :o(

My first reaction was that it was a head gasket failure, but I haven't experienced the steam billowing out of the rear vents and mucky sludge in the coolant expansion tank that you so often read about. However, the oil and coolant must have mixed (coolant level has dropped slightly), so it must be HGF right?

Jim
Jim

During winter months or high humidity a certain amount of moisture can get into the oil causing the 'dreaded mayonaise' syndrome - this can normally be cured by a long run which warms up the engine and oil sufficently to 'boil off' any moisture in the oil.

Ted
Ted Newman

Jim,

As you probably know the only other cause of water in the oil is condensation, which some people experience when using their cars just for very short journeys. This can give a small amount of mayo on the dipstick that goes after a good blast. BUT, if you've definitely experienced water loss at the same time then it does sound ominous. You mentioned in another thread a possible trip to TechSpeed soon. I'd call Roy/Marvin now and get them to check it immediately - they may even suggest trailering you in to be sure to catch it before it blows completely.

Dave
Dave

As Ted rightly says, condensation can cause some speckling on the dip-stick - not usually that much, and disappears following a good drive. That's the good news.

If however there is glopy mayo everywhere, and no evidence of 'normal' oil on the dip stick, then you are right to assume the worst :o(

The chaps at Techspeed will certainly be able to advise and sort this problem out for you, and the wheel issue too Jim :o)

I'll keep my fingers crossed that these are cheap-to-fix problems! :o)
Rob Bell

Jim, what age is your car... My 1996 car showed a bit of mayo last year but turned out to be a perished inlet manifold gasket Thanks to Mike Satur's suggestion I got the gasket replace and coolant system checked and lo and behold no more problems 12 months on. Later cars had a different inlet Manifold gasket fitted with better longevity, not too sure when they changed but I suspect circa 1998.

Also as Ted says might just be condensation in the engine. Don't Panic just yet.

Tim
tim woolcott

Useful info guys - thanks for the replies.

I guess it could be down to condensation, as my day to day runs are very short, and she hasn't had a good run since Christmas day. There isn't a lot of mayo, and there is 'normal' oil on the dipstick.

I guess my dilemma is whether to give her a good blast to try and 'boil off' any moisture. Of course the down side to this method is she could blow completely!

I do seem to be losing coolant, but this could be down to corroded coolant pipes, or a dodgy hose connection (either of which could be possible given her age - '96 MPi).

Maybe I'm just being paranoid given all the horror stories of HGF we hear.

Given that a couple of you have personal experience with TechSpeed, do you think a fault finding exercise with them would be expensive?

Would appreciate your thoughts before I ring Roy/Marvin and book her in.

Thanks in advance,
Jim
Jim

Jim,

A pressure test isn't going to cost you a great deal and you need to track down the leak anyway. TechSpeed's labour rates have to make them attractive enough for this given your location even if you discount their expertise and customer service! Call them and see what they advise.

Dave
Dave

>>do you think a fault finding exercise with them would be expensive?<<

No, I doubt that the fault finding is going to cost that much Jim. It's putting the faults right is where the costs usually stack up - and it's labour rather than parts that are the main contributer.

I've been consistently delighted with the service that I've recieved from the chaps at TS - and their labour rates are very competitive - so much so that I believe it worth my time and expense in taking my car to them from London!

If I were a betting man I'd say you have not got a HGF, and the coolant leak is due to corrosion of the rad/coolant pipes. But also get the inlet manifold gasket inspected (it should be green, rather than the original black gasket - bit of deja vu - been typing the same thing on another thread in the general section! LOL)
Rob Bell

Thanks Dave, I've just spoken to Roy, and TechSpeed are going to take a look tomorrow.

After my experiences with my local MGR dealer it was really nice to speak to someone who knew what they were talking about.

Roy offered to collect the car free of charge (probably as I'm quite local, but still great customer service and I can't imagine MGR offering the same!).

Will keep you posted with progress reports.

Thanks for all the advice.
Jim
Jim

>>I've been consistently delighted with the service that I've recieved from the chaps at TS<<

Only working on first impressions at the moment Rob, but have to agree. Bit of a bonus that they're on my doorstep as well :o)

Jim
Jim

Jim,

I've been taking my car to TechSpeed, a round trip of 160 miles, for the last two years and I've never failed to be impressed with their expertise and customer care. You're in good hands.

Dave
Dave

Dropped the car off at TechSpeed this lunchtime. They checked her over there and then.

Coolant pipes have started to rust, but they're still ok (for now) and the radiator is slightly corroded in one corner. However, the leak from the radiator might not account for the level of coolant loss I've been seeing. Also, looking at the dipstick again, there is quite a lot of 'gloop' (I think that's the technical term!) at the bottom of the sump, so could well be looking at HGF :o(

I'm going to wait for the phone call for the head gasket diagnosis, but might take this opportunity to get the 5 year service with cam belt change done as well (should save me some money in the long run).

When she was up on the ramps it was instantly clear that the alloy I spanked last Friday is buckled. Should hopefully be able to source a second hand one from either Mildand MGF or the MGF Centre for about £60.

After talking through things with Roy, he kindly drove me back to work (a round trip of some 15 miles). How about that for customer service.

So, not too happy as it's going to be quite an expensive month, but happy that my F is in safe hands.

Jim
Jim

I hope that the news is not as bad as it sounds Jim.

At least you know what the wheel problem is though. Midlands MGF have a good selection of wheels. Trouble is there is a strong temptation to change them all for a new style because they're such good value! LOL

When will you hear about the gasket viability?
Rob Bell

If Techspeed deal with it the same way as B&G did with mine, it'll be thirty seconds on the pressure tester and an instant (and free!) diagnosis.
David Bainbridge

Thanks Rob - Roy's going to give me a call hopefully later today or tomorrow morning. He did say if it has gone it looks like it's been caught early, so hopefully the long gasket bolts won't have stretched (gather it's quite pricey to replace 12 of the beggers!). Anyway, we'll see, I'll keep you posted.

Know what you mean about temptation to change the alloys! (just got the standard 1996 1.8i ones at the mo), however we'll see what the quote from TS comes through as.

Jim
Jim

Jim,

You've done the right thing. I had a very similar incident recently, discoverng mayo in the coolant tank. B&G took care of it, fitting a new head gasket. I lloked like mine was certainly on the way out but I, like you, caught it early before it went bang. I still ended up with a big bill, but it would have been alot worse if it had blown completely. So feel happy that you got it in time. Also the head gasket on your 96 is probably the old design - things changed after that and if you have it replaced you'll get the new improved one.
Best of luck with this - it's a depressing thing but once done you'll have a lot more confidence and you can put the HGF out of your mind - it seems everyone is due one at some stage!

Gordon
Gordon

Spoke to Roy at TechSpeed again this morning. After looking at the head gasket there does appear to be a small break in the seal. The majority of the coolant loss has been through a corroded part of the radiator, but a small amount has penetrated the head gasket causing the mayo I observed at the weekend.

So I’m looking at quite a large bill, but just look at what I’m getting for about £800:

Head gasket repair
5 year service including cam belt change
Reconditioned radiator
New coolant pipes
Rear brake pads

That’s quite a lot of work!

Guess I need to add my VIN number to the HGF hall of shame – whereabouts can I find this?

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Quite painful to be parted with such a large sum of money, but I’m taking the philosophical view that now I’ve had the 5 year service and head gasket replaced I’ll be keeping my F for many, many years to come (and summer is just round the corner so the cash to grin ratio will make the expense worth it!)

Jim
Jim

Jeepers, bad news Jim :o( Hall of shame can be found at http://www.shame.4mg.com

Regarding the rad and coolant pipes, it might be worth chatting to Roy to get his thoughts on replacing the rad for an alloy TF item, and the coolant pipes for alloy Mike Satur items.

I guess that the inlet manifold gasket will get replaced at the same time as the head gasket?

And if you are going to be spending so much money on the car anyway Jim, it might be time to get a set of lovely 16" wheels from the MGF Centre ;o) ;o) At least then you can see where some of the money went! ;o)

Can anyone resist the power of the Dark-side? LOL
Rob Bell

Jim, I don't suppose you can be tempted to do a little light head work whilst it's off. Dave Livingstone had Dave Andrews breath on his whilst he had the head off. Bit more money I know but could save you money in the long run :0)

Victoria at MGF Centre has some beautiful wheels including Eagle F1's for about 500 all in 01902 403045.

It's great when others help to spend your cash...I've been suckered into it too many times.
tim woolcott

Hi Rob, Tim,

Your suggestions are very tempting having seen a couple of the F's at TechSpeed (including a very agressive looking 190bhp track day car!).

As much as I'd love to have all the work done you've suggested (and go for a shiny new set of 16" wheels) - I think I'd be shot by both the missus and my bank manager!

I'm therefore just going for the frugal as french fries option.

In true Murphy's law fashion my warranty expired about three weeks ago, so I'll also be scouring the job papers this week for a second job to pay off my debts!

Jim
Jim

This thread was discussed between 03/03/2003 and 05/03/2003

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