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MG MGF Technical - Overheating

I seem to have a regular problem with my MGF overheating. Its just happened again. In fact, I had the radiator/the radiator fan/both rear suspensions replaced last December, so for this to happen again so soon seems very odd especially as its not even due for a service for another 2 months.

Is this a regular problem ? Does it have something to do with the design ?

I have not been able to dig up any information and I'm afraid that the local service agent is not sharing all the relevant facts and I'm tired of feeling like I'm getting ripped off ! Any advice would be most appreciated ...

Fatima

My engine bay fan seems to be coming on a hell of a lot lately in normal driving conditions (not stuck in traffic or driving fast).

Any reason for its increase in use (is there a problem)? If anything I thought it would come on less with the cooler weather starting to come in!
Chris

Fatima,

Can you elucidate on over heating? Do you mean it boiled over, the temp went up on the gauge, you noticed the fan/s on or what? How old is the car? What was the last service and why was the radiator replaced?

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Hi Fatima, more explanation could be helpful. Just like Bruce suggested.

Australia should not be that hot right now in the weather condition wise, and definately shouldn't overheat at all. There are a lot things that you could look at but we need more description of your symptoms please.
:)



Hanah Kim

Hi Fatima, like Bruce and Hanah Kim, said you must give us more details about your F overeating, If is overeating in slow moving traffic, like mine was, you could be in trouble soon, to prevent this to happen you better replace the ECU temp sensor, the instructions are in http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/hgf_diagnosis.htm and is very easy to do it yourself, If is this kind of overeating you solve the problem very quickly.
Bye Joao
Joao Barros Gomes

I have the MGF Abingdon which was a limited edition release in 1998, it will be 4 in November. The last service was December 2001 and its not due for another service until November 2002. THe problem back in December was that the car had lowered due to a leaky suspension which led to further damage to the suspension, damage to the radiator, radiator fan and all 4 tyres - as such, all these were replaced.

Not at any stage was the MGF's unique suspension system and potential side effects explained to me. Unfortunately it took these serious problems late last year to learn but only after I did my own research on the web.

Bruce, to answer your questions - the car boiled over and the temperature gauge went up. Not sure if the fans were on (this however occurs regularly while moving/idle and gets very loud). I was driving at roughly 60km in busy traffic on a warm day. The coolant is now practically empty, but was at normal state before the problem.

Thanks guys, hope these help narrow down. I'm actually taking it in for a service this morning, will post back their feedback.
Fatima

Just received some feedback from the service agent. Apparantly the Reservoir Tank has cracked where the seam is and needs to be replaced. Luckily its not very expensive to remedy !!! He did indicate that its the first time they've noticed this fault and has no idea what could has caused it !!!

Must say I'm really fed up with all these problems !!!
Fatima

Hi Fatima,

Thanks for the further info. Up until your comments about the cracked tank I would have thought that the garage, when replacing the radiator, had not bled your cooling system correctly. The cracked tank would have obviously led to de-pressurisation of the coolant thus alowing it to boil. Localised boiling can lead to very hot spots within your engine and airlocks, so make sure the garage bleeds your system from all three bleed points. One on the radiator, one on the engine and one on the heater which is accesible from under the front bonnet/hood. And make sure they replace the header tank cap; these have been a source of de-pressurisation in the past. They had some faulty ones which leaked. The new ones usually have a spot of white paint on the top.

Crucial to bleed the system correctly and completely.

Was the problem with the suspension a sudden failure or did it happen over some time? It sounds like it was sudden and you struck something like a speed bump to do all that damage. Make sure the tracking is OK. BBS usual advice is to go for 5 mins toe IN at the front.

Good luck and happier motoring!

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2002 and 17/09/2002

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