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MG MGF Technical - water leak fixed... no, now it's even worse

Hi Everyone

I've had pretty much everything done on my Nreg MGF vvc, including the head gasket a year ago.

Over Christmas the car was losing water. I was concerned so took it to Brown & Gammons as they were the closest to where I was.

They replaced the radiator, and the water pump (which, after looking at my records, had been done a year before). They did not replace any hoses.

One month later, and the car is still losing water, and it now has steam coming out.

I took it to a local garage to have a look (as it is a two hour drive to baldock), and they are suggesting that the radiator could have had an air lock, and this caused the pressure which has now blown a hose. (this was suggested by two separate mechanics).

The bottom line is, the car is now pressuring up too high and appears to have blown the head.

I don't know what to do, as B&G are saying there is next to no chance it was there issue, and so I have no come back and now have no car!

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Catherine
C Stewart

Oh, one more thing - there is no water in the oil, and I don't detect any oil in the water...
C Stewart

This does sound like a very similar problem to what I had - namely coolant loss leading to overheating, leading to hose failure, leading to massive coolant loss, leading to massive overheating and softening of the cylinder head and subsequent blow-past the fire rings leading to cooling system pressurisation.

Pointing the finger of guilt is very difficult. I am not sure how you could persue this. In my case, there wasn't anyone or anything to blame - so I shrugged my shoulders, and got on with planning the replacement of the head and gasket (plus other usual sundries).

In your case, I guess you could ask B&G whether they tested the cylinder head hardness and liner heights. Talk to Malcolm about the circumstances and voice any concerns you have - it is the only way he'll be able to understand your issues.

Sorry to hear the bad news - but it can be fixed.
Rob Bell

Rob,

My head gasket has gone again. The garage are doubtful the cylinder head as its not flat and has been skimmed already.
What was the cost of your new head ?

Jon.
Jon Baker

There could be two simple reasons for the over heating of the engine. which should be check first in all cases. (and the cheapest) First Make sure that you have the correct rad. cap. If you have p[ut on the incorrect pressure cap It will cause over heating, Then I would replace the thermostat. If it isn't working correctly it will not let cool water into the block. Now you said you blew the head gasket. I always mill the head before putting on a new gasket. If it doesn't need it the shop will tell you. But check out the top of the block with a straight edge & the head. Also check for cracks. No use to put back on a bad head. Hope this helps you.
John Terschak

Oh! Yes I forgot to ask is the heater Leaking? Check the floor of the car & under the dash after the engine has been hot for a while.
John Terschak

I got my head from the MGF Centre. It cost about 100 quid IIRC...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 28/02/2006 and 01/03/2006

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