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MG MGF Technical - Water Loss


I seem to be loosing some coolant from the Expansion Bottle for the cooling system.
is this normal ?...
Engine is running at the mark just under half way so its not overheating.. HELP !
Phil Jones

No, it's not normal.

Check for leaks under the car after standing overnight. If you can get underneath then check for leaks from front right hand side of engine, the coolant pipes running from front to back ie to radiator at the front and also check inside the car for leaks around the heater at the front below the centre of the dash. Water can collect under the carpet without the carpet feeling damp, so peel back the carpet and get in there.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Phil, where are you topping up to ? If you look in the header bottle there is a small level marker bar at right angles to the back wall of the bottle . Fill to just below this mark. If I fill mine above it, water disappears until just below it. If I fill to just below it, it stays rock steady.
David

Thanks for the info, I top-up to just above the seam,...there is no overheating at all , runs smooth , runs at the mark just under half way.
Am I right in thinking I just add the coolant from the MG Garage neat ?.... or do I need to water it down..

Phil Jones

Water it down 50-50.

Another thing to check is the state of your oil. Remove the dipstick and check for white milky sludge (commonly called mayonnaise). If there is sludge in the oil then suspect that the head gasket is leaking water into your oil.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Thanks Bruce about the 50/50 info...
checked the oil and is ok...no mayo at all :-)
I will just have to monitor it , is normal summer coolant ok or does it have to be the stuff from the MG garage ?
Phil Jones

Phil,

As Bruce says water loss is not normal - it has to be going somewhere. Given the delicacy of the Fs cooling system it is worth trying to track this loss down. Get a trusted garage to do a pressure test to see if there are any obvious leaks. I'm presuming your car is older and not under warranty?

Dave
Dave

>is normal summer coolant ok or does it have to be the stuff from the MG garage ?
If you don't have the correct stuff then use water, don't mix.
Remember that the system has a capacity around 5 litres, adding a pint or two to a 50/50 mixture is not going to change the protection much.

Will
Will Munns

Will take it to my local MG dealership to get it checked out.
Is due for the big service with cam belt so will ask them to have a look when they strip it down.
Its an R reg so its well out of warranty :-(
Best get it done before the summer ...lots of posing to be done !!!

Thanks to all who submitted reply's

Cheers from Wales UK

Phil
Phil Jones

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2003 and 11/03/2003

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