MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - water pumps

I have an MGF and in the last three years I have had the water pump replaced 4 times. It has just failed again this time 2 months out of guarentee with the having done 12000 miles. I think this is very unusual. Does anyone know why water pumps fail? And what is a reasonable life span?
Jane Hudson

Jane

I'm not a mechanic nor a water pump expert but ...

Yes, it is very unusual. Would be nice if the garage found the cause rather than just the result.

I'm sure that you will soon be inundated with reports of 60 - 90000 miles with original water pump. I recently sold a 50000 car with original pump and pipes.

Hopefully, somebody may be able to make a diagnosis for you.

Good luck
JohnP

>>Does anyone know why water pumps fail? And what is a reasonable life span? <<

I agree, it is very unusual.
Typical failure would be the bearing in the pump shaft - water pumps are so simple, it's unlikely to be anything else. What's happening to your pumps ?

I'd consider myself 'unlucky' to have to replace one in the lifetime of the engine - only done it once in the last 20 years (not the MG).
To replace 4 in 3 years shows there's either a problem in the fitting procedure, or the conditions the pump is operating in.
Get a competent engineer to look at one (or more, if you have them) of the failed pumps.
Steve

with John and Steve on this - clearly a problem specific to your car. Ours is N reg, 60k miles and all original except for the head gasket :-)
David S

4 pumps in 3 yrs? something is going on here!!! have a go at the garage!



Neil

If it is bearings it could be the belt adjusted too tight, if the seal it could be over-pressure but that would surely show in other ways like leaks from the cap and other joints. Does it fail because of leaking or by making a horrible noise?
Tony

This thread was discussed on 08/12/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now