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MG MGF Technical - Another HGF statistic! - some advice please

Well the inevitable happened today - my wife was driving - oil temp gauge in the red and loads of steam! - haven't seen the car yet, but all indications are that it is an HGF. I know she doesn't thrash the car (never >3000 rpm) and it's a cool day - I also checked coolant levels less than a week ago

Luckily we should be covered by the Reg Vardy warranty that we bought with the car (bought last September)

Advice required - what should I ask the dealer (MGR - Darlington) to ensure happens during the repair?

Bearing in mind it is an MGR dealer, so I won't be able to ask for any MS mods., I have read about upgrades to various items:-

- dowels
- the gasket itself
- hoses
- hose clips

what are the things that appointed MGR dealers should be doing as a matter of course?

For the statiticians amongst you - '97 BRG VVC, ~30K miles

Also - special mention of the excellent (to date) service through Vardy Care (the warranty) - my wife had a hire car within 70 mins., with car being delivered to garage 50 miles away subsequently

We've only got it for 48 hours, so expect a lively converstation to ensue, surrounding the delays in obtaining parts that I have read about recently!
Philip

Steel dowels and the revised HG should be a given as they are all MGR OE parts. It's probably worth checking the hoses, clips and radiator because they would all be somewhat corroded (mine were and mine's a '98).
Andy Gilhooley

It needn't be a HGF Philip - my car suffered the same fate with my wife at the wheel (hmm, odd parrallel there).

Turned out to be nothing more sinister than the expansion coolant cap having failed.

I'd advise you thoroughly check the car out yourself before being advised to have the head gasket replaced unnecessarily.

For a suggested list of checks, see http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/HGF_diagnosis.htm
Rob Bell

As Rob mentioned not always a HGF but depends how much coolant came out and where it was leaking from.

One main cause does seem to be the expansion cap failing and when mine went I asked for the newer version with a white spot to be put on even though the original was okay.

Tom
Tom Randell

If the oil temp was in the red and the water all gone for any length of time then you will probably have to have the head skimmed or even worse, replaced. I did!
Sympathy!

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

May not be applicable in your case Philip as it is a warrantee job, but a full stage 1 gas flowing of the old head is cheaper than buying a new one...

SF
Scarlet Fever

Back in jan this year my oil temp started soaring, steam emerging from back vents etc. On opening the boot lid i found no coolant visable. I feared the worst.Luckily no HGF just needed to replace the underside coolant pipes, has showed no signs of problems since. Davey.
Davey

Can now confirm it definitely was an HGF - the garage have also pointed out that the radiator needs replacing (apparantly only generating 50% of it's potential cooling power)

They have agreed to replace the cam belt for cost of the belt + 1 hour labour (it's 5 years old so due for a replacement) - I take this to be a good offer, bearing in mind what it will save me.

So far so good - I am pleased with the service that I am getting from the MGR dealer - Reg Vardy (Darlington)

By coincidence have taken my wife's Rover 25 into the more local MGR dealership in Leeds - Harewood Rover (only recently opened) - have been impressed with their customer service so far also - perhaps the dealerships are getting the message that customer service is important

I'm not a fan of the JD Power type surveys in terms of gauging the true accuracy, but I'm sure car companies do take them with a degree of seriousness, which can only be good for consumers in the long run
Philip

Very sorry to hear this Phil, may i enquire to the age and milage of the car?
Mike MEGA

it's all there for those that can be bothered to read.....
David

Another HGF victim, although lucky as I caught it before it overheated.

Has anyone changed the HG themselves and are there any pitfalls or specialist equipment required.
Dave

This thread was discussed between 28/05/2002 and 05/06/2002

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