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MG MGF Technical - coolant level

I have recently bought a M.G F and have noticed that the coolant level drops very quickly.e.g in one occasion it emptied completly within one week. no warning light , just lots of smoke from the engine compartment. I took it back to the dealer who pressure tested it and found a slight leakage.A new water pump was fitted. within one week I noticed the coolant level significantly reduced again.Was informed by the dealership that it could be an air lock, so therefore topped up the coolant level again.This has again dropped after one week. The dealership inform me that the coolant level is "self leveling" i.e it drops to the ridge line on the header tank, in order to allow air expansion.Also noticed on the oil dipstick, some white grime.(oil check was fine).Told this was condensation.Im a bit worried this might be the head gasket. Any ideas?
I only drive the car approx 12 miles a day.Should the coolant drop so quickly? Is is worth changing the cooling system as reommended in the manual(the car is now 4 yrs old).
Michelle

Upsss, not really an expert, but I think it sounds likely as a HGF.

Is the car still under warranty?

Good luck
Spinder00

Michelle, how old is your MGF?

Yes, dropping coolant could mean HGF - but equally, coolant could be leaking from corroded coolant pipes under the car, leaking radiator, damaged/ faulty coolant expansion cap etc.

Inlet manifold gaskets also fail - particularly on early 1.8i Fs.

The white stuff on the dipstick could be condensation - depends on how much there is: if the dipstick is smothered in the stuff, then it is HGF. :o(
Rob Bell

Michelle

Second Rob's comments. Easy to assume HGF without also considering less dramatic reasons. Had inlet manifold gasket fail on P715XTN (early 1.8i!), had all the symptoms of HGF but alert dealer spotted the difference. Still expensive, but not so expensive.

Must admit not comfortable with the dealer being so relaxed about an air lock.

PS Rob, Michelle says fours years old ... must have been a hard week for you not to notice :-) !

Chris
Chris Reeves

noticed "self leveling i.e it drops to the ridge line on the header tank"

The correct level is the ridge line half way up the tank COLD.
JohnP

Michelle
This all sounds like HGF - falling coolant level and mayo on the dip stick normally means coolant leaking into the oil.
However if you are only doing 12 miles a day the engine is hardly getting warmed up and the milkiness in the oil just might be condensation.
Also remember to keep a light throttle with revs kept below 3000rpm until the oil temperature is pretty well up to 120 deg. (this depends on the gauge)
Then you can give it one!
The engine is very vulnerable to HGF until it is fully warmed-up, then the alloy components will have expanded and tightened up the joints.
Have had my car for over 3 years with no coolant loss.
Trust garage is an MGR dealer - they should be very aware of this problem. Good luck.
Pete
Pete Tipping

This thread was discussed on 24/03/2005

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