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MG MGF Technical - Hates the rain

In the last year my MGF VVC 1997 has started playing up if left in the rain.The car just won't start,the engine turns over but doesn't fire.If I leave it in the garage for 2 days it goes again.Does anyone know what the problem is?
Another problem I noticed is the ''creamy ''look to the oil on the dipstick,is this head gasket problems,doesn't look like oil in water but I find it difficult to see in there properly.
Anyone know?
Rose

Rose the electrics are below the vents in front of the boot. I had this problem and use a piece of magnetic signage material to lay over it when parked overnight in rain. It also seems to different if the car is facing up or down a slope. Try parking the other way round if you're on a slope.
Ddraig

Probebly water getting on the coils and or plug leads, try replaceing the leads and give everything a good spray of WD40.

For fun you could try to start it in the dark and see if you can see the arcing
Will Munns

Oh, I meant put the material over the vents.
You're right Will, but I didn't bother when I could stop the water getting in in the first place.
Ddraig

Thanks for the replies,I will try all ideas and especially while trying to figure out the problem will try the signage strip oer the vents on the wet days.
Am still wondering what the problem is with the 'creamy' look to the oil on the dipstick,this almost disappears if I take the car on a long run.??Is moisture getting in somewhere?Or could it be the head gasket? I am sure it was replaced 4 years ago when cam belt done.
Thanks Rose
Rose

Milkiness on the top of the dipstick is quite normal in winter, but if the actual oil on the bottom of the dipstick is milky then you have a problem. The plastic dipstick housing tends to stay cool and attracts condensation which emulsifies the oil vapour at the top of the dipstick.

Oh, and dont worry about condensation/mayo transferring to the 'ball' at the bottom as you withdraw the dipstick.

HTH

Pete
P. Davey

Does your temp gauge rise to the middle and stop - or does it sometimes fall a little. You could have a faulty thermostat.

That or the engine doesn't get chance to get warm, journeys of less than 3 miles will not start to burn off any moisture, the oil collects moisture from the combustion and to stay healthy it need to be heated thru regurally.
Will Munns

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2007 and 01/08/2007

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