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MG MGF Technical - head gasket?

Thinking of buying a low milage 1600 model but getting loads of put offs by everyone , all head gasket related is their a problem or would this be sorted on a 2002 model. Really like the car but unsure.
Should i go forthe 1800 plenty about at the moment.

Any advise gratefully received
l bailey

The 1600 and 1800 are both K series so it's no more likely to have Head Gasket failure. If you treat it with respect, don't rev the engine too hard until it's up to temp and change the coolant CORRECTLY and regularly etc etc then you shouldn't have any problems. All the mods that Rover made to the engine could most likely be on a 2002 model anyway. High milage isn't a problem on a K series engine so don't be too worried if you find a nice clean car with loads of miles on it, if it's got a good history then it should be ok. Also check the spec on the 1600 model, they were usually a fair bit different to an 1800, black door handle rather than colour coded, different interior trim etc. Hope this was some help, good luck in looking/purchasing.
Steve Tyler

From reading this BBS and unfortunately my own experience. It would seem if you can find one on which the head gasket has already been changed, and has gone 10k or so more miles with no further problems, it is least likely to suffer further HGF.
It seems generally to occur, if it's going to, at around the 20k mile mark - so maybe rule out very low mileage cars.
Probably the best advice I've read, is to take out an RAC or similar warranty for a couple of hundred quid, and keep the car properly serviced at a VAT registered garage, that way if anything goes wrong it'll only cost you a couple of days inconvenience.
The most important thing though is be happy with whatever type of car you decide on, and don't let scare stories put you off. My mate just bought a "bullet proof" MX5, 48k on the clock, did less than 200 miles in it and the water pump seized resulting in a snapped cam belt.
Be happy
G
g hampson

<<If you treat it with respect, don't rev the engine too hard until it's up to temp and change the coolant CORRECTLY and regularly etc etc then you shouldn't have any problems>>

NOT quite right. On EVERY F around HGF is to be expected no matter how much tender love & care you put on it. Getting a warranty may be a good advise if you buy it. Anyway do not forget that there are many other controversial issues with the F as there is no replacement for the hydragas units. This is an unique suspension system for this car and if your hydragas units fail which is not uncommon you will struggle to get a replacement. That if you can get a replacement at all.
g slovak

Well...hello again Mr Pullar!
S R Kenyon-Edwards

<This is an unique suspension system for this car>

Yes and an excellent system at that.

<and if your hydragas units fail which is not uncommon>

Most certainly IS uncommon.

<you will struggle to get a replacement. That if you can get a replacement at all>

Readily available from suppliers including the MGOC.

Why try and spread stories that are untrue!
Ted Newman

We have successfully fitted a valve to a hydragas unit and recharged the nitrogen. Not only recovers the unit but provides adjustable rate as well.
Paul Walbran

You may find this actual thread interesting:

<M Cunningham 1, Strathclyde, United Kingdom
I went to the talk by Vehicle Handling Solutions on F & TF suspension at MGF10, and they said that the TF hardware could be retrofitted with relatively minor mods. I was very interested, as I hope to include this in my F's 10th birthdy treat. Alan Philips from VHS sent me this email -
"the TF axle assemblies were essentially designed for just that purpose. That is to cater for owners like youself who don't necessarily want to change the whole car but rather upgrade it. There is however a difference in the body clearances at the front of the car that you should be aware of. Despite keeping the damper tower tops as low as we could on the TF subframe we couldn't quite clear the panel above the hydragas bottle. The solution for the TF was to introduce a piercing for the damper top to poke through. That hole you will need to put in on your car. You can simply copy this hole size and position from any TF. With the bonnet open you can see the panels and the top of the dampers poking through.
At the rear it is a straight forward bolt in job. The only real complication is moving a brake pipe on the left side of the rear bulkhead to clear the compliance bush on the new TF rear axle design.
If you can get a pair of std 05 axles that gives you the comfort spec ride settings if not we can provide a comfort kit for the earlier TF specs. Any problems give us a shout."
I know this topic has come up previously, but it won't hurt to keep it alive - just hope there isn't going to be a shortage of TF parts! >
AR White

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2006 and 20/01/2006

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