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MG MGF Technical - HGF

Three weeks ago I had my head gasket replaced by B&G for £650 after they had diagnosed the problem of loosing water.

Still loosing water and following another visit to B&G (a 2 hour travelling time) they think it could be my radiator.

Can I go anywhere to have this done, the endless trips to Baldock is starting to annoy my wife.

How much might it cost?


T Graveling

Sounds like, "hmm, water, must be HGF".

How old is the car?
If old, has the Inlet manifold gasket ever been changed(the old ones perish)?

If it is the radiator, you could change it in a car park, but it is more usual for the hose clips to go, if you don't get any pools of water after a long drive then check you footwell, if coolant leaks in there it is very difficult to see, but pushing hard on the carpets shows it up.
Will Munns

If the car is 5-6 years old then corroding coolant pipes could be another cause of water loss.

Radiators can be re-cored for about £80, rather than going for a full replacement.

James
Jim Hosking

The rads always fail at 5-6 years, and as Jim says, the under body coolant pipes are another 'favourite' area for leaks (usually go around the retaining clamps)
Rob Bell

Hmmm, I live very close to B&G, but take my car to Mike Satur.

Give the wife a nice day out in Yorkshire!

Speculation is all well and good, but you just want it fixed, and £650 seems to justify this!
Chris

Likely causes other than HGF

Radiator
Radiator bleed screw (is plastic and if overtightened the head can shear off)
Hose clips (these are cr*p)
Underbody coolant pipes (corrode from the inside out)
Expansion tank cap
Inlet manifold gasket (more relevant on a VVC due to return pipe to expansion tank cast into the inlet manifold)

HTH

SF
Scarlet Fever

plastic heater take off pipes can crack /leak.
mike

Ah this all sounds familiar!!! I had exactly the same, but fortunatly my F was only booked in for a replacement Head Gasket! Good old Rover boys just "Presumed". Same day I was just making a quick trip out and the back of my car looked like a pressure cooker. Called the AA who diagnosed the fault as the radiator, they towed me to the Rover garage showed them what you would ythink they would already know and I got the whole lot (New radiator, pipes, coolant, expansion tank cap & a new temp sensor), replaced for £400 Incl labour!!! And yep mines 6 years old!

Graham
Graham Elleray

If your loooking for a radiator - there is a new one for sale on www.mgf.co.uk for only £70.00.

Cheers,
Dave
Dave

This thread was discussed between 09/06/2003 and 12/06/2003

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