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MG MGF Technical - HGF: Will happen to every MG?

I own a 1997 MGF 1.8 MPI with only 30k on the clock -week-ends use only-. All the information I get from this Forum lead me to be most paranoid about the possibility of HGF. I am not anylonger really enjoying driving this car. Apparently every single MGF in the world will come to HGF. Any possible way to prevent it? How is it possible that all the Fs are aflicted with this problem that is absolutely unrelevant in every other car, and beyond that, how is it possible that no reliable correction have been found yet?
Brian Sinclair-Smith

9 yrs and 60k miles up
no sign of HGF

BUT paranoid about water levels so I check the water level EVERY time I open the boot!

water leaks cause the head t get damaged and then HGF is inevitable, just keep an eye on the water.
Neil

..."How is it possible that all the Fs are aflicted with this problem that is absolutely unrelevant in every other car"...

Not true lots of cars pop HG's.If they don't do that then most cars suffer form at least one Achille's heel.Don't be paranoid, just enjoy your driving.
Pete

To be fair it's not specifically an MGF problem - it's a K-Series engine problem. To be even more fair, *any* engine (not just the K-Series) can fail, and without maintenance *will* fail sooner or later. Take a look next time you see a car broken down on the side of the road with the bonnet (or boot!) up. Chances are it's not an MGF (...now watch me get proved wrong ;) )

There are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of it happening to you (keeping an eye on the coolant level being #1 on the list, right above #2: keep the engine under 3K rpm until the oil is up to working temp). Brown & Gammons have a coolant level warning sensor you can fit. There are also aftermarket thermostats and various other parts that may help.

Even if you have a HGF it's not necessarily a catastrophic engine failure if you catch it early.

You can also take out AA parts and labour cover for £58pa, which should cover most of the cost if the worst happens, and *if* it does then you are still in the minority, and it'll probably only happen once assuming you get the job done right.

Whether you manage 60K miles or (like me) have a HGF 6 weeks after picking up your car (2nd hand with only 17K on the clock) you shouldn't let the possibility of it hapening spoil your enjoyment of driving the car.
Al

If man makes it, man can break it!
Ted Newman

10 years and no MGF, these they said were the weaker cars !!

Forget about it, get your AA waranty and drive it.

No one else can, they don't make em anymore !

Brian

1997 MGF VVC, had HGF about 18months ago, engine didn't overheat, but did steam a lot ! Garage who did work changed Head Gasket for an uprated one, no problems since, still doesn't use any oil between services, and the coolant is still bang on, BUT I check every time I drive the car ( in this weather only at weekends ! ).
The reason for HGF on K series engines is basically due to the gasket design and a plastic locating dowel. Most after market suppliers ( Brown and Gammons etc ) will be able to advise on replacement head gaskets, if you are really worried, whip the head off, change the gasket, put an uprated/updated one in and take the opportunity to change the timing belt.
I would worry more about the timing belt than the head gasket, it can do more damage !!
J Smith

10 years, 90000 miles and no HGF. Never worried about keeping it under 3000rpm before it's warmed up, just check the coolant level every time the boots open! The car is a daily driver and a weekend track day toy.
Everyones got ideas and theories about what causes HGF and how to prevent it but it comes down to looking after your engine as best as you can. Early K's with the plastic dowels are more prone but i've worked on lots of early MGFs and we've had loads go through our workshop with no worries of HGF, even coolant loss has been "definate HGF" by the AA/RAC but has turned out to be an Expansion Bottle cap fault. Most of the time early signs of HGF is coolant loss so just keep an eye on this and if the dreaded HGF does comes your way then hopefully you'll catch it fast enough not to cause more problems like a warped head or a sludged up cooling system.
Steve Tyler

I have just put a new thread under the title H.G.F I hope this is of some use all the info came from the M.G stand at this year classic car show NEC
paul

Steve

I heard of this possible Expansion Bottle Cap failure from my local MGR agent, that was, and have carried a new spare one in the boot ever since. Apparently they can corrode and once they leak of course the coolant will boil as the engine is designed to run so hot. 104 deg C I read somewhere...?

I too watch that coolant level like a hawk. Ensure its level with the bottle's seam to approx 1/4" above. I also keep below 3K rpm until oil up to temp - as our steel bolted, aluminium K series has to be like a bag of bones until it's hot. Check out the design layout... I believe a certain respect for all cold engines myself.
Now at 25K in my 2000 1.8i "F" - no trouble...

Pete
Pete Tipping

Hi Brian.I sympathise greatly with your apprehension(please see my posts of 3 and 5 Nov).Suffice to say I was bloody angry at this car when I had the HGF in France.I had observed all the maintenance /checking aspects extremely meticulously(as I do with any car I've had)the thing has led a pampered life over my 5 yrs with it and yet it still blows.It seems that what may have actually caused HGF may have been the water pump packing up but for Heaven's sake I know the car is 97 but it only has 38k on the clock and this is a MODERN car so such things simply should not happen.Whilst we have had the F we had a Puegot 106 diesel-4 years 84k,not a peep or cough.Others the same.But we like MGs and always have.So what do you do?Answer,get an F and drive in a state of concern I suppose.You can't help it I'm afraid if you are the conscientious type and know there's a fair chance it going to hit you.I'm past caring now after the £850 bill.I think the guys advising AA warranty have probably got it right but as with anything to do with the AA read the fine print.Good luck.Mose
mose

>Early K's with the plastic dowels are more pro...>
What are those plastic dowels and were are they located?. Is it possible to replace them and any good in doing that? Another question/s if I may: what type of gasket to get as a replacement and were to to get it? thanks.
John Healey

John, if you need dowels and/or gaskets in Bath then Paul Hurley at Hurley Engineering (Locksbrook) is your man.

I was amazed when Paul showed me the latest gaskets to see how much they have changed over the years.

I need be I can also put you intouch with Chris & Vince, ex Hartwell guys now running their own show out in Camerton. They have many years of experience of dealing with HGF's

jt
John Thomas

HGF is not restricted to MGF. My wife's Fiat Punto suffered it at 35,000 miles. My garage chap said they are prone to it.
Mike Howlett



check water level regularly

carry a bottle of water

have coolant system pressure tested at sevice

try and use temp guage when driving (diifficult)

Regards D
D Brunton

I have had 2 MGF's, the first a 96 1.8i had a gaket failure at about 20,000 miles, MG Rover paid in full after a bit of badgering, not possible now though.

Current car is a 2000 1.8i, 68000 on the clock and, touch wood, no problems!

Follow the best practice advice on this thread and you should have little to worry about, however as someone said earlier it happens to all sorts of cars not just F's

Someone else also mentioned the cam belt tensioner, this can be a far more serious failure, I know of 2 people wj=ho did not get the tensioner changed with the cam-belt who have since had very expensive failures. It is not part of the standard service but since it only costs around £25 it is very cheap insurance!

regards Paul
P R Smith

This thread was discussed between 06/11/2005 and 18/11/2005

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