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MG MGF Technical - HGF - Your experience

Driving down to visit my parents I've had what I believe to be the infamous HGF on my 1990 MGF VVC. The symptoms were clouds of smoke, disappearance of the coolant and a rapid rise in temp. On the plus side the RAC chap failed to detect any exhaust gases in the coolant but on the downside I now have very damp exhaust gases and can see coolant bubbling from the vicinity of the head gasket.

With less than 24k miles of the clock you can appreciate that I was slightly miffed to watch my pride and joy complete the journey on a flatbed....

Unfortunately the car is now 6 months out of warranty but I'm going to see if I can persuade MG-Rover to accept some of the responsibility (and more importantly the cost). Has anyone else had any joy is similar circumstances or do they just wash their hands of the problem? I'd be grateful for any thoughts or advice you may have.....
Sumo664

You should get a 'good will gesture' from MGR. Play it shrewdly (don't go shouting and hollering, or threatening them with Watchdog - it's counter productive). Softly, softly catchee monkey if you know what i mean.

Plus...

Fill in your details here:

>> http://www.shame.4mg.com <<

It is the only independant data on the subject and is reliant on people filling in thier details for the statistical analysis.

Good luck

SF
Scarlet Fever

If your MG is more than 3 years old you will be lucky to get a goodwill gesture.
Always worth a try though......
Mark
MARK PERKS

>>infamous HGF on my 1990 MGF VVC<<

That a pretty rare car that you've got there :-)
David Clelland

>>On the plus side the RAC chap failed to detect any exhaust gases in the coolant<<

ENSURE that the escaping coolant you see is actually coming from the HEAD Gasket and NOT the MANIFOLD gasket. The latter is a simple, inexpensive fix and I've known of several examples of this far less serious problem to be professionally diagnosed as HGF.

Oh yes, head gaskets rarely FAIL. More often than not they are DAMAGED as a bi-product result of some other aspect of the engine or it's cooling system needing attention, particularly if the first signs are not immediately noticed or as sometimes happens, ignored.

If you've not already done so, get at least one second opinion from someone who really knows the MGF.

JMcF.
John McFeely

In this connection, incorrect professional engine problem diagnosis is not peculiar to MG or Rover cars. Can happen to any marque of car.
I recently purchased a Rover GTi very cheaply 'blind' from a work colleague who had been professionally advised that his cylinder head was "perforated" needing expensive (500.00p minimum)replacement and repairs. I bought the car (virtually one owner from new with full history supporting it's 77,000 miles indicated) on the basis that worse case, it will be a good spares donor for other cars in the family.

Long story short, my own 'amateur' investigations indicated that all the car needed was a replacement WATER PUMP and new THERMOSTAT ... the old one being permanently stuck open! The cylinder head was perfectly sound. I replaced these items myself .... less that 40.00p ... this transformed the car. It now runs superbly with nice warm heater output these chilly north east wind mornings ....:O)).

Worth repeating:

ALWAYS get at least one second opinion.

Good luck

JMcF.
John McFeely

Thanks for all your advice so far. I'm a little unclear how "my 2000 MGF VVC" managed to come out as "my 1990 MGF VVC" - no doubt caused by upset at the likely scale of the bill! Having said that, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it may just be the exhaust gasket.

On the subject of getting a 2nd opinion I have a problem in that my car is stuck in an area (Plymouth) that only appears to have one local dealer. Would it be worth taking it to a non-specialist? Can anyone recommend anyone in that area of the country? TIA
Sumo664

Why not find someone local to you and offer take them down to see the car and bung them a few quid for their trouble. Ideally someone local who you know you can trust. Anyone who has a good knowledge of the F, even an experienced amateur MG enthusiast who can often spot things missed by professionals who are often up against the clock and thus sometimes overlook things......
John McFeely

I agree with John, as it often seems that HGF is diagnosed as being the fault where the problem actually lay else where. If one were cynical, one would point out that HGF replacements is quite a lucrative business... Not that I'm suggest that this is the case here.

>> The symptoms were clouds of smoke, disappearance of the coolant and a rapid rise in temp. On the plus side the RAC chap failed to detect any exhaust gases in the coolant but on the downside I now have very damp exhaust gases and can see coolant bubbling from the vicinity of the head gasket. <<

The appearance of steam often just suggests the failure of the expansion tank cap (costs a fiver, and are notorious for this!)

When you say that 'coolant bubbling from the vicinity of the head gasket' - what exactly are you looking at when you see this - where on the engine? One of the commonest areas for coolant to escape the engine is over the alternator around the front of the engine (ie the side that you can't see unless you removed the inspection cover). If spotted through the boot grille, suspect the inlet manifold gasket as John suggests - although the late type 'black' gasket that your car is fitted with is a good deal more reliable than the 'green' inlet manifold that John replaced on his 200GTi

Good luck - and don't assume the worst just yet...
Rob Bell

> although the late type 'black' gasket that your car is fitted with is a good deal more reliable than the 'green' inlet manifold that John replaced on his 200GTi


Er I thought it was the other way around.

Black = Early IM Gasket

Green = Revised IM Gasket

Thats what my local dealer told me when I had to replace mine??????
Bob Millar

>The appearance of steam often just suggests the failure of the expansion tank cap (costs a fiver, and are notorious for this!)

No he ruled that out by filling it with some sort of quick set metal putty.

As far as the gasket bubbling goes, I put the car on ramps and got underneath. Looking up the front side of the engine I could see bubbles and steam coming from where I reckon the HG should be. A more recent examination of the dipstick has also revealed my oil to be very milky. It is going into a local garage tomorrow.....
P Robinson

This thread was discussed between 22/02/2004 and 24/02/2004

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