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MG MGF Technical - HGF *rse!


just got back from having HGF confirmed on my 2001 F, it appears to have failed below the exhaust manifold, and there's a pattern of orange gunk - solidified antifreeze? down the back of the block.

as it's second time around for HGF ( the first in my ownership though) i'm assuming that no more skims will be available and it's new head time :-(

Plan A is to obtain a TF head complete with cams and gain a few bhp :-)

can anyone tell me for certain whether the TF 115 used the same cams as the 135? and also whether the 115 used the 52mm throttle body? i know it retained the plastic manifold, so i'm assuming not....

i'm only asking so that i can widen my search for a suitable head

cheers

Mike


mike roberts

anyone??
mike roberts

Hi Mike,

Do you know for a fact that the head was skimmed in the first HGF repair? It's not always necessary, so there may no actual need for a new head yet.

IIRC the 115 engine has a 48mm TB, but whether it's plastic or alloy I couldn't say.
Mike Hankin

Thanks Mike,

I'm assuming that the head was skimmmed, the previous repair was done by Rover under warranty - but if the dealer cut corners and it wasn't, it would perhaps explain its relatively rapid demise.

Hopefully i won't need one, but won't know until I get the head off.

My main interest in the 115 head is the cams - If I can confirm that they use the same cams as the 135, it widens my choice of potential donors.

cheers

Mike

mike roberts

According to the specification data contained within the MG TF Workshop manual, the TF115 cams are identical in profile to those used in the TF135 Mike :o) (See also http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/engines/engine_options.htm)

Sounds as though the elastomeric beading has failed again. It's a common place of failure. When you wip off the cylinder head, check that the liner heights are not too high from the block face: this can lead to problems with inadequate clamping forces. And see what material the cylinder head locating dowels are made of - should have been changed to alloy, but you never know...
Rob Bell

My 2001 F had his HGF in January this year. Is HGF "common" to the F?

I am concernd about the oil temperature, can anyone tell me what the working temperature should be. It's running around 120deg. Is this related to the HGF? The car was repaired by the local MG dealers, and they can't give me any information.

Other than that....what a great car!!

Any feedback will be much appreciated

Cheers
Henri

Henri Labuschagne

HGF is common,

oil temp gauge is notoriously bad and reads diffrent on every car, but as the oil isn't beeing activly cooled you should let the car warm up and take that reading as warm, and only concern yourself if it reads (say) 20 degrees higher when you get to thrash the car (track day or many very fast motorway miles in the summer on the autobahn)
Will Munns

when you get to do the HGF fix use the LandRover replacement head gasket and shim, supposed to be far more industrial strength rather than thin bits of tin and orange bathroom sealant original gaskets.

Rob could you furnish part numbers please?
Cheers
Neil

cheers guys,

on the subject of the Landrover fix, I recall a lengthy discussion recently involving - I think - Rob, Will and possibly Dave Andrews, the outcome of which was that the Landrover fix wasn't the panacea we'd all hoped for, and that if the liners were at the correct height,the old system was the one to go for...

at least that's how i remember it, but I don't seem to be able to find it in the archives

does anyone else remember it?

Mike
mike roberts

Mike,

That's my recollection too. I don't know if Rob's had time to update his website about this - I haven't checked, but if you want to look around go to http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/
Dave Livingstone

Thanks!

Happy motoring!!
Henri Labuschagne

Mike

Payen do a saver shim that allows you a bit more head room with the conventional gasket.

But you need to work out why it failed. The Dave Andrews words on liner height are all important.

No liner height, no gasket seal!

If the liner height is ok, I would consider a Trophy head to get some more bhp.
Derrick Rowe

Derrick,

i'm still trying to locate the discussion via the archives to confirm that i've remembered it correctly, but I am reassured that Dave Livingstone remembers it too. When i get the head off, the liner height will determine my next move, if they are on the low side, i'll take the landrover route.

re the Trophy head - I can't use one of those as i've got an mpi - and unfortunately can't afford the 700quid for the Piper solid cam conversion kit!

cheers

Mike
mike roberts

You have it backwards. The if the liner hight is correct and flat then the new gasket is the one to go for.
Will Munns

This thread was discussed between 09/05/2006 and 17/05/2006

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