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MG MGF Technical - Inlet manifold?

hi all

My first time on this forum, though sadly not my first time for coolant leakage. In March 2003, I had the dreaded head gasket failure :-(. Unfortunately, being a complete novice at anything mechanical, I managed to sieze the engine, and ended up needing a new one.

All has run well for the past 18 months, until on Friday night I noticed the temperature guage running to the max. I suspected hgf, and called out the AA. The man was pretty sure I don't have hgf, yet, but recommended getting the car checked over asap. At the time, there was no loss of coolant, and coolant seemed to be running through the system okay.

I drove the car today, checking the coolant level both before and after the run, and noticed it had dropped considerably in the expansion tank - it took a litre of water to bring the level up to the halfway mark n the tank.

Interestingly, the temperature guage returned to normal while running the car today.

I've checked the oil, and there is no mayonnaise on the dipstick or the oil cap. Oil colour is normal. I've checked the expansion cap, and the rivet seems to be in place. I've checked under the car and cannot see any puddles. The only thing I notice is that there is a lot of white smoke coming out of the exhausts. I assume this is steam. Having trawled through this bulletin board, I was wondering if this might be inlet manifold gasket failure.

Does what I am describing sound like the manifold, or could it be something else? Can I drive the car to a MGR without causing hgf (15 miles) or should I get them to come and pick it up? How much should it cost me to get everything checked out?

And finally, anything else I need to do to ensure I don't look like a complete numpty? :-)

Cheers

Charles
C Stone

>until on Friday night I noticed the temperature guage running to the max.

Which temperature. Coolant or Oil ?

Assume, the fuse #2 under bonnet fuse box with 15Amp for the front fan has blown.
Change to a 20Amp in any way.
Dieter K.

Sounds like the manifold gaskit, had the same on my F, when first started from cold would beltch out clouds of white smoke till engine warmed up.

This was a common fault on early Fs, the manifold gaskit should be green, if it is black then it is the early type one and will need re-newing, you can just see the gaskit on the corner of the manifold to check.

HTH
Mark.L

Hi, I had a suspicious puddle under my 97 "F" when standing, went into garage and they found it was the inlet manifold gasket, did have coolant loss from expansion bottle. Fixed now cost £142 all in.

steam from exhaust is common in these cold mornings tho
Phil onesJ

>Which temperature. Coolant or Oil ?

Coolant.

>Assume, the fuse #2 under bonnet fuse box with 15Amp for the front fan has blown

Come to think of it, I don't remember hearing the fan come on at all. Will definitely change the fuse, thanks.

>the manifold gaskit should be green, if it is black then it is the early type one and will need re-newing

Surely it would have been renewed when they put a new engine in last year?

>you can just see the gaskit on the corner of the manifold to check

Erm, this is where my knowledge of cars falls somewhat short. Where do I look? (please don't hesitate to treat me like a complete imbecile :-) )

Thanks for your responses so far, guys.
C Stone

Charles, have a read through this: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/common_problems/hgf_pages/HGF.htm - hopefully it'll give you more clues as to things to look for and where to look :o)

Fingers crossed that this is simply due to the inoperation of the radiator fan as Dieter suggests :o)
Rob Bell

This is the plastic inlet manifold from an MPI.

http://www.mgfcar.de/inlet_manifold/index.html
You can see a small piece of if installed, but as said, if recently (after 1998) repaired it should be in...usually.
Dieter K.

Dieter, thanks for the link, I've bookmarked your site in my faves.

Latest update, I phoned the garage who put the new engine in last year. They asked if I could bring the car down to them (doesn't inspire confidence!). As I called the AA on Friday, who said they didn't think I had a gasket problem, I called them back and firmly requested that they pick up the car and take it to the shop. They did it without any qualms.

So its in the shop and I'll wait and see what they report back. I may well be coming on here for independent advice!

Cheers all

Charles
C Stone

This thread was discussed between 05/12/2004 and 06/12/2004

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