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MG MGF Technical - Losing Coolant

Bollocks, Just when Im trying to sell the car its starts playing up.

Whilst driving the car yesterday morning I noticed a rubbery water smell. So when I got home I checked the water and it seemed low. So I topped it up (after leaving the engine to cool for a while).

Drove around a few places in the afternoon - fine all seemed ok. Drove to my brothers early evening and just as I got there I noticed steam coming out of the engine. So I had a look and left it.

When leaving I checked the water level and it was down about 1 inch from the level. I topped it up and drove home all seemed ok but when I got home it was about 1 inch down again.

Ive left the car in the garage today but I am going to call my father around to help me check for leaks etc tonight.

Can anyone tell me the most common places to check please ? + someone also tell me it aint anything to do with a H*F!

Cheers,
Mike Giffard

Checked the heater pipes inside the car?
S Laithwaite

Cheers - where are they located ?
Mike Giffard

Try all this. First posted by Paul Lane hope he doesn't mind too much.


>>>>>>> Radiator hose pipes to metal pipes (2 clips) under car at the rear end (many threads already redarding corrosion of these metal pipes at the joints/supports).

Heater hose to hose connectors, at front of engine compartment, where hoses pass thru bulkhead into tunnel - forward of gearbox, between box and bulkhead - 4 clips. The access to these joints is poor. I had to buy the following tool as a regular pair of pliers (flat nose or pins) had insufficient length/reach to get at the old clips -
280MM LONG REACH RADIO PLIER - £5.95 + p&P from www.drapertools.com
The above joints are best accessed with the car on drive up ramps.

Various hose connections within the engine compartment - there are only a couple which are difficult here - one being the reservoir feeder hose to engine rail adaptor.

S Laithwaite

I'm afraid, but suppose you need this informations.
http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/hgf_diagnosis.htm

HTH not :(
Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Cheers guys - gotta be honest it aint looking good....

How much will it roughly cost bearing in mind that....I think Ive caught it early ?
Mike Giffard

I too hope it's not the dreaded HGF. If it is I would imagine in the order of 600 quid.

Get it done at a dealer and MAKE SURE they fit all the revised parts eg new green type inlet manifold gasket, new type head gasket and steel dowels.

Good luck !
S Laithwaite

Hi all,

Just found out that its the radiator or the pipes leading to/from the radiator that are leaking.

The guy who had a look said I could buy some sealant as a temporary fix. Shall I do this considering I might be p/xing at a dealers in the next few weeks. Should I use sealant and let them worry bout a reoccurance ?

Cheers,
Mike

Using sealant before selling the car could be considered fraud, since you used your name and location and admitted to the world that you were aware of a defect on the car. Perhaps a lawyer could give an opinion.
George B.

Sealant is a fix to the defect is it not ?

Also I would be selling the car in its current condition, the buyer (the dealer) is welcome to inspect it....

Bye
Mike

Would be fair IMO to tell the buyer the truth.
Radiator may be about 200 plus works if corroded. Can be cut from sales price or done in advance then.


Dieter Koennecke

This thread was discussed on 01/07/2002

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