MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Major Problem

Just coming back home from stables, got about halfway back and smelt this sort of burning smell. i assumed it was another car but then it didn't go away, carried on anyway but the temp gauge started going up until it was on the hottest reading. Now I know you'll say I should have pulled over but I had to get home, I'm not with the AA (stupid I know) and my parents are in Spain. Managed to get it home, driving really carefully by now the was steam coming from the engine, just as I pulled up there's a sort of rattly sound coming from the engine. Got the boot open to help it cool down. My mechanic is at work with no mobile so i'll have to wait till he gets back. Any ideas on what's happened?

Thanks


Emma Jackman
Emma Jackman

Forgot to mention:

1998 1.8l 38k miles
It's well overdue a service (waiting to get paid)
It's never had the major serice done (cam belt etc) -I was going to get this done asap neway.
The oil light flashed very quickly just as a switched of the engine (never done this before)
Emma Jackman

Emma, your description makes it sound quite expensive. Just don't touch it again until "your mechanic" gets there. Let's hope it isn't as bad as it could be.

Good Luck and let us know how you get on. Did your parents leave you something else to drive or do they lock everything away when they leave the country?
JohnP

Fortulately I've still got my Micra, just rung the insurance company and sorted it out so I'm ok car-wise.

From what I've read on the net, I'm thinking this is a HGF (mega-bucks country) the oil temp has gone right down now and so has the engine temp which is a relief. There goes my hard-top fund! I wanted to buy a hardtop for it next but looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer >:(
Emma Jackman

Is there any coolant at all left in the expansion tank?
DaveyC

Emma...this sounds horribly like the dreaded HGF :-(
Fingers crossed for you...
Blue Max

There is coolent left, not sure what it normally looks like but it looks a bit lumpy. I dipstick does have the milky mayo on it, it used to have brown mayo before but this stuff it white. The green colour on the coolent, which was there before has gone. I'm now very sure it's HGF >:(

Will the car have to an MG Rover garage or can I get my normal mechanic to do it? I imagine it's a specialist thing.
Emma Jackman

Emma, provided that he has worked on a K series engine he should be OK. The head may need skimming to ensure it is completely flat before the new HG. Cooling system will need bleeding properly after refilling with coolant and coolant/oil may need a couple of flushes through to ensue no mayo left floating.

Only major problem is getting to the head but others on here have DIY'd.
JohnP

commiserations Emma. Yes, unfortunately its HGF. :(

I think John just about covers it, but you (could) make it work in your favour if you know what i mean? ;)

Anyway, at least your now an "official" member of the club, dont forget to register your details in the hall of shame :/ and best of luck with the repairs, you still have plenty of time before the summer!
DaveyC

Also a good time to have that service done and get the belts changed. Then your car will be "brand new" :-)
David Clelland

Thanks for everyone's comments. John (mechanic) just looked at it, what's happened was the pipe running from the coolent tank has sprung a leak which caused the engine to overheat in the first place, so that'll need replacing, and yes, it's HGF. I asked him about getting the cam belt etc. changed and he said he could do it at the same time.

Hopefully it'll work out a bit cheaper than getting it done at MG Rover who are bound to charge a bit more. I've heard the horror stories of how much this kinda thing costs!
Emma Jackman

Any ideas how much it costs to fix HGF?? I Have a 2001 1.6 MCF, 22k miles and is showing all of the above signs - the dealer will not honour the warranty as it happened 5 days outside..
Mel

My comiserations

It's difficult enough for the mechanically adept amongst us to solve these probs. For somebody with little mechanical expertise it is a nightmare.

Guys, what would you suggest she does to get the best deal to resolve this problem?

Your mechanic friend, if he is any good should be able to do it but it aint that easy! and its a pretty horrible job with all that mayo in every part of the engine.

Main dealer will be costly I just hope that the engine isnt totally mullahed by you not stopping
Neil

Mel

Is the dealer a MGR dealer? try contacting customer services at head office, people appear to be having some luck in getting rover to pay some of the costs
Colin Ashworth

This thread was discussed between 17/04/2004 and 21/04/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now