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MG MGF Technical - MG TF HGF

Can anybody out ther help I have just bought an 04 MG TF 160 with 4000 miles on the clock is there any procedure that I can take to prevent my head gasket from failing and also what are the H/G failure rate on such a new car Thanks Paul
paul midgley

HGF on the TF is now a rare occurance - especially compared to the failure rate found on early cars in around 1997/98. Your 2004 TF benefits from a number of upgrades that help reduce the chance of failure.

Does your car have the remote thermostat? This came in last year, and if your car has it, then all the better :o) Experience shows that it greatly reduces the chance of failure.

Things to do to reduce the chance of failure? Never over-rev the engine until it is fully warmed through (at least 60¼C showing on the oil temperature gauge).

Always ensure that your coolant level is correct (regularly check - plus B&G sell a coolant level sensor kit, which is probably worth having for 90 quid).

BTW - spotted your location and surname. There aren't that many Midgley's around! My maternal family are Midgleys and are still to be found in Poole, just outside Leeds...
Rob Bell

Rob

This is very specific - whats the reasoning here?

(at least 60¼C showing on the oil temperature gauge).

Paul
Paul

No specific science involved here Paul - just what I've been doing since getting the car many years ago.

The problem is that the water temperature warms extremely quickly on a K - a feature of its design, where the fluid volume in the block is a mere 2 litres.

Therefore oil temperature is a much more reliable indicator of engine warmth.

The first reliable indication of oil warmth is when the needle approaches and passes the 60¼C mark - so this is what I've always used - before using engine power on the road for before a sprint/Hill climb.
Rob Bell

Rob

checked mine overlunch and I cannot get a erading as accurate as "the 60¼C mark". Does the " ¼ " show as a degree symbol on your screen????
John Ponting

should have stated that it shows as 1/4 on my screen.
John Ponting

Rob,

I was intrigued as the 60c is a Castrol generalistion with regard to anti wear additives in oil coming on line. The break point to minimise wear for Water temp is considered to be around 82c, but as oil lags behind water a sound method.

Paul
Paul

John, you've seen through my deliberate mistake: that's 90¼C, the first graduation on the oil temperature gauge!
Rob Bell

Rob must have a special "sawbones" keyboard with extra functions for taking peoples temps! I think everyone can see the 1/4 except the good Doctor.
Tony

we do a good range of rectal temperature probes - bring the tears to your eyes and raise the stakes to 1/2 !!
John Ponting

>> checked mine overlunch and I cannot get a erading as accurate as "the 60¼C mark". Does the " ¼ " show as a degree symbol on your screen???? <<

Ah... I see we have a Macintosh versus PC compatibility issue here: yes, ¼ shows as a <sup>o</sup> (degree symbol) on my screen (I know, that html won't work, but you know what I mean!)

John, what's all this about 1/2" rectal probes? Must be the Aliens again... ;o) LOL
Rob Bell

as in "there is no time for lubricant - THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR LUBRICANT" LOL
Tony

ROFLMAO
Rob Bell

My wife thinks I'm strange sitting here in my study laughing at my computer screen.

thanks Guys.!!

LOL (some more.)

Branko

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2005 and 29/07/2005

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