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MG MGF Technical - NEWBIE - water temp too high

Had my 96 mgf vvc for a couple of weeks and water temp just started climbing just below the red after about ten mins, and does not drop. Checked coolant and probably over filled as its about 3/4 of way up bottle.
Any ideas?
TANIA

........ and the hot/cold heating system is working as normal.
TANIA

Could be just the thermostat sticking open.
Andrew Regens

Hi Tania

Welcome to F ownership ! :-)

Normally the temp gauge when up to temp should sit just below the half way mark and rarely go above this.

You really must get this checked out before driving it about much more. It could be a faulty Stat giving incorrect readings but if the reading is true the engine head could suffer heat damage very easily and that will not be cheap.

I am sure one of the other members in the Kent Essex area might be able to suggest somewhere locally to get it checked out

Best of luck

Stu
Stu Dickens

Hi Tania, welcome to the forum! :o)

Regarding your question on overheating, is the temperature going up when the car is stationary, or is the temperature going up when the car is driving on fast roads?

(Apologies for answering your question with another!)
Rob Bell

"Regarding your question on overheating, is the temperature going up when the car is stationary, or is the temperature going up when the car is driving on fast roads?"

temperature is high when fast, slow or stationary

??
t pettit

Tania which part of Kent are you from? I can recommend a garage near Meopham if that's any help.

Keep us updated.

Emma Jackman (& Green with Envy ~ S369 FAR)
Emma Jackman

>> temperature is high when fast, slow or stationary <<

This would appear to suggest that there is a problem with the radiator or thermostat.

You can check both on a DIY basis, but the thermostat is famous for the difficulty of access!
Rob Bell

Does the fan run when the car is showing hot?

N - Problem is with the temp sensor £20, easy to fix
Y - Problem is in the cooling system elsewhere cont:

remove the plastic cowling under the bonnet, looking down you should see the radiator pipes, run the car to temp
are both of the pipes hot?
Y - probebly a radiator fault:

WHEN THE CAR IS COLD
Under the bonnet in the slam pannel there is a square
hole with a plastic bolt in it, undo the bolt - does a
lot of air come out before the coolant?
Y - Someone had not drained the system properly, recap
before you lose any more coolant, come back if
overheating reoccurs

N - The radiator does not have an airlock, it is
possible the radiator has lost enough fins to be totally
inefficent, or is blocked with sluge. do the bolt back
up, it is sealed with a rubber washer and does not need
to be done up very tight, if you do you may shear the
bolt - be careful

N - niether is hot:
Probebly a thermostat fault, the thermostat is stuck closed
N - one hot one cold, this is normal
Will Munns

>sit just below the half way mark and rarely go above this.

s/rarely/NEVER
Will Munns

phew, high temperature was false information just needed a sensor replacing. £80 poorer but much happier.

Thanks for all the advice, especially Will ;-)
TANIA

Bit irrelevant now it's all sorted but don't forget the old favourite - radiator fan fuse - in the under bonnet fuse box.

Worth ensuring it's the later 20amp rated fuse not 15a

jt
John Thomas

Tania you were lucky!

Yeah those sensors go regularly, I've had two go!
Neil

Sensor failure most often appears to make the engine appear to be running cold - so this is surprising Tania - and thanks for the feedback!
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 05/04/2006 and 07/04/2006

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