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MG MGF Technical - NOT ANOTHER

Hello all.

Early this week had steam out the boot. Familiar?

Got AA man to take a look and he tested for HGF on the gasses in the coolant. No sign. He said that it was the Rad fan not kicking in so he bypassed the relay and told me to get the switch fixed.

Then on getting home the cooolant tank was empty again with no evidence of steam. Took about 2 litres to fill it.

I have checked the oil cap which has no signs of mayo but the dipstick shows a creamy latte colour.

Is this an HGF? Almost resigned to the answer.

If so how much am I looking at to get it repaired and where do you recommend getting it done?

cheers
Marc

Hi Marc,
I'm no mechanic but that (i'm afraid to say) does sound like the dreaded you-know-what. Milky oil is the give away.
Mine's going into Vospers MG tomorrow for a suspected HGF.
3 days labour including the head being sent of to a local "specialist" for skimming. I'm told it wont top 600 quid unless i need other (non-HGF) parts. I know mike satur http://www.mikesatur.co.uk/mainmgf.html is quoting 450 quid + VAT for HGF repairs.

Hope that helps.... Good luck.

MC&aHNY
S J Knight

Hi marc

Yes I would agree looks like HGF to me. One tip if you need any work done, i.e. like a service combine the two, it should be cheaper. Watch out for the extra costs, i.e. skimming the head, so that you don't get caught out when the car is stripped down and you have no room to strike a deal.

Good luck
aj harris

You might as well get the cam belt replaced at the same time as well.

Ian Matheson

And why not the water pump aswell...
Fabrice

Depends on how much mayo you're finding on the dip stick, but I am afraid to say that this does sound alarmingly like HGF - possibly precipitated, as the AA chap suggests, by failure of the rad fan. :o(
Rob Bell

Confirmed HGF... cause not yet established apart from the temperature sensor on the EMU has to be replaced? Not sure if this would cause the HGF.

Cost likely to top £650. Oh well, had to happen some time.

Marc

Ok question time then... Vospers MG have told me i've not had HGF. Pressure tested ok! I've got a split bottom hose to the rad. Not complete, hence no drips, but leaking when under pressure!

Good news - but we'd struck a deal where if the head was coming off i was gonna get something "special" done. They'd pay for the labour. I'd pay for the "tweeks" and the final pressure test! So absolutely. get as much done as possible, Marc!!

BTW, if i've got 500 quid, what would should ! have done?

Cheers,
MC&HNY
S J Knight

Plenty of websites to look at - I had my cylinder head fettled by Dave Andrews - http://members.aol.com/DVApower/

I had a quick and dirty port performed - which suited my requirements (cost little over 300 quid). Plenty of other options available, but the limiting factor is time.

Other people to talk to include our own Mike Satur, Powertrain Products (PTP - advertise here) and Sabre Heads ...

More specialists and web page URLs here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group4/MG_specialists/engine.htm
Rob Bell

All fixed...

I have solution to HGF... I'm buying another car. So goodbye MG World can't afford you any more. Thanks for all the advice received from this site either directly or indirectly.

Best of luck with your cars.

tara
Marc

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2005 and 21/12/2005

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