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MG MGF Technical - Preventative measures?


New to this site really and all this talk of cylinder heads failing is worrying me. Already spent a lot lately on repairs and don’t want any thing else to go wrong.

So what is the best course of action to prevent blown cylinder head? I don’t really understand how this occurs although from reading other threads it’s over heating that causes this to happen.

Its easy to say don’t thrash it but no one has a sports car and drives like my nan. Except my nan! But seriously there must be a form of prevention .

Cheers

Pete
P Sherratt

Im in the same boat pete,my understanding of the preventative issues and what I have done is. replaced all the "jubilee type coolant clips with BMW ss roll edged ones all that is except where there is a plastic sleave inserted I think too much external pressure there isnt an advantage. I drain and replace the coolant at 12 mth intervals.I bleed the system extra carefully, twice, Check the hose pipes and junctions often, Mark a datum on the coolant resovior and make sure its only filled to the join.Its just that extra bit of care really and dosent take much time..I must also mention to turn the heater to full on during the bleed. Then enjoy, its part of maintaining a performance car, CHEERS BOB.
rb wadwsorth

Pete

For some peace of mind I recommend you fit the low level water sensor kit from Brown & Gammons for £90. At least if you do lose coolant for any reason (not always down to a HGF) - you will know about it before you cook the engine thereby avoiding catastrophic engine damage and subsequent repair bill. The main thing is not to get too paranoid about HGF and enjoy your car :)

For more in depth info on HGFs I suggest you try the links below to Rob Bell's excellent site.

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/common_problems/hgf_pages/hgf.htm

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/


HTH
Steve
Steve P

Thanks all for the sound advice.

Pete
P Sherratt

I too have conerns and have fitted the B&G Alarm, but the more I read the threads and the archives and the prople who have the alarm fitted I wonder if the HGF is mostly down to loss of coolant and not knowing, which rapidly heats the engine and leads to HGF.

Everyone assumes its an HGF, but maybe this is just the the result ?

It does seem reading the archives that the K series has little coolant capacity, so no margin for any loss, not helped by rad so far away.

Lets be honest no-one really (ok there are a few) checks the water level each day, so might not notice that initial loss.

If you read the BBS you see there are instances of people with the alarm saying they stopped and found it was a loose pipe of duff cap or split pipe or rad. I haven't seen anyone on BBS who with an alarm said it was HGF

Just my input

Tom
Tom

Steve P,
What sort of job is it to install the B & G low level water sensor kit? I've also been thinking about installing a remote thermostat
Ron
Ron Bourne

Ron try the following links - for B&G full fitting instructions it's in PDF format BTW.

http://bg.mgcars.org.uk/bg/pdf/waterlevelsensorfittinginstructions.pdf

Main website is at

http://bg.mgcars.org.uk/index1.html?o=11586923464238

Regarding the PRT, I too intend to get one fitted as it seems it may well go a long way to preventing the HGF by all accounts. Anything that helps prevent one has got to be a good move. There is a fair amount of stuff in the archives (and elsewhere) that will give you more in depth info.
Steve P

New radiator, replace under floor pipes if rusty, make sure anti-freeze is Rover approved and at correct mix and the PRT stat.

Cross your fingers and sacrifice at the altar of the HGF god.
Derrick Rowe

the water wetter is also good ( http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp)....and if you use the 4life coolant as recommended by mg owners club ...you dont have to disturb the cooland for 10 years ....costs about £40 for the coolant but thats it for 10 years it isn't mixed with water goes straight in ...the list goes on and on .....
RP Armitage

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2006 and 21/09/2006

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