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MG MGF Technical - Problems with dealer's work

I recently had a head gasket replaced (due to replacement of valves and seats)by an MGR dealer who happens to be a friend of a friend and did the job cash in hand. Three weeks later I suspect a HGF (mayo and coolant loss) and so took it back to have the coolant system checked over (on the books receipt and everything). According to MGR they ran the engine for an hour and the coolant system seems fine head gasket not leaking! But why the mayo (not loads but definitely noticable) I do 16m round trips to work every day and did a 500 mile round trip to the lakes last weekend so i doubt its condensation. Am i being fobbed off by the MG bloke. What should I do. Someone mentioned a HC test (hydrocarbon?), how much do they cost? Any advice on my legal standpoint?
steve wilmore

Did they flush the system properly after the first HGF?? If not could be the residue left around the engine.... Although this doesn't explain further coolant loss unless the system was not bled and air pockets remained which when filled, showed as a drop in coolant level?

Just a thought!

Stu



Stu

THey might well be trying to fob you off, but it sounds like HGF type low pressure oil + water, so hydrocarbons in the water would not show up (thats HGF type Water + combustion). If you are loosing water it has to be going somewhere, ask for a pressure test with a hot engine.
Will Munns

I agree with Stu: I'd be suspicious, and that the oil system needs to be re-flushed (and oil filter changed) to rid of residual mayo - it'll do your engine no good whatsoever.

Also would be good, as Stu says, to get the coolant system rebleed, and any air expelled...
Rob Bell



Must read threads properly !!

Doe......

Stupid stu!!





Stu

LOL

Rob ...There wasnt a previous HGF. head was off for valve rep...

Stu
Stu

cheers for the fast response guys, Will, whats the diifference between a low pressure oil and water HGF and a water and combustion, less damage, different location????? I am very confused as to what to do as MGR guy says the coolant system is working as it should and HG seems fine. If oil was really contaminated would i notice higher than normal oil temps. Should I stop driving it now????
Steve Wilmore

LOL - your fault Stu ;o) ;o) I skim-read both postings and came to the same solutions as yourself!!!

Back to the suspected HGF - the mayo on the dip-stick is indeed worrying, but usually when a gasket goes, it does so pretty spectacularly. From what you are saying, there is 'normal' oil in evidence?

I agree though, that a 500 mile trip with residual evidence of mayo is unlikely to be condensation.

How much coolant are you loosing Steve?

Using an MoT exhaust gas analyser to detect HCs in the expansion tank is useful if you anticipate that the gasket has gone between the combustion camber and the water jacket.

Gaskets can also fail between the water and oil ways - you'd expect to see cross contamination (oil= mayo, coolant = oil slick)

Gaskets also fail between the water jacket and the outside world - typically pee-ing coolant above the alternator.

So these are the areas I'd check:
oil (also inspect the underside of the oil filler caps - including the one on the cam cover)
coolant (readily inspected in the expansion cap)
visual inspection of the tail pipes for excess condensation and the full perimeter of the engine block/ head interface to exclude an external leak.

Also consider the outside possibility that your MGR dealer is right - that you don't have a HGF. It maybe that the mayo you see is water contamination of the oil that occured when the head was removed for the valve work. The coolant loss could be explained by leaking coolant pipes under the car, or indeed, that favourite problem area, the radiator.

Keep us posted Steve...
Rob Bell

Yep the gaskets keep 4(5?) things seperate:

1) water
2) combustion
3) outside
4) Oil (high pressure to the gallerys)
4ii) Oil (drain down from the cams)

1&3 is the most common, leading to spouting water over the alternator

1&2 leads to high pressures in the coolant, coolant spat thru cap, overheating, HC's in coolant

1&4 Lots of oil in waterways, overheating, gunk on coolant cap, oily water in header tank, mayo.

1&4ii Little or no oil in waterways, coolant loss at high temps (pressure), mayo

2&3 very unusual, low compression, lots of noise

2&4/5 very unusual, burning oil

2&2 common on other bored out engines, where little gasket is between cylinders, low power, low compression on two adjcent cylinders

3&4(ii) very common, oil seeping out of engine (usualy left untreated)
Will Munns

This thread was discussed on 04/06/2003

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