MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Signs of a water pump failure?

My sister in law's 100k mile Rover Metro is furiously dripping coolant from the right front corner of the engine at the moment. Figured that the dreaded HGF may have struck - but no evidence of coolant loss from the head/block interface. If anything, it appears that water is tracking along the sump gasket line from somewhere else.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to investigate further last night (I'd need my tools, quite a lot of time, and removal of the right front wheel to access inspection panels) - but thoughts centred on a weeping water pump. What I suspect is happening is that water is weeping past the water pump shaft seals, and consequently flowing down the side of the engine and then dripping off the lowest point of the engine - the sump.

Engine is otherwise running perfectly well without any untoward noises. Oil is fine. No mayo ;o)

So what are the signs and symptoms of a failing water pump, other than water loss?
Rob Bell

No Mayo?

doesnt sound too bad then.
give yourself the time to have a good butchers in the daylight you'll find it's something obvious like the pump (belt off) or just a hose!! and not something dreadful, anyway time for an experiment.

I've got your MGF throttlebody back if you fancy fitting that to the car!




Neil

you got it, seal failure signs are coolant on the timing belt.
Will Munns

Shouldn't be too hard to track down.... I may be free this weekend to assist at Chez Bell.
Tim

Thanks guys! :o)

Neil - you read my mind ;o)

Tim, I might take you up on that so we can check out the tell-tail sign that Will mentions!

Not sure what the plan is at the moment: the car probably needs its 100k mile cam-belt service anyway - and there is no guarantee when I'll get time again to work on the ol' rust bucket, so SIL's best bet for a speedy (albeit more expensive!) resolution may be a decent non-franchised garage - we'll see...

Cheers
Rob Bell

Rob, we had a 214Si 16v and that had a leak that took ages to find - it was the metal pipework that lives under the inlet manifold pipes and the o ring had corroded. I replaced the pipe as well as it was pretty rough looking at the joint, amazingly it is just a push fit into the housing with a bolt locating it to the block.
tony

> just a push fit into the housing

Just? that thing is wedged on there!
I'm sure it has more than one bolt as well, a git to do this one (same work as a leaking thermostat) and should be abvious from under the car.
Will Munns

Thanks for that Tony - I need to investiage further!
Rob Bell

you need arms the lenght of an orang-utan to reach round all the inlet stuff! It was a few years ago but I think I can still feel the scuffs on my arms :)
tony

>It was a few years ago

new tools in the stable are ratchet ring spanners, I only own one, 8mm spanner and it has saved me many hours of hurt ;-)
Will Munns

Rob I know a man who can, a trained Rover mechanic
phone me if you need the details
I dont know how far he'll travel though


;¬)
Neil

Ratchet ring spanners - you know how it is when you go to halfrauds for something minor and suddenly spot that tool shelf, they were doing sets for half price so got myself the collection. I wish I had them a LONG time ago, they are fab and come well recommended
tony

Got a set of these spanners too - absolutely brilliant! I use them all the time - the last most public occasion was at the Silverstone track day accessing the boot 'Treffen method' after someone locked their keys in there...

Neil - please let me know more about this chap you know... Especially if he can make it to North London! I'll pass on the details. :o)

Cheers
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 24/05/2004 and 25/05/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now