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MG MGF Technical - Thermostat drilling

I would like to know whether thermostat drilling is still considered an effective cheap way of avoiding HGF. If so, what would be the best way to get it done.
Thanks.
Mike
JM Vega-P.

I don't think there is any hard evidence one way or the other. I believe it works, when we had HGF 2 years ago I bought a new thermostat, drilled two 4mm holes and gave it to the garage to fit when they fixed the gasket. No problems since.
David S

It seems pointle even fitting a thermostat if you are going to drill holes in it. Unless of course the body of the thermostat is needed for sealing purposes. Is it not possible to fit a thermostat that will open at a lower temperature?
John Dickson

John, the reasoning and theory behind this is all in the archives....
David S

Some time ago I had the thermostat drilled but anyway got a HGF soon after. So I believe that the drilling is a waste of time.
Allistair Church

Mike, David is absolutely right: there is little hard and fast evidence either for or against this mod. It is however, a fairly common mod on the MGF race cars in the UK, and it would appear to reduce the frequency of HGF in those cars - but it isn't a complete solution.

If you are determined to crack the HGF nut, then I think that you'd be better off fitting either an MG PRT thermostat or a remote thermostat as sold by Eliseparts. Not cheap, but apparently effective - although once again I can't provide you with hard and fast facts :o(
Rob Bell

Thank you all.
Rob, what is a MG PRT thermostat?
Mike
JM Vega-P.

It's the latest HGF busting modification by MG for the problem. More details here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/hgf_pages/cooling_system_modifications.htm
Rob Bell

To this day there is no such thing as a permanent solution to the K-engine HGF problem. IMO drilled thermostats, 82deg thermostats, PRT thermostats, steel dowels and you name it - they just offer the inferior head gasket a slightly easier life.
When the "rubber band" sealing strip loses ahdhesion from the gasket base plate whether from age, oil contamination or overheating there is nothing one can do to stop the coolant p**ing on the exhaust manifold.
Jon

Hi Rob,
what´s the situation on the PRT ? Is it still made of "unobtanium" ? Would be nice to hear from someone who has got one as an aftermarket on an older "F".
BR, Carl.
Carl Blom

I'm still trying to source the thing complete with pipes Carl - but I am following in Dave L's footsteps; he's actually had one retrofitted to his F VVC already.
Rob Bell

Sounds good as there are actuallu many over here that would see a "rebuild" of the system BUT only with approved MG parts... My own dual thermostats works beautifully and keeps the coolant temp in very small fluctations when at working temp. And this regardless of use ,trackday or countryside sight-seeing !
Otherwise I think Jon is very near the truth unfortunatly ;O)

BR, Carl.
Carl Blom

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2004 and 04/08/2004

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