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MG MGF Technical - What is HGF?

What is HGF?

I see most owner's on this website have had it / fear it / know about it.

Why have I no idea what this is?

My MGF broke down over a week ago and wouldn't then start anymore, dealer has not yet had a chance to look at it (due to going bust), what are the chances that this problem is HGF?

Or will it be something more sinister?
W Blatchford

HGF = head gasket failure.

If your car just broke down and won't re start I suspect you have not got or had one. If it was loosing water or spraying water around start crossing your fingers.

Even though Rover say there is no problem with the F and its head gasket - the number that seem to fail even at low mileages seems to say the opposite. Sadly mine had one earlier this year - but I caught it as it happened so no major damage caused to engine so 'just' needed gasket replaced. That is expensive enough but not as bad as if engine damaged.
Keith Williams

The car is a bit of a lemon and given bad weather would I notice if it was spraying water around?

An out of work mechanic seemed to think that the VVC unit 'had gone' - Any ideas?
W Blatchford

Check your coolant expansion tank. If the level of coolant is still half way up the tank, then it probably hasn't lost any. If it is empty, cross your toes as well.

Check to see if there is oil mixed in with the water in the tank (the technical term for this is mayo, short for mayonaise), or if there is water mixed in with the oil, via the oil dip stick (probably looks creamy?). If either of these has happened, then more than likely it is the dreaded HGF. If it failed quickly, and you did not drive it after it went, then the damage is possably not great. I think the costs to replace the head gasket (and the cam belt at the same time) is around GBP5-600 in your part of the world.

If the VVC unit 'has gone', then I would have expected a lot of graunching maetalic noises. But never having had a VVC engine in my MGs, I would not know what to look for here. If it has, it could be even MORE expensive?

As Keith said, if it just won't start, probably not too bad. Look at your electrics perhaps. Dud battery, coil, fuses etc? Lot cheaper.
Neil Courtney

>An out of work mechanic seemed to think that the VVC unit 'had gone' - Any ideas? <

Why is he 'out of work'? Perhaps because he has no idea of what is what?

Wayne - just to keep things in perspective I have owned my *F* eight years and so far no HGF or any other real problem - rather like the vast majority of MG owners who dont come on to these boards.

Ted
Ted Newman

Just to be a doom and gloom monger for a moment... it could be the cam belt.

There was also a problem with the bolts in the VVC mechanism - I'm sure someone more knowledgeable on this particular problem will be along soon.

Ralph
Ralph

Wayne, what were the 'symptoms' when the car broke down?

It is possible that there is a problem with the VVC mechanism - a known fault is with the cam bolts which can 'relax' or even shear - there was a recall many moons ago (1998) that covered this problem - http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/MGF_recalls.htm#r2 - so it is possible that this is related.

How old is your car BTW? Fingers crossed it isn't anything too expensive.
Rob Bell

The mechanic is out of work because the garage went bust a week ago whilst my car was in for repair.

The car is a late 1997 model and as I bought it second hand I have no idea of the service history. I've had the five year service done and also some underbody repairs since to the tune of 1,750.00 and thought that everything would now be OK.

When the car broke down there were lots of metal crunching noises - is this some cam bolts / wheels coming off?

If this is the case - has this happened through wear and tear or shoddy servicing?
W Blatchford

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2003 and 28/11/2003

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