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MG MGF Technical - White sludge update

Update on P100 VVC.
Brown & Gammons appear to have done a good job and I picked up the car last night. The gasket was changed and the head was fine - no other damage. I had the coolant pipes running under the car changed whilst the system was drained, they were badly corroded but not yet leaking. I also had a service done at the same time - total bill about £900 inc Vat - yikes!
The head was sent off for hardness testing and passed OK. However, Mike told me that other heads that went off at the same time failed and they were faced with much larger bills for reskimming etc etc. So thanks guys for your advice - I think I've been lucky to catch this before it went bang.
Gordon

Gordon,

Always good to have an update. Pleased to hear that your now back on the road.

The corrosion on the underfloor coolant pipes is very common even on quite young cars. A sound replacement.

Dave
Dave

Very good idea that Gordon. Mind you, I would say that, as I have Mike Satur's alloy pipes ready to fit for the next service! LOL

Talking of these pipes, I was glancing through Dieter's VIN page the other day, and spotted that the coolant pipes were altered after my car was manufactured (one of the joys of owning an early car - you find all sorts of things have been 'improved' ).

Anyone know what this difference is? I have to say that my original pipes still look to be in pretty good condition (which may not be a good indication of their true condition).
Rob Bell

Rob

Funny you should say that BUT I was 'inspecting' the underside of the Green Squirrel (as one does) and she seems to be OK - perhaps the early cars had better pipes!

Ted
Ted Newman

Ditto on the state of my underfloor pipes and radiator - 5 years old and fine. When was the change you spotted Rob?

Dave
Dave

Funny that you should say that, but the same optimistic thought had passed through my mind as well Ted! LOL

Dave, from Dieter's VIN survey page:

>>AD004177 Coolant pipes under body changed to MK2 <<

I remain somewhat confused... That VIN places date of change, I think, to early '96. I suspect that Ted's car is prior to the change point, but yours Dave, will be after?
Rob Bell

Rob,

Yes, my VIN is well after that - so that's blown that theory then! It is strange though, that there are such variations, with quite newish cars suffering severe corrosion and older cars seemingly OK. My car sits out on the drive in all weathers, has covered nearly 50,000 miles and yet both underfloor pipes and radiator are fine after five years.

Dave
Dave

Ah, it was a nice thought anyway Dave.

I guess the case is not proven one way or the other yet - I wonder if there is any value in canvassing for another BBS survey into coolant pipe corrosion and VIN number...?
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 30/01/2003 and 31/01/2003

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