HELP!!!!!! I love my MG and want to keep it but dont want to end up spending a fortune on it!
I bought my MG TF 02 plate 1.8 in October 08. Last week (January 09) it was in the garage - new head gasket and the engine skimmed resulting in a £1000 bill.
My decision now is do I keep it or sell it on?
What is the chance of the head blowing again???
I know all MGs seem to have head gasket problems but how long after they have been replaced do they normally last for???
I dont want another £1000 bill in a few months!
Apart from the head gasket the car seems fine the mechanic advised and it went straight through the MOT last week.
Any advice/experience appreciated. Thanks!
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 14/01/2009 at 18:59
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Forgot to mention- this car has only done 23k miles
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I used to replace loads & if done properly with a skim & genuine headset & new bolts etc I never experienced a 2nd failure. I always used to advise checking water regularly & do not drive if temp starts to rise above normal.Do not drive if the water drops in the header tank. I always used to replace the front to rear water pipes as well as they corroded through & can cause loss of water. Bleeding of the system is essential ( usually with a vacum fill)
For 1k bill sounds like they have done it properly.
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Use and get some fun from it selling it on is a shame.
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I am lucky so far not to suffer HGF on my TF, but then it has only done 12K and the water is checked religiously!
If it has been done properly and the MLS Landrover headgasket fitted then you should have many 1000s of miles of fun without a repeat failure. Usually its something else that causes the failure, however the way the TFs cooling system is set up it does seem to be prone for no apparent reason. Dont rev the car past 3,000 revs until the oil temp has moved to the first notch to reduce thermal shock to the head.
Keep an eye on your water level and even fit a low water alarm from Brown and Gammons for peace of mind - they are only about £90 and worth it. Also, check your underfloor coolant pipes - they run from the back of the engine to the radiator and as they are made from steel they rot. Mike Satur do stainless steel replacements when they need replacing - originals will be lucky to last 10 years if you use it on salty roads!
Nice to see another TF owner in the backroom!!
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Also change the expansion tank cap, and think about the water pump, the key with the mgf is to keep the water in, so avoiding any possible leaks is good practice.
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Good luck with fun car.
PS. Do you do cheap haircuts. ;>)
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Hi, Thanks for replies, Im happy to see that the replies are that this shouldnt happen again if it is watched over. This has helped to reassure me. Had heard some stories that it would probably go again in a few months so I was panicking!!
I think everything mentioned was done to it, correct head etc, and I know it was skimmed, and had new bolts, cam belt etc. but will double check with mechanic.
I will keep my fingers crossed and pay religious attention to the temperature and water levels hoping that this will not happen again!
Thanks for advice about coolant pipes, I will check these for signs of corrosion.
Sorry to disappoint you Bathtub Tom but Im not a hairdresser and know a few others with TFs and they arent either!! Why you call youself Bathtub Tom?! Have you pimped out an old bath and drive it around?! :o)
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>>Have you pimped out an old bath and drive it around?!
Nah! Worse than that, Kia Pride.
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I think somebody here once suggested that with any K-series, you should check the temp gauge as often as you check the speedo... speaking with experience of HGF I'd say that's probably good advice.
Ed.
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But is your motoring in the MG to be a hobby ,or for real?
If the former you have to pay for fun. Most motorists who have 'fun' cars get twirling the spanners, sooner or later, unless they have bags of money of course.
Things will go wrong on any car as it ages, and the economical repair cost at a garage soon becomes higher than the car's value on the market.
Only you can decide the ut off point
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Hi,
I have a freelander hse 1.8 that i think has the same engine and had to replace my head gasket at 33k luckily it was done under warranty and was told that they used the latest gasket set which they reckon has not failed again on any they have fitted.I think we are now upto 58k and so far all is well but it does make you ultra careful to check coolant levels etc and i probably do watch the temp gauge more than speedo lol.
Hope all is well and enjoy your car.
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6 months on and more problems :o(
I noticed water loss and my mechanic has sorted it for the meanwhile by expanding the cylinder but he suggests I sell it as he thinks its going to constantly keep going and costing me money.
Be warned people reading this and I would advise you to never buy an MG!
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Fortunatley the majority know not to touch one & with all their faults helped with the demise of the company. That said if a head gaskets done properly I never had any come backs . I think he should eleborate on " expanding the cylinder"!
Are the coolant pipes & water pump sound ?
Inj Doc
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Without being rude to your mechanic I think his comments suggest he has no idea what he is doing!! If he is the same person who repaired it in the first place then it wasnt done right either!
If the headgasket was done correctly in the first place and any coolant issues attended to then you would not be having any repeat issues. Either you have sprung another coolant leak or the original repair was not up to standard.
Google 'MG Rover solutions' - and take advice from them!
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