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MG MGF Technical - Fluid Leak

Hi Just returned from a cold garage where I have been replacing a ball joint and my front brake Disks/Pads after failing an MOT.

I noticed a small pool of green liquid under the front of the car seams to be coming from the Radiator area. Checked the expansion tank, Its empty. The car is a MK2 VVC 1999. Can anyone advise if the Rads are likely to fail after 8 years and any other common problems with coolant pipes etc around this area.

Cheers

Rowan

Hi Rowan,

I had coolant problems with my MGF 1.8 VVC, year model 1998. My problems started in late 2005. I changed the hose clamps (clamps around the coolant pipes from the engine and rad) but it didnīt help. My car suffered a HGF in july 2006 and i changed to the Land Rover gasket. Next thing to happen (in september 2006) was overheating of engine. The engine survied HGF this time. The cause was a lot of air in the coolant system (despite controls at the garage). In june 2007 the radiator, coolant pipes and hoses was changed. All equipment from Mike Satur.

Finally, the car and the coolant system appears to be in good condition (but keep my fingers crossed).

My advice is: At least a new radiator and new hoses, (and hose clamps). A new expansion tank with coolant level sensor is also a good thing. All of this cost a lot of money, but itīs much cheaper than a HGF..

Best regards

Mikael
Mikael Andersson

> Can anyone advise if the Rads are likely to fail after 8 years

Yep, probably needed done after 5! Mine did (98 VVC) at about 48K miles. Get the rad, pipes to underfloor and probably underfloor pipes done and as mikael says get decent (i.e. not rover) hose clamps on there. Just make sure the system's bled properly and you should be fine.

Was the header tank actually empty, or did it have some coolant at the bottom? And have you refilled and measured how much it needed to refill?

Would also strongly advise against using anything like radweld in the f.
Leigh

Hi thanks


The expansion tank was empty. It took 2 litres to fill to the line in the tank. Hopefully not enough loss to cause any other damage. Half a litre was on my garage floor. Reckon I was lucky I needed new brakes, or I never would have known about it until to late.

Has anyone fitted new coolant & under floor pipes?

Access looks a problem
& fitting with all the dirt etc under the car
Rowan

Don't even think about starting it until you have it coolant-tight and don't drive it until it is bled properly. A coolant alarm would have alerted you. I think it should be at the very top of accessories for any MGF/TF.
Mike Howlett

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2008 and 19/02/2008

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