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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Header tank leaking

The header tank next to the radiator on my 1275 has sprung a leak from the small pipe, it's leaking from the joint.

If it's unrepairable, is there a cheaper alternative I can use?

Thanks

AndyB
a borris

All depends how original you want to be. Generic header bottles can be bought from places like Europa or Demon Tweaks or Merlin motorsport, or you can buy a proper copper one from an MG supplier. Personally I'd try getting it soldered. I imagine it could be done with some plumbers solder and a blow lamp, but I've never had to do it. Be sure to clean it up first, and put plenty of flux on where you want the solder to run.

ant
Ant Allen

Is this what your after?

Good price from what I paid last year.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mg-midget-1275cc-Brass-Expansion-Tank-with-lid_W0QQitemZ230334725407QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item230334725407&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Jim Stewart

Andy. The brass has work hardened from years of expanding and relaxing, leading to cracking. The cracks can be repaired, as Ant suggests, by soldering them with soft solder. But, such a repair is only temporary and will not hold up for an extended period. It can be used to allow the car to be driven while finding another tank.

Any used tank must be inspected to ensure that it will hold pressure properly. Thousands of pressure/release of pressure cycles cause a series of hair line cracks in the metal, which can be easily hidden by a fresh coat of paint. The tank must be tested, using a radiator pressure tester, to the rated psi of the cooling system's pressure cap. If it will not hold that pressure, it will not be of any use to you.

At one time, there was a plastic version of this tank, identical in basic shape, but having two legs allowing it to be attached to the inner fender with screws. When the legs were cut off, it fit into the factory bracket perfectly. The only problem was the metal insert in the neck for the pressure cap to work against. This was carbon steel rather than stainless steel and tended to rust out.

Les
Les Bengtson


Andy - I've got a spare header tank going begging.

Needs cleaning up and repainting, but it's yours if you want it.

Drop me a line at MarkhATdrvDOTcom

Mark
MarkH1

Thanks for the advice and esp. the spare tank, luckily it was repairable.

I knew it was the inlet pipe leaking, but wasn't sure if had torn out and damaged the tank, the pipe had only worked loose, so a local rad man re-soldered the pipe and then pressure tested it for a tenner!

Thanks
AndyB

a borris

This thread was discussed on 03/04/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.