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MG MGF Technical - my MGF worries...

have had my beautiful R reg MGF for few months and feel worried about it. Had to have the radiator changed few months ago and garage said that head-gasget would probably go shortly and possibly clutch. As the rains have started to set in, I've now noticed a leak from the passenger window (by the wing mirror) and for the last few weeks my SRS light refuses to go off. Having spent everything I have to buy this car, I am really worried that it is going to completely drain me of all funds. I absolutely love the car to pieces and think it drives like a dream, but feel constantly worried about it. My local dealership are particularly unhelpful and unfriendly which isn't helping. Any thoughts on any of what I have said will be very gratefully received. Just want to know it isn't going to continually break down and that I can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Felicity

while I'm thinking about it, also wondered if anyone has any good advice about going over speed bumps. having had a higher car in the past I thought I had completely taken the underside of the Mgf off when I first went over a speed bump in it at 20 or so mph. only trick i have found is to put half the car on the flat and half of it over the speed bump and go ridiculously slowly. I'm not sure if this is necessary but am too nervous to 'practice' any other way cos don't want to damage new radiator!!
if the whole world were a motorway and it never rained, I would be so happy all the time in my mgf!!!
Felicity

Your MG dealer are making you paranoid!

I take my S reg 1.8 to a Rover specialist for servicing etc... as they are far, far cheaper than main dealers, and with regular servicing the car should not go wrong!

As for leaks, what convertible does not suffer from the odd leak! It may be worth getting some silicone lubricant (yellow can) from Halfords and squirting some on a clean rag and applying to the rubber around the wing mirrors, this normally stops any small leaks. Speed bumps, just pass over them 'very slowly' - you should have no probs.

Cheer up!

You are the proud owner of one of the best looking roadsters ever built, and its BRITISH!
Mark

Felicity,
the leak around the mirrors is a common failing with the F. If you join up as a member (for free) and search the archives for 'leaks' you will get a lot of results. Many people have said to put a thin plastic tube down inside the rubber seal to stop this. I didn't explain that well, but check the archives for a better descrition. A search for 'cheaters' (or 'cheeters'?) which is what the mirrors are attached to the door with, I think, might give good results.

As Mark say, drive over speed bumps slowly. And check the ride hight. You may find the suspension needs pumping up. The correct measure is 365mm (I think. Again, archives...) from the center of the front wheel hub to the wheel arch.
Neil Courtney

And...

The SRS light is probably the rotary coupler in the steering wheel. £200+ I'm afraid. It is worth checking the plug and socket connection in the wiring under each seat first.

Enjoy your F, we do!
Brian

If they are predicting an HGF, does that mean they've done a shoddy job of replacing the coolant after replacing the radiator?

Has it had the underbody coolant pipes and the hose clips done as well?
A

The SRS light could be something as simple as the 'underseat' pretensioner cable coming unplugged - which by the sounds of your garage is a distinct possiblilty.

BTW I have had my F since new and it now nearly eight years old and apart from blowing a coolant hose during the summer it has never ever let me down.

Speed bumps you must take slowly if the car is lowered or take them at an angle.

Ted
Ted Newman

For a dealer to predict a HGF is a bit rich..... Head gaskets don't do slowly they are either OK or failed. There have been many cases, I for one, however it may never happen. I had taken out an AA part and labour cover from the AA in addition to my normal Relay cover and this paid for the replacement.... Anyway, on to the other points.

The Cheater as it is known is a common place for leaks depending on the state of the rubber gasket around the window it may just be the alignment of the cheater a fairly straight forward job, and then a bit of re-alignment of the windows to finish the job off. However if the rubber seal (gasket) around the windscreen frame is not so supple you may need to replace this.

Speed bumps, well these are viscious where I live and I'm forever whacking the underside of the car. This should be avoided as it is easy to damage the exhaust flexi pipe. I usually go for the one on, one off, option and go slowly. However I would suggest that by the sounds of it your car could do with having the hydragas pumped up a little it may be a bit lower than it should be.

HTH

Tim
tim woolcott

Hi, I had to have the Rad replaced on my R reg last week, so I guess it might be an age thing. I agree with 'A' and 'Mark', if your dealer is "predicting" a HGF then you should either ask him for 6 numbers between 1 and 49 or find a dealer that isn't trying to scare you/rip you off. A lot of us travel quite a way to get good reliable service for out F's. Personally I am lucky because I am only 30 mins away from Techspeed Motorsport in Coventry. I think the nearest to you are Brown & Gammons in Baldock (Herts?). They are very good from what I have heard (someone will be along soon to confirm this I'm sure) and I met them at Silverstone this year and they were full of good advice.

The Clutch may be on the way out, I don't know too much about them but I know that once they go, they go!! There is no adjustment like some cars. But again, get it checked by someone not trying to rip you off.

Speed bumps at 20mph in an F 8¬/. 2mph is about the limit in mine!!! but then I have had it lowered ;-) Bear in mind the ground clearance is much less in an F than most average cars, this makes for great cornering but scary speed bumps.

HTH and Welcome aboard the board
Phil

Sell it fast !!...and buy a non MG badged car next time !!

It wil give you piece of mind and be easier on your purse.
Glandular Fever

The F has it's problems - but then from what I hear it is not alone in this.
Clarkson stated on top gear this week that his merc had spent more time in the garge than he had had it.
The clutch has just gone on my parent's espace - £700 bill.
The radiatir blew on my sisters MX5 last week and she has had lots of electrical problems with windows etc.
The trip computer in my wife's multipla keeps warning of all sorts of things wrong when they are actually okay and apparently these cars are prone to wear on the inside of the front tyres if the tracking is set to manufacturers recommendations.
A friend's audi A8 recently refused to start and it cost him almost £1000 to get the standard security system fixed by audi.
At least with the F we all seem to know the faults!
Jason H
Jason H

Hi,

It depends on which dealer you are using.
To mention no-names, if they are in Farnham
they are not that interested unless you bought
the car off them !

Paul;
Paul

Hi Felicity

>> Had to have the radiator changed few months ago and garage said that head-gasget would probably go shortly and possibly clutch. <<

Had the rad go in my F over 2 years ago, and the head gasket remains fine. As Tim says, there is no way that you can predict a failure! (My car, BTW is 74k miles, 8 years old and loved to bits too).

Regarding the clutch - that's bad luck. There is nothing weak about the MGF clutch - it is the same as any other road car system. It all depends on the previous owner's driving style :o( Your car may be due its 5 year/60,000 mile service, so plan to get this work done together (this is the expensive cam belt service - don't skimp on it!)
Rob Bell

Felicity
Just enjoy the car. They are well engineered, and properly serviced by a good independent technician, will last and give miles of pleasure.
Tony Harrison

Buy a Civic!
Mega

thanks for all the wise words. will do my best to stop worrying about it so much. a very reliable local garage is going to look at airbag for me and is also going to check out leak. he says don't use silicone on it because it will adversely effect the hood? something about reacting with the material?
as for speed bumps, I am reassured that i'm not the only one to suffer and will just live with it... trouble is, i just dont like driving it slowly and so resent any speedbumps!
Buying my mgf was the best decision I have ever made and I absolutely love it, so am going to smooth over blips and start appreciating it again!
and as for those suggesting a different choice of car: I'm afraid my heart is won by the sheer good looks (i am obviously more material than I care to admit...) and wonderful handling. my only problem is lack of money to keep my precious exactly how I want to but will willingly starve to take care of it so I'm sorry to say you can keep the civics and any other non-mg's cos I'm just not interested.
Thanks again for so many great responses. there are a lot of really passionate mg drivers out there!!
Felicity

If you're only in Guildford, take a blast down the A3 to Petersfield, turn left at the first roundabout off the A3 (towards Midhurst on the A272) and stop 100 yards later.
Look right...

White Rose MG Rover.

They're brilliant and have coaxed my F to a staggering 108,000 miles of virtually trouble free motoring including the recent Cannonball Run (which you can read about here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.morris4/SEF.htm)

Courtesy car every time, telephone updates as they do the work, car valeted inside and out with each service. Free advice from Phil the MG bloke.
01730 264541
Speak to Sam, Lee or Phil.

And no, I'm not on commission.
Cannonball Bob

Felicity...now that you've confirmed your love affair with the MG, do the decent thing and join one of the clubs - MGOC or MGCC, it matters not, and then you will really be able to enjoy and join in with loads of MG related events,runs, shows etc,to show off your pride and joy
Blue Max

Or try SEF pub lunch tomorrow.
Flat cap, beard and love of real ale not required.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.morris4/SEF.htm)
Cannonball Bob

Cannonball Bob will be the one in sheepskin flying jacket, white silk scarf on outstretched coat hanger and a large moustache.

Also quite friendly and extremely helpfull.
JohnP

<<Techspeed Motorsport in Coventry>>??
Have they moved?

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

I think Phil knows a quick route from Coventry to Leamington
JohnP

Q Phil to point out that Techspeed have a CV postcode.
JohnP

They have a CV postcode!! ;-)

Seriously, they have not moved, it's just that more people can relate where Coventry is than Leamington IMO. I know I find it easy to associate that some where is near a major city! That's all
Phil

Felicity, there is a good MG Rover dealer close to you, in Ottershaw. http://www.tridentgarages.co.uk/otter.htm

They've looked after my P reg VVC since new and neither I nor the previous owner have had any problems with them. Their prices seem reasonable (ha, ha!) as well.
Kelvin Fay

Felicity,
Please join your nearest MG Car Club, be it the MG Owners Club, or the MG Car Club. I would also mention the Octogon Car Club,( Pre 1955, but that will come later when you have completely got the MG bug!)As the owner of 2 mgtfs, one a 1954 TF1500 and a 2003 MGTF, the latter of which has reached some 6000 miles since last April, including some hard Continental rallies, without any troubles.
Any one of the members of these Clubs will give you support and help in providing recommendations as to reputable help without any form of bias.
I completely agree with the previous comments re predicted HGF,Clutch failure.
Dont worry, enjoy your MG,join a Club, and like me, still enjoying the friendship after 70 years.
John,MiMechE.
John Adams

Hi Felicity,

Don't like the sound of your dealer much but I would suggest that you should budget for a HGF based on the year of your car.I suspect this is what they based their prediction on. My 1998 VVC HGF occurred after 12,000 miles from new on a well maintained and driven car. That said, if your car has managed to get a few thousand miles under its belt without a HGF then you might be lucky on the head gasket front. I love my MG also, I plan to keep it forever however if I was to use it as my everyday transport I might have a different opinion of it.

Regards
Paul Robertson

Speed bumps. definitely slow down. I leanr from the experience of having to have my suspension reset.

The screwed up (whince) face after slowly impacting a poorly designed speed hump is one of the few downsides of owning such a beautiful car.
antony

This thread was discussed between 31/10/2003 and 11/11/2003

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.