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MG MGF Technical - Warning: Misty headlamps will cause MoT failure

Pretty much as the title states: I took my 8 year old MGF to the testing station over the weekend, and it failed on the headlamps.

The dipped beams were so feeble, that the pattern wasn't even seen on their chart... :o(

The headlamp bowls oxidise with age - and there is nothing you can do to prevent it (they're aluminium and untreated) - and the only solution is replacement.

I was very fortunate that Chris Catchpole had put me onto Geoff Smith regarding re-silvering headlamp bowls, and co-incidently, I recieved the re-chromed bowls last week - so when the car failed, I was able to remove the headlamps, disassemble them and rebuild them with the re-silvered bowls. A quick drive at night demonstrated a *massive* improvement in headlamp performance! Hopefully these will last longer than the originals as they've been lacquered to preserve the aluminium coating :o)

Other solutions are to get new headlamps from your local MG Rover parts department (very very expensive) or from a more recent car that has been broken for parts... list of autobreakers here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/specialist_autobreakers.htm

Unfortunately, I suspect that this is going to become an increasingly common problem :o(
Rob Bell

What about those of us with Trophy style lamps? Would this mod cause concern for an MOT?
Rob Copeland

Agreed Rob - had my MOT recently and Greg at Techspeed said that one of my headlamps ('96 MPi like yours) had only just passed, and to expect a failure on this next year.

I was expecting to have to replace the whole headlamp unit (ouch - £££) due to the glass going 'milky', but might be able to get away with re-silvering the bowls, so thanks for the info. Will need to investigate whether it is the glass or bowls that are at fault.

I'm hoping someone out there is going to design and release a TF headlamp conversion for the F that keeps the F looks (i.e. no need to replace the bumper as well.

Jim

P.S. Think I will be getting T-S to check my coolant hoses at the next service after reading your other post Rob - lucky escape mate!
Jim Hosking

Rob - no problem - the Trophy mod only effects the silver 'trim' outside of the main reflectors. They have a minimal impact upon head lamp performance.

>> I was expecting to have to replace the whole headlamp unit (ouch - £££) due to the glass going 'milky', but might be able to get away with re-silvering the bowls <<

You should be able to Jim :o) Interestingly, whilst the lenses 'look' misty, they appear so because the reflector bowl behind the glass has practically gone white!!! :o(

Re-silvering the bowls cost 60 quid for the pair - a good deal cheaper than any of the other options.

>> P.S. Think I will be getting T-S to check my coolant hoses at the next service after reading your other post Rob - lucky escape mate! <<

That was a close one - but unbelievably, the OTHER hose has now sprung a leak!!! :o( Nuts.
Rob Bell

Rob

Can you put the rest of us on to Geoff Smith? I had been thinking of replacing the units before my next MOT but would like to consider the other option.

I saw a Rover 416 fail MOT recently because "no discernable beam pattern" so it's not just us. probably the same light unit anyway.
JohnP

I will do John - but I need to talk to Geoff first. Mine were the first MGF units he's been able to complete - and I'd say that the finish on mine were representative of someone on a learning curve. They're not bad you understand - but they're not quite factory perfect. If Geoff can tell me that subsequent units will be better, I'll put his details here.
Rob Bell

Thanks
JohnP

This thread was discussed on 23/02/2004

MG MGF Technical index

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