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MG TD TF 1500 - Water from the exhaust

I've only had my TD for a couple of months and now it's started splitting water (and soot) from the exhaust when the engine is revved. I'm hoping this is just a blown head gasket. Is there a simple method of trouble shooting the problem? Is there any point in trying to torque the head or is that just wishful thinking? Thanks
Bob Farnam

It would do that when you firt turn it on after sitting overnight in a cool damp climate. If it does it after warming up then yes, most likely a head gasket.

My experiences is that you have to change it. Also might as well order an exhaust/intake manifold gasket and water inlet too. Don't forget the brass washers for the oil feed if appropriate.

chris
Chris Couper

Bob,

Water from the exhaust is not an uncommon occurrence from the TD (or any car for that matter). As Chris states, it is most likely condensation. If the problem were a head gasket, you would see white smoke (steam) from the exhaust after the engine heated up.

As for the black soot, yes, another common occurrence. The soot is the result of the engine running rich, especially when cold. Not to be worried about, unless the soot is extensive, then some carb adjustment may be needed.

Larry Thompson
Larry Thompson

Bob,
Check for water / antifrezze in your oil. If your due for an oil change drain it into a pan... it should be
real easy to see the 2 "seprate" if left sitting in the pan for a few min's. If that's the case ...then it's time for a close inspection on the head gasket.
Hope it's just condensation!
David
David Sheward

Don't get too drastic now at first. If it were a headgasket problem leaking into a compression cyl, then yes, you would almost certainly see steam (white smoke) in the exhaust. What Bob is describing is normal condensation from a hot exhaust moving through a cold exhaust piping. Mine does it all the time. It will go away after the whole exhaust is thouroughly warmed-up. Agreed, the soot is simply an indication of too rich a mixture....and this probably needs adjusted. Also, check to make sure the choke springs are closing the jets when the cable is pushed in. Sometimes they hang up and the jets stay rich and make the car run like a pig.
Brian

Water is a normal bi-product of combustion, unless the exhust system is warmed up sufficiently to prevent condensation it will condence on the relativly cool surface and then drip out.
Rod Zander

Bob
You don't say if the engine has just been rebuilt, before you bought it. The MGTD shop manual says that you can replace the head without any perma-tex gasket sealer. (Dry fit) I did this on my last rebuild and it leaked. Even after I re-torqued the head. Check the anti freeze for oil and the oil for anti-freeze. Water in the oil will turn white and foamy. Like milk! Its also not good for for bearings. If you have any of the above, remove the head and check the gasket. You could have the wrong gasket for your head. bananna v/s round. Turn head up side down and look at the water port holes, if they aren't round you have the bananna head. You can reuse the head gasket if no damage has been done in removal. I reinstalled my head using permatex spray copper colored gasket sealer and had no problem after. Also on just rebuilt engines the head needs to be retorqued after it has been ran for awhile. (Heated up to temp) Hope this helps.
John
John Hambleton

Hi guys, thanks for all the comments. I decided to warm the car up and carefully watch what happened. Most of my observations have been based on the spray left on the garage floor after driving off. When first started, revving the engine definitely spewed water droplets. As the engine warmed I saw some puffs of white smoke (more when the engine was revved.) But after the engine was really warm I didn't see either. I'm aware of condensation, but I've never seen it to such a degree. I did check the oil, the coolant and for bubbles in the radiator and all seems OK. To answer your question the engine was rebuilt by the PO but it has been some time. I'm not going to worry about it too much for now (I have other issues to deal with, as you noticed, the carbs need attention.) I'm sure that the soot from the rich mixture made the water more noticable. I'll still pull the head some time this winter (Chris thanks for reminding me that I need more than a head gasket) but it doesn't seem as critical now. Thanks again.
Bob
Bob Farnam

This thread was discussed between 14/10/2002 and 15/10/2002

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