MGF Head Gasket Failiure

David · 2004-12-27T08:55:38+00:00

My MGF (98 s reg) cut out in a cloud of steam whilst on the M20 onChristmas Day.The only indication that anything was wrong was that the heater wasntworking (it worked ok the day before). At the time of the failiure Iwas checking the temp guage (the dashboard one, not the central one)and it was definately normal. After the engine had cooled I checkedthe water level and it was empty.My dad came along with 4 lts of tap water and we filled it up. Wewatched it for several minuets and it didnt leak out so we started theengine (in hindsight I know this could have been a very bad idea!) -the engine started on the second turn of the key and ran fine, my dadwas watching for steam/smoke etc and there wasnt any so we switchedthe engine off and checked the coolent again which had gone down quitea bit.At this stage we took a look at the oil and although we couldnt seeany water mixed with the oil it did look a bit more cloudy thannormal. We decided it wasnt worth risking driving it and got it towed(eventually!) to the MG garage.From a quick look online it would seem likely that this is a headgasket failiure and I have a couple of questions...1) What is the likely cost......If I can get away with just a gasket being replaced? (£900?)...If the cylinder head also needs skimming? (£1800?)...If the engine is a write off and needs replacing new or recon?(£3200?/£????)2) What are the chances of each of the above scenarios given that theengine ran ok after it had cooled?3) The car is only worth about £5000 and I was planning on selling itanyway, would a new engine reduce the value or increase the value?4) Would 4 lts of tap water reduce the concentration of anti freezeenough to cause freezing whilst it sits on the garage forecourtwaiting for the garage to open after Xmas? (we have had quite a lot offrost but no snow)Thanks for any help!David Bevan

Dec 27, 2004 22 Replies

Rate this thread:

uNkulunkulu 21 years ago

On yours?

Can't say what the top end is on mine as at 6000rpm (around 125-130 mph) there is still some revs left. All speedometer indications as there is no gps fitted.

-- VOTE FOR AN INDEPENDENT ENGLAND VOTE SNP

uNkulunkulu uMvelinqangi Mina bona wena mina bona lo mombi yena lo shatini Skat lo Boss yena fika, nika yena iwhisky

snipped-for-privacy@izulu.kya.kamina

Vote

junk1 21 years ago

Thanks to everyone for your advice etc. It was the head gasket, it hadnt caused any damage to the engine so the total bill was =A3659.

This was from an MG garage (where I bought it and serviced it), also included in the price was a cambelt change and a 1 year garauntee.

The garage had the car just under 2 weeks, but infairness to them I hadnt booked it in (since I didnt know it was going to breakdown) and it was over Christmas so it only accounted for 6 working days. Thanks

David Bevan

formatting link

Vote

Bloggs 21 years ago

K series engine head gaskets fail at around 60,000miles, little pegs on the head stop the gasket from spreading - originally they were plastic pegs and now they are metal. Replace pegs and uprated head gasket and water pump (because that fails at around that time, too). It costs around $NZ 2,200.00 from Rover, from others it is around $NZ1,250.00.

I hope this is helpful to you,

Bloggs.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required