My poorly MGF needs a new engine

[YveB]

I have an MG F that is really poorly. I have not been able to drive it for the last few months and following is a report from a mobile mechanic:

Diagnosis report:
Burst hose causing severe overheating & pressure build up, which caused
the Head Gasket to fail.
Cylinder Head un-repairable & Cylinder liners have sunk into the engine
block, meaning that fitting a new Head Gasket would not be a successful
way of repair. It is advised that the engine be replaced for another, to
ensure a good standard of repair.

Does anyone know a good MGF mechanic who wont charge the earth.

Thanks

[Martin_Bmth]

Hiya, That does sound pretty broken. Just a thought .... If its not a special f I recon you might be better buying another one with the head gasket done and 12 months mot (£500-£800ish will get u one with a bit of hunting) and break the bits from your broken one to offset some of the cost. If its a car you love then good luck with getting another engine, there is loads about. Sorry cant recommend a mechanic in wales.

[colintf]

Where in south Wales ???
It always helps us to help you when people are specific with locations
and not just a county or even worse, south Wales, as it's such a big area

[YveB]

I am in sunny Cardiff Bay.

[YveB]

Hi,I have fantastic news - today I picked up my beautiful MGF from Mechanix Garage in Caerphilly and she is running better than ever. However, the story behind my MGF's recovery isn't so good. About eighteen months ago I had a new head gasket fitted by a mobile mechanic from Derby. About eighteen months after this the head gasket went again and the same mobile mechanic came and gave the diagnosis that I needed a new engine. I was charged £140 for stripping down my car and giving the diagnosis and the mobile mechanic left me, with me agreeing to him coming back to fit a new engine, which I later cancelled. I was left with my car in bits. It sat in this state for three months and then I posted a message on Gumtree asking if anyone could help. A guy called Arran replied and he told me he had been a mechanic with a main MG Rover garage for years and had recently left his job to open his own garage. He offered to come and look at my car. He arrived and got to work on my car and told me the only thing wrong with it was it needed a new head gasket. He took my car away and put it back together again with a new head gasket. He discovered when the original head gasket was replaced the mobile mechanic did not skim the head . Arran thought this might have been why it only lasted eighteen months. I have contacted the mobile mechanic and told them their diagnosis was wrong but they are very dismissive saying they stand by their mechanics diagnosis. I am so annoyed with them I am going to complain to Trading Standards. Arran has assured me there is no grey are regarding my engine, it is very clear to see that the original diagnosis was wrong and this would be upheld if a third party were to inspect my car. Anyone wanting a fantastic mechanic who really knows his stuff and goes the extra mile, give Arran a call from Mechanix Garage, Caerphilly. His number is 07881373434.

Thank you to Arran for getting my beautiful MGF back on the road and from now on I will never take my car anywhere else. If you give him work as a result of reading this, please tell him Yvonne recommended him. xx

[nigelandjo]

Glad to hear that your car's back on the road again. Hopefully there will be some more sunshine, so you can get out and enjoy it.

[talkingcars]

Good news Yvonne but Derby and poor repairs sounds familiar, I don't think your story is a one off.

And well done Arran - hope to hear more good news stories.

[ClaraW]

Glad to hear you are back on the road

How about joining SWMGF on a day out?

Our next trip is to Castle Coombe on the 14th September and there should be a pub meet in the next few weeks too feel free to join us!