MGF Servicing/Repairs York Area.

[spooneryork]

Hello All, I'm a proud owner of my first MG a 1999 MGF, As a precaution I would like the Head Gasket changing as I don't know the car's history. Can anyone recommend a good garage in the York (ish) area for MGF repairs specialist servicing etc...

[nigelandjo]

I'm sure someone from Yorkshire will be along shortly to recommend a garage, but as the old saying goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?" Why spend good money, when the head gasket might not fail? Do you have proof that it has not been replaced in the past? If it was going to fail it is likely (due to the age of the car) to have failed by now. If you have the money to do this now, why not set the cash aside, in case it does go or starts to show signs of going in the future?

[talkingcars]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

A 13 year old MGF should have had a cambelt change by now and be coming up for it's second. I bought my '99 F a couple of years ago without much history. Inspection showed that the alternator belt was on the wayout so I got this and the cambelts (2 on the VVC) changed. Unfortunatly the cam lock tool got left in place resulting in a couple of bent valves so the head had to come off. Despite NO signs of HGF on a 32K car when the head gasket was inspected there were signs that it wa in early stages of failure.

Earlier this year we had the belts and pump changed on my wifes 40k '02 ZR and for the extra £50 we had the head gasket changes as a precaution, again there were signs of early HGF.

In future I shall have the gasket changed when having the belts changed.

As I live south of Gatwick I don't know much about garage services in your area.

[spooneryork]

thanks for the advice. The car has 87k no service history after 24k the car looks like it has been very well looked after. I'm guessing at some stage the Head Gasket must have been done.
I''ll get the cam belt done and leave the head gasket. If the head gasket does fail what are the implications? Do you get much of a warning on MGF's? Also are them wind stopper things that go behind the seats a worthwhile investment?

[Dingbat]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Before spending money on a wind break, you'd be well advised to invest in a low coolant alarm instead.

HGF is most usually caused by a loss of coolant. An alarm will alert you to such an event and give you time to pull over and switch off before doing serious damage to the engine. There are a few threads in the archive about which alarm is best and the benefits of having one - have a dig around and see what you think.

HTH

Brian

[nigelandjo]

thanks for the advice. The car has 87k no service history after 24k the car looks like it has been very well looked after. I'm guessing at some stage the Head Gasket must have been done.
I''ll get the cam belt done and leave the head gasket. If the head gasket does fail what are the implications? Do you get much of a warning on MGF's? Also are them wind stopper things that go behind the seats a worthwhile investment?

Head gasket failure can be fast or slow depending on where and how it goes. Ours failed on the outside and was a slow leak which was easily contained. If it leads to water and oil mixing then it's more serious. Fit a low coolant alarm to give early warning of failure and regularly check the coolant in the header tank. A windstop is a great investment - stops cold air on your neck and keeps the cabin warmer.

[spooneryork]

I found a super Garage that specialises in MG's Which I will definately use again!