MPi head removal with inlet manifold attached?

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Countax
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:40 pm
MGF Register Region: Cotswolds

MPi head removal with inlet manifold attached?

Post by Countax » Sat Jun 24, 2017 7:26 am

Just a quick question to the experts before i embark on changing the HG on my MEMS3 1.8L MPi MGf.
I hear the plastic inlet manifold is a bit of a pig to remove whilst the engine is in situ, but is it any harder than removing a VVC inlet manifold as i have done that several times?
If it is worse than removing a VVC manifold then i was wondering if it can be left attached to the head and removed from the engine bay with the head.
If this is possible then any tips would be welcome ( other than pay someone to do it! ).
Nigel

The old one
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 8:06 pm
MGF Register Region: East Anglia
Model of Car: 1.8 l

Re: MPi head removal with inlet manifold attached?

Post by The old one » Sat Jun 24, 2017 8:26 am

Nigel,
Yes it is possible, I done it a couple of years ago, just remember to cover up the alternator to stop liquids entering when the seal breaks.
Steve

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Tipper
Posts: 720
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:39 pm
MGF Register Region: Devon & Cornwall
Model of Car: RV8 + ZS180
Location: Exeter, Devon, UK

Re: MPi head removal with inlet manifold attached?

Post by Tipper » Sat Jun 24, 2017 11:09 am

Leaving the manifold on the head during head removal is the recommended way by at least one of the famous MG Mobile Mechanics.

I changed the inlet manifold gasket on mine when I had the head on the bench. Really easy that way but only do it if you are having to changed the head gasket! :lol:

Countax
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:40 pm
MGF Register Region: Cotswolds

Re: MPi head removal with inlet manifold attached?

Post by Countax » Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:32 pm

Well that was an easy head removal once i had worked out to disconnect the multiplug.
The reason for changing the head gasket was because the car was new to me and although being a 2001 model it only had 54k on the clock and previous owner had no mechanical history of the vehicle. There were no outward signs of the cam belts nor the HG having been changed so i was doing a major service on them and decided to do the HG whilst deep into the engine bay as a precautionary measure. I had the gaskets in my parts bins so the additional cost would be minimal.
When the head was removed guess what i found.....an MLS gasket! Darn it i thought, a wasted exercise. BUT what i did find was a load of crystaline stuff around the liner nearest the water pump and the black surface treatment on the face of the shim had warped and was separated from the shim. I have never seen the crystaline stuff before so i am wondering what it could be. There was no evidence of it in the radiator nor in the water pump. My next job is to drain out the coolant around the liners and clear out all this stuff and inspect the head ready for refitting.
Nigel

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ArntyR
Posts: 323
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MGF Register Region: South East
Model of Car: 2010 TF135 Style
Location: West Sussex

Re: MPi head removal with inlet manifold attached?

Post by ArntyR » Sun Jun 25, 2017 10:26 am

Aw...nooo...could it be the dreaded leak sealant?

I'm still having therapy for emotional scarring even tho' the physical abrasions on my wrist and fore-arms have long-since healed (due to imgasket replacement in situ and subsequent discovery of leak sealant 'felony')

Unlike you I haven't done a full HG swap yet (respec' bruv) but I now KNOW that it's a no-brainer not do both at the same time. Perhaps, even, change my black plastic ('05 TF 1.6) inlet manifold to the aluminium version that every other TF model but mine has (sigh...)?

BTW thanks for your feedback but not aware of any multiplug prob (?)

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