MG TF 1.8 VVC Engine

[jasbo38]

Hi all,

I'm interested in buying an 02 MG TF 1.8 VVC. The car has done 14,500 miles.

Do any of you MG heads have any advice?

I'm in particular concerned about the engine as the head gasket has a bit of a reputation I believe?

If this is the case, what can be done to treat the head / save it from causing any big problems?

Any info or tips will be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

[Blue160]

Don't!

I had a ZR with the same engine and it was the most unreliable thing ever

I'm told the TF's are worse because of the longer cooling circuit

[wadgebeast]

As they say on the pies and piston forum, MX5!

Actually if the head has gone in the past, it's likely to have been upgraded witht the 3 layer sandwich gasket which solves the problem (Lotus style). The mid engine position doesn't exactly help the car cool; typically MG Rover didn't do much about this and gave it a teeny radiator, but lotus had a decent go.

Unfortunately the cars aren't particularly well built and can leak like you won't believe. The seats are too high, the gear stick too low etc... I'll probably get a durge of response from proud and pleased TF owners, so all I can say is if you like it get it, but there are other options. Says the Alfa spider owner...

[MGSteve]

Looks like there are a lot of MG enthusiasts in the MG section then

The cooling system works fine so long as it has coolant in it. You do need to check the coolant level regularly (easier with a TF then a ZR as you can check it every time you open the boot) and if you find the level has dropped its needs investigating ASAP.

Later cars (2004 on) come fitted as standard with a low coolant level alarm as well as a revised thermostat, which operates with temperature and pressure. Both are retro-fittable to older cars and will help reduce the possibility of HGF.

I now own my 2nd TF160, nothing wrong with the first, I just traded it in for a newer one. Before those I had a VVC MGF. None of the three had HGF (or the 2 K-series engined Rover I ownd before that). None of the F/Ts's have leaked either for that matter.
In fact, other then a new rear wheel bearing and a new clucth on my current car, none of them have needed any money spending on them apart from servicing and wear & tear items (discs, pads, tyres etc).

There is a good F/TF buying guide here, which covers most of the basic points to look for, some you will be able to ignor (Hydragas suspension section for example)but should give you an idea:-
http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/info/MGF_buyi...

[bigbadbikercats]

jasbo38 said:

Hi all,

I'm interested in buying an 02 MG TF 1.8 VVC. The car has done 14,500 miles.

Do any of you MG heads have any advice?

Buy it at the right price, keep a few hundred quid in the bank "just in case", keep a weather eye on the coolant level/colour, have it serviced regularly, stop worrying, and enjoy it.

For my money (which it was, I've got an 'F VVC which I've now owned for nearly 2 years and ~25K enjoyable largely uneventful[1] miles) nothing even comes close at the price, when I got mine everything else[2] I looked at was either less practical, slower, scruffier, too expensive, or sometimes all four!

[1] I thought the head gasket had let go a couple of moths back but it turned out to be just the coolant cap...
[2] A motley assortment of MR2s & MX5s, with the odd Fiat Barchetta and Lotus "M100" Elan thrown in for good measure. I do occasionally wonder about the Elan and it has to be said that the Fiat was a pretty little thing...

--
JG

[ronaldo342]

Excellent car go for it,have had a TF for 5 years since new done 40,000 miles and no problems, have now uprated the engine 200BHP+ brakes, suspension etc as I couldnt see any other cars compatible for looks my car is black with 17" black team dynamics alloys,
Standard cars have good performance and good fuel economy too. would recommend changing the head gasket,timing belt,tensioner and water pump at 30K if you want total reassurance as I have known the tensioners to seize, if you want any tips on performance mods or parts I shall try and help also.

[ronaldo342]

Excellent car go for it,have had a TF for 5 years since new done 40,000 miles and no problems, have now uprated the engine 200BHP+ brakes, suspension etc as I couldnt see any other cars compatible for looks my car is black with 17" black team dynamics alloys,
Standard cars have good performance and good fuel economy too. would recommend changing the head gasket,timing belt,tensioner and water pump at 30K if you want total reassurance as I have known the tensioners to seize, if you want any tips on performance mods or parts I shall try and help also.

[T66ORA]

ronaldo342 said:

Excellent car go for it,have had a TF for 5 years since new done 40,000 miles and no problems, have now uprated the engine 200BHP+ brakes, suspension etc as I couldnt see any other cars compatible for looks my car is black with 17" black team dynamics alloys,

Not sure you can get a reliable 200+ bhp out a K series with out spending a fortune? Lotus only take it to around 180bhp. What have you done to yours and what rolling road did you get your figures from? A 200 brake TF would be a bit of a Q car IMO.

[ronaldo342]

lotus done the 190 vhpd, was in the 1st exige, I must admit that it is not cheap to extract that power, I firstly ported my original 135 and fitted piper 275 cams and induction,and got 155 BHP, then lost my marbles forged pistons, banded QED liners,big valve ported vvc head, piper 285 cams and springs,jenvey throttle bodies carbon fibre trumpets,emerald ecu and set up by dave walker, piper exhaust manifold and box,ap calipers and discs with mintex 1155 track road pads,ap racing clutch, gaz adjustable shocks, etc etc, looks pretty standard apart from black 17" wheels with toyo proxis corners brillianty,
the Mgs on track have a few fs running with 180+ and one tf runs on nitros oxide,i believe she got 230BHP on the rolling road, these all have to have a current MOT cert to go on track,