'00 MGF advice
Discussion
I have been offered a 2000 1.8i F on a PX basis & am looking for some advice on where to start looking around it for problems when he arrives to do the deal.
Also, where is the best place to get hold of accessories- like Roll Hoops & a boot rack?
So far i've found Moss & Brown&Gammons.
Are there any better(read cheaper) places to get quality parts for the F from?
Thanks in advance,
OD
Also, where is the best place to get hold of accessories- like Roll Hoops & a boot rack?
So far i've found Moss & Brown&Gammons.
Are there any better(read cheaper) places to get quality parts for the F from?
Thanks in advance,
OD
The good Dr Rob Bell's site is probably the best place to find info and has a buyers guide http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/ As for bits and pieces - the MGOC, Mike Satur, and the MGF Centre are all the usual places. Good luck with it, find a good one and you can have a lot of cheap fun 
Thanks, I am going to enjoy it for a while (well, while the sun is out anyway)- it certainly was'nt the plan to end up with an F while the missus is pregnant, but it's a nice distraction from all the whinging!
Now, i've read all sorts on the internet about HGF- it's pretty hard to ignore, which seems to be pretty much nailed by now with the SML gasket, a head saver- whatever that is, an uprated lower rail & the replacement of the rad cap every year.
Seeing as the car has 109k on the clock- i'm imagining it's been done twice- whats the likelyhood of having all the upgraded parts fitted?
And, if fitted, how well- or how much longer will the HG last before failing again?
After reading up, it looks like the worst candidates were between 97 & 98- MGR had most problems sorted out by 2000- bar the movement of the thermotstat housing to the side of the block in 04...
Would that be feasable on the F? or will it be too much expense?
Also, again after reading, it seems the main cause of HGF is coolant loss. Is it coolant loss in the engine (i.e. HGF) or is it, somthing simple like, coolant hoses et all- i.e lack of basic maintanence?
And, is it worth taking out some sort of waranty cover for it?
I have a friend who runs a garage workshop, said the last Warranty work he done on HGF, he had to give up chasing the company for the money.
Apparantly, not worth it.
Has anyone got any experience with the life expectancy of HGF & also any warranty companies?
Now, i've read all sorts on the internet about HGF- it's pretty hard to ignore, which seems to be pretty much nailed by now with the SML gasket, a head saver- whatever that is, an uprated lower rail & the replacement of the rad cap every year.
Seeing as the car has 109k on the clock- i'm imagining it's been done twice- whats the likelyhood of having all the upgraded parts fitted?
And, if fitted, how well- or how much longer will the HG last before failing again?
After reading up, it looks like the worst candidates were between 97 & 98- MGR had most problems sorted out by 2000- bar the movement of the thermotstat housing to the side of the block in 04...
Would that be feasable on the F? or will it be too much expense?
Also, again after reading, it seems the main cause of HGF is coolant loss. Is it coolant loss in the engine (i.e. HGF) or is it, somthing simple like, coolant hoses et all- i.e lack of basic maintanence?
And, is it worth taking out some sort of waranty cover for it?
I have a friend who runs a garage workshop, said the last Warranty work he done on HGF, he had to give up chasing the company for the money.
Apparantly, not worth it.
Has anyone got any experience with the life expectancy of HGF & also any warranty companies?
As far as the roll hoops and boot rack go Id be inclined to look at ebay. I bought both on there.. cant recall what I paid for the hoops but it was a lot less than retail and they actually ended up being Brown and Gammons behind an ebay name. The rack was second hand and about £80 I think. Be aware that some require holes drilled, I went for the genuine black MG that just bolts on.
HGF I think is just down to luck. Ive just ( Monday ) got mine back from its first repair at 39,000 miles. Its a late 04 TF with all the latest engine updates and I did all the right things ( didnt thrash it till it was hot ect ect ) and there wasnt any coolant loss right up to when the HG went. Still went though. It was annoying to be without the car for a few weeks while the work was done but at £500 I didnt think was that expensive.
HGF I think is just down to luck. Ive just ( Monday ) got mine back from its first repair at 39,000 miles. Its a late 04 TF with all the latest engine updates and I did all the right things ( didnt thrash it till it was hot ect ect ) and there wasnt any coolant loss right up to when the HG went. Still went though. It was annoying to be without the car for a few weeks while the work was done but at £500 I didnt think was that expensive.
ol' dirty said:
Thanks, I am going to enjoy it for a while (well, while the sun is out anyway)- it certainly was'nt the plan to end up with an F while the missus is pregnant, but it's a nice distraction from all the whinging!
Now, i've read all sorts on the internet about HGF- it's pretty hard to ignore, which seems to be pretty much nailed by now with the SML gasket, a head saver- whatever that is, an uprated lower rail & the replacement of the rad cap every year.
Seeing as the car has 109k on the clock- i'm imagining it's been done twice- whats the likelyhood of having all the upgraded parts fitted?
And, if fitted, how well- or how much longer will the HG last before failing again?
After reading up, it looks like the worst candidates were between 97 & 98- MGR had most problems sorted out by 2000- bar the movement of the thermotstat housing to the side of the block in 04...
Would that be feasable on the F? or will it be too much expense?
Also, again after reading, it seems the main cause of HGF is coolant loss. Is it coolant loss in the engine (i.e. HGF) or is it, somthing simple like, coolant hoses et all- i.e lack of basic maintanence?
And, is it worth taking out some sort of waranty cover for it?
I have a friend who runs a garage workshop, said the last Warranty work he done on HGF, he had to give up chasing the company for the money.
Apparantly, not worth it.
Has anyone got any experience with the life expectancy of HGF & also any warranty companies?
I think,usually,it's coolant loss that,because of the low volume of coolant, causes the engine to overheat which distorts the block and cylinder head which allows them to move thereby ruining the gasket.....oh,and the plastic locating dowels..Now, i've read all sorts on the internet about HGF- it's pretty hard to ignore, which seems to be pretty much nailed by now with the SML gasket, a head saver- whatever that is, an uprated lower rail & the replacement of the rad cap every year.
Seeing as the car has 109k on the clock- i'm imagining it's been done twice- whats the likelyhood of having all the upgraded parts fitted?
And, if fitted, how well- or how much longer will the HG last before failing again?
After reading up, it looks like the worst candidates were between 97 & 98- MGR had most problems sorted out by 2000- bar the movement of the thermotstat housing to the side of the block in 04...
Would that be feasable on the F? or will it be too much expense?
Also, again after reading, it seems the main cause of HGF is coolant loss. Is it coolant loss in the engine (i.e. HGF) or is it, somthing simple like, coolant hoses et all- i.e lack of basic maintanence?
And, is it worth taking out some sort of waranty cover for it?
I have a friend who runs a garage workshop, said the last Warranty work he done on HGF, he had to give up chasing the company for the money.
Apparantly, not worth it.
Has anyone got any experience with the life expectancy of HGF & also any warranty companies?
Well, I picked it up today. Drives nice apart from a tendancy to pull slightly to the left & alarming brake judder- probably from warped discs.
One thing that has me worried at the moment is it's a pain to get in First & reverse- looks like it will need the clutch lever lubing up & poss a new slave cylinder- hoping it just needs a bleed.
Good fun to drive, although its on hedgemaster tyres & I was papping myself on the way home- you get the feeling there is quite a bit of weight behind you & with the streering being more direct than i'm used to, its taking some time to adjust.
Dried up later on, so took it for a B road blast- had me grinning all the way- & the missus hanging on!
Love it, love it, love it!
Till I get the repair bill, or at least till it breaks down!
One thing that has me worried at the moment is it's a pain to get in First & reverse- looks like it will need the clutch lever lubing up & poss a new slave cylinder- hoping it just needs a bleed.
Good fun to drive, although its on hedgemaster tyres & I was papping myself on the way home- you get the feeling there is quite a bit of weight behind you & with the streering being more direct than i'm used to, its taking some time to adjust.
Dried up later on, so took it for a B road blast- had me grinning all the way- & the missus hanging on!
Love it, love it, love it!
Till I get the repair bill, or at least till it breaks down!
ol' dirty said:
One thing that has me worried at the moment is it's a pain to get in First & reverse- looks like it will need the clutch lever lubing up & poss a new slave cylinder- hoping it just needs a bleed.
If it proves to be the slave cylinder I suggest you do the master while you're about it, mine went last year and (in the face of prophecies from my tame mechanic that the master cylinder wouldn't be far behind) I just got the slave done. Sure enough about three weeks later...--
JG
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