Technical help and advice wanted please?

[lloyd]

Hi Fogman. The exhaust fumes aren't all that white really, just steamy when the temperature is below freezing. It's fine again now, but as you and others are saying, where has the coolant gone?.................Once Christmas spend fest is over I'll get it compression tested. Hopefully nowt serious being only five years old and under 30k on the clock........

[fogman]

well i wish you good luck & ill keep my fingers crossed for you let us know how you get on ! !

[lloyd]

Thanks, Fogman. Have to use it tomorrow to collect our Christmas guest, 45 min round trip to Bristol Parkway, so will check coolant levels after that. Cheers for the help etc.

[lloyd]

Well chaps, (and thanks for all the replys). it's using about a pint of coolant every 15 miles. Also as predicted the exhaust fumes are now very white and billowy. Guess that's that then. So how much does a new gasket cost, and will I need my head skimmed?........Is it better value although more costly short term to simply replace the engine with an lpg lump?

[Sir-Doris]

Head gasket set around £50 or so. You will need to get the head skimmed to be absolutely sure, particularly as its overheated a few times. make sure the set comes with new bolts and you may as well replace the water pump and timing belt while your at it.

Provided the engine is otherwise ok and the head is done properly it will be good for years to come.

The 2.2 doesnt like high revs and an oil and filter change every 5k miles wont do it any harm.

[4x4 bobby]

Hey up Phil, Might be inline for a 2.2 that some idiot has taken the engine apart so all your info on here has be well recieved mate. If iget and need more info ile be PMin you. And what you doin up this time in the mornin my excuse is im workin???

[Sir-Doris]

[4x4 bobby]

Have a goodun mate!!

[jcv1968]

I've often wondered why you all call it the "dreaded head gasket" I don't think its that bad, it's a lot easier than some I've done and all the parts are available at a reasonable price, even if the head is warped its a doddle to skim, some are nearly impossible to set up in a milling machine. If anyone wants a real challenge try a head gasket change on an MGTF. Now that really is dreaded.

[Rifleman]

Best to go the whole hog while it is stripped.
When you get the head skimmed, have it xrayed too as this will find any hidden cracks.

[fogman]

sorry to hear the bad news lloyd, in theory its a straight forward job but in my case although i had the head skimmed & tested i think its gone again
now i had fully intended to source the h/gasket myself but my mechanic brought a set from the local factor & they were used but on reflection i wish i had researched the subject in more depth but at the time i had a lot more important things on my plate & so i didnt persue the matter further but i would of probably have used a vx or as good as quality h/g as i could of found & then brought a cheap set including bolts from ebay or such sites & use the other gaskets from that, im sure a full set from vx would cost considerably more & its really only the h/g that really needs to be the best you can get !
im sure vx knew that 2.2s have a reputation for having a weak point with h/gs so i would assume that vx would supply far better quality ones now

id say cheap gasket set including bolts £40
head skim & test £80
vx head gasket ?
water pump £25
cam belt kit £60
6ish hours labour ?
oil/filter £30
antifreeze £15

also you wouldnt have a different engine to run on lpg mate your original one would be converted to run on it

[Sir-Doris]

[fogman]

i think some later model mgs are reknown for h/g failures as well sir d i expect vx & mg brought from the same suppliers

[jcv1968]

MGs used to go so regularly you could buy special thick head gaskets to make up the number of head skims, its a real act of contortion on the TF!

[lloyd]

Presumably as long as I keep topping up the coolant no further harm will be caused?

[Rifleman]

Not stricktly true. As there is already some kind of damage, it can only get worse. You need to have it repaired.

[lloyd]

Ok, will book it in tomorrow. I can manage without it anyway and have space on some plastic. The belts were replaced 2000 miles ago so will leave them. Stat is done and water pump only has 38k miles on it, so thats all good too. Lets hope no skimming required.

[fogman]

i think id do the pump while your at it its only [i say only ] £25 & at least you know you shouldnt have to touch it for many years all being well

[lloyd]

Fair point. I forgot to mention earlier, the exhaust fumes only get steamy at normal operating temperature, not before. Not sure this changes anything really.

[Rifleman]

just makes it more obvious mate.