I'm gutted :(

[M77XNE]

Well I think the HG is defo on it's way out now. Looked at the coolant lastnight before I went out, it was a muddy oily sludge when i ran my finger around in the coolant bottle. I checked the oil and that looked fine apart from the slight 'mayo' towards the top of the dip stick, that is condensation.

I have been saying for the last couple of months that it wasn't performing as well as it should be, and I think that is due to the state of the coolant eh?!!

Dad phoned B&G this morning, they have quoted me about 1k including cambelts, but they were changed around 2 and a half years ago when the HG was going before. I think that was about 68k miles, it's now at about 88k, should I get them changed again???

Looks like my mods for this summer are out of the question, unless I can sell all of my rubbish on e-bay and really curb my spending Oh, and what about my holiday in the summer GURR! Fecking car

[Rich]

Max, why are you going to one of the most expensive garages for the job? Try Clifton-Lane on your doorstep (near enough) in Northampton. After all they are recommended by many Southmids Sportsters and have done more HGFs than you can shake a stick at. They are MG-Rover trained and specialise in our cars. They also do a discount to all our members!

And if the head is coming off, all the belts will definitely need be changed. Once used, slackening them of and then retensioning them will make them much weaker and it's not worth the risk. Clifton-Lane use the MLS gasket and alloy dowels so you'll get the full upgrade at the same time.

Details are here...

Rich.

[M77XNE]

I don't know why, but I feel very anti Clifton Lane. I met one of the guys, he has a bald head, and he seemed very weird. I dunno, think it might just be me!

Shall I go for the LR gasket?

Would they do EXACTLY all the same things as B&G are saying they will do.

Going to get Dad to call them now!

[Rich]

Definitely will be the same, if not better, standard! And they guys are fine, even if they have got bald heads. Very friendly bunch. The MLS gasket IS the LR gasket, in as much as LR use the MLS gasket!!!!

They aren't open Saturdays though so you may hae to wait until Tuesday morning...

Rich

[M77XNE]

Thanks Rich - spoke to me darrr and he said go to C/L to sort it. Until then I think I will be using my bike a wee bit more!

Gotta get it sorted ASAP though coz I want it for Silverstone!

[Guest]

Hey Max, sorry to hear this, altho I did have my suspissions with the probs you've been mentioning for a while. I def wouldn't use B&G at that price, plenty of other people around to do the same job for less. As for belts, YES always change them, you should never refit an old belt!!! Just think, if the belt goes, you'd be like me and have to have a new engine!!!

If you aren't bothered about having a proper garage do it, and can handle a more relaxed turn around time, I can have a chat with the guy that did my engine swap. He'd do it for even less than CL, but you'd have to wait as he has a few other jobs on the go right now.

[M77XNE]

Thanks Stewart, but I think I want it done asap as I don't want to risk it going BANG!!

You will be pleased to know that I washed and wax polished it today....and found a few more lil rust patches for you!! I break up for half term again around May 22nd - Fancy sorting something out?

Oh yeah, where you G10'ed it the other week it has come up a treat, there are still some real flat patched on the wings - I need to get my hands on some of that bootiful stuff. Can you get it from Halfords?

Hope ya doing okay buddie, and thanks for advice guys.

PS, Stewart, any news on the hoops you mentioned a while ago?

[Guest]

No prob, I know how it feels to be without your car for too long!!!

Looks like i've now got HGF in my LR! It was only done 14 months ago, and had the full range of LR mods and cost a total of £1200 last year, so shouldn't have gone again already, but hey ho! And Shaggy has another problem, the exhaust is blowing at the joint between the manifold and front pipe! It's a never ending thing with british cars!

Well done on your wax and polish. Halfords don't sell Farecla products, but the stuff to get is Farecla G10 finishing compound. No point in buying any other grade, as you really won't need it unless you are spraying, and as I'll be doing yours for you, I already have plenty! If you want to leave it all till we do the rust patches, then you can use my G10. You shouldn't use the stuff too often, so probably a waste buying your own. I could do 29th/30th/31st May if that works for you? Just in time then for the Grand Day Out on the 1st June!

As for hoops, sorry hon but I completely forgot! The main question is do you or would you ever want to fit a windstop? If so, then don't go for the ones I might be able to get for you! If however you just want hoops, then leave it with me and I'll see if there are any available.

[M77XNE]

I cannot believe that you may also have HGF in your LR gasket - that is MADNESS!!!! It really is just one thing after the other for you eh - Bleedin' cars lol

What is this 'Grand Day Out' thing Stew? (I'm slow on the times ) Those dates you gave me sound good, I will double check dates with work and make sure, but I'm sure it will be okay.

With regards to the hoops I'm not too bothered about a windstop, although one would be nice. But I will sell the mesh one I have to help pay towards other nice bits and bobs!!

Anyone fancy a drive out today, I do - What you up to Stew and Rich? I might be able to borrow my mums f.

[Rich]

Since when is a Freelander an MG?

Sorry to hear that Stewart. Seems your Freebie is getting jealous of all the money you're spending on Shaggy. S'pose I was very lucky when I had mine. Not a single problem in all the time I had it. But who's to say it hasn't had a HGF since I sold it? Still like them though. Wouldn't mind having one in the collection again...

Rich.

[Nick]

aaaw Max, gutted for ya hope it works out at a 'reasonable' price with the discount etc. I'm a little concerned myself, at last months meet 3 Charcoal Fs 2 of which have blown up recently, mines the only one left that hasnt..... yet.
*checks credit limit on Barclaycard*... darn those Tahiti Fs and their relieability

[Rich]

That's only recently though. Mine has had two major disasters already. Firstly, the bearing in the timing belt tensioner decided to disintegrate, causing the belt to jump off and the head to say goodbye to ten valves. All was fixed but with a standard gasket (as the new one wasn't available then). Secondly, that stadard gasket gave up so it all had to be done again, but this time with the new MLS (LR) gasket and stuff. Been reliable since, but both hurt my bank balance at the time. So Tahiti Blue is no more reliable than any other colour... unfortunately!



Rich.

[Guest]

Talking of colour! Max, i'm just ordering some bits for my car, so will order up your paint. Could you double check your paint code is LVD.

[M77XNE]

Stew hun, I can't check it as it is now in Clifton Lane getting fixed. I'm almost sure it will be the same though, just let me know how much I owe you.

Well, the car is now in the garage, and I must say that the garage is EXTREMELY clean, although I nearly fell on my butt because there was grease on the floor. lol

I am now in their F courtsey (?) car....it's automatic, cheery red and with a reg of yoo!!!! lol And the bonus is that I am flying the SMS flag too

[Rich]

Well done Max. So you've got the red one with the... erm... outstanding xpower green graphics! Stands out doesn't it. I hope your car is sorted very soon and at a reasonable price. Are you having anything else done while it's there?


Rich!

[M77XNE]

Getting the coolant pipes done, cam belts and urmmm, water pump I think. I was going to get a new flexi pipe to, but I figured that my lil buddies Stewart or some of you lovely lot could show/help me do it

You know that horrid rasping noise I have on my exhaust, well I think it's coz of the flexi pipe, not too sure though. Is there a way to test it?

[Rich]

When your flexipipe goes, it doesn't rasp... It roars! Mine went about a year after I got my F and I went over to MGOC at Swavesey where they fitted a lovely new one. Theirs wasn't a genuine MGR one and the flexi bit is constructed slightly differently too. Better I hasten to add! It's all one part from the exhaust manifold to the cat so can be very difficult to remove. Personally, I'd get that done with the other stuff if yours is going, before you start to get the fumes coming through. Mine was giving me severe headaches everytime I went out... If it's not that bad, I'm sure we'll be able to help, as long as those bolts aren't rusted together!


Rich

PS Most aftermarket exhausts will rasp after a while, unless they are just too loud to hear anything else... don't you agree, Stewart?!

[Rich]

Max, any news on the patient yet? Are the doctors at MG hospital doing a wonderful job? Keep us updated. Might pop round and have a look. Martin is used to me appearing unannounced...

Rich.

[M77XNE]

They phoned me tonight telling me that they are going to do the tensioner thing (Stew knows, I told him earlier). They also need to get hold of the 'liners'. Can't remember what he said though.

They are really nice in there....If you do go in Rich, feel free to stick a flag on for me - under the passenger side rear light - Black!!!

Might be next week now when I get it back, no worries though as I'm in no rush.

Oh yeah, also Rich, can you get my paint number thing for stew if you go in - he is getting some paint for my 'rusty' bits!

[M77XNE]

Had an update from the garage today - I now need a new radiator...I had the feeling they might say that to me Oh well! At least it will all be done

[Lee121]

Max honey....sorry to read of your mechanical woes...at least she'll be tip top again soon

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