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MG TD TF 1500 - MG TF Overheating

Hello there, I have a one year old MG TF 160 and have a problem with it overheating when in traffic. The temperature guage would go up very quickly when stuck in town traffic for periods of time.

The first time it happened, I noticed that the coolant levels are low so I took it in and they said there was a pressure problem with the coolant container cap and fixed it. Since then each time I get out of the car, I have checked the coolant levels and it has been fine.

Yesterday I was stuck in some very bad traffic for about 1 hour or so and the temperature was going up and up very quickly. Soon I noticed smoke coming from the back (the guage was above the three fourths mark but below red), so I pulled over and let it cool down.

Once it was cool, I noticed that practically all the coolant was gone. The thing that I didn't understand was there was another MG TF in the same traffic as me and he did not seem to have a problem with the temperature (think it was a TF 135).

Has anyone had this problem before and if so how was it solved ? Also is it bad for me to run it while the coolant levels are so low ? as I fear that if stuck in traffic on the way to MG dealer, the engine might burn out.

Last question is, I understand that sports cars get hot when not driven fast, but how come boxsters, etc were in the same traffic as me and didn't seem to have a problem ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks
CP
C Pathiwille

Your car is about 48 years too new to get the proper response; try the MGF Technical posts. It sounds as though you have a blown head gasket. Street tuned sports cars should NEVER overheat when driven slowly.
George B.

Methinks putting the engine IN FRONT of the
car is handy for keeping it cool... ;)
Will

Will
It might help improve the iffy styling too!
John James

Yes, agree! If it was a real TF it wouldn't overheat!
Peter Daley

Oh yes it would, in the right circumstances!!

Neil.
Neil Cairns

I'm totally confused, but that's nothing new. What is an mgtf 135 and or MGTF 160? Here in the US, the only thing I'm aware of is the TF models of 1954-5 vintage. Something new, or perhaps something we don't have on this side of the pond? Cheers......John Northup
John Northup

Yes John, it's a new one. You guys didn't get the MGF either.

I think they were only RHD but could be wrong there.

Cheers,

Paul
Paul van Gool

Paul
I'm sure they do a LHD version but have been banned from selling cars to North America by BMW in the terms of the sale of MG Rover to the Phoenix Group. I understand the ban is about to expire so they could become available in the US of A.
John
John James

John Northup,
If you go to the home page of this fine web site, you can click on "MGF" under the "MODELS" section for a complete discription of the MGF..
SPW
Steve Wincze

Somebody help me understand why in the world they re-used the TF designation?! :(
Carl

Carl and all others,

... beats the s...t of of me why BMW insisted on calling an inferior vehicle a "TF-135" or whatever. ... puts a blight on legitimate MG TFs made by the MG Car Company.

The F and (ugh) TF 135/160 etc are made in LHD. In fact there were two in Montreal (now down to one). They were ordered by their owners to meet the German Spec because, although they did not recieve specific Transport Canada blessing, the German Spec does in fact meet and in some cases, surpass Transport Canada requirements. I can't speak for the US, but Canadian Specs are somewhat tougher than US (day-time running lights, SI instrumentation and 10kph bumpers to mention a few), so the German specs should keep everybody happy north of the 49th.

I've ridden-in and driven the MGF and the new TF and in all cases, they had SI instrumentation, so that's one area that would be a problem for a US vehicle, and probably why its easier to import into Canada. But because Rover are so dead set against it (and its violates their understanding with Pheonix), you are better to buy from an off-shore dealer like Shipside in Amsterdam or even a UK dealer that will deliver off-shore. And be sure to set up your service and parts supply when you purchase, because if Rover get wind, they won't support you directly, but any good dealer should.

There are legitimate ways of importing ALL models of MG (except the diesels and the Express) into Canada but it has to be done carefully. I've been through this procedure a dozen times with guys in our club and others, who want to import one, but don't believe what I tell them, and they are afraid they will be obliged to take it out of the country (not true!).

Believe me, if I had the quid, at £13,995 to an MGCC member, its great value, and I'd import a TF120 in a heart-beat.

'Ya know the old saying - no guts, no glory.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

This thread was discussed between 30/11/2003 and 03/12/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

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