MGF / MG TF

1995-2011 / Roadster / United Kingdom

All MGF / MG TF problems All workshop problems

Critical Cooling System Issues

Coolant Hose Deterioration

Symptoms

Coolant leaks from split or perished hoses. Hoses feel soft, swollen, or show surface cracking.

Cause

Rubber hoses degrade with age and heat. The mid-engine layout means the cooling system has extensive hose runs between the front radiator and rear engine, with multiple connections and potential failure points.

Fix

1 Replace all coolant hoses as a set ($100--250 AUD for a complete kit). Silicone hose kits ($300--500 AUD) are a worthwhile upgrade -
2 they last indefinitely and handle heat better than rubber

Cost mentioned in fix

$100$300

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Other known issues

Critical Cooling System Issues

Expansion Tank Cracking

Coolant weeps or sprays from a crack in the plastic expansion tank. The tank may split suddenly under pressure, dumping all the coolant. Coolant level drops with no apparent engine fault.

Minor Cooling System Issues

Thermostat Failure

The engine overheats, particularly at sustained speeds. Alternatively, the engine never reaches operating temperature (thermostat stuck open), which causes poor fuel economy and increased wear.

Critical Cooling System Issues

Water Pump Failure

Coolant leak from the pump weep hole. Bearing noise (grinding or whining) from the pump area. Overheating from reduced coolant flow if the impeller corrodes or the bearing seizes.

Minor Cooling System Issues

Air Locks After Coolant Work

After any work that opens the cooling system, the engine overheats despite the system being full of coolant. The heater blows cold air. Temperature gauge spikes erratically.

Minor Head Gasket Failure (K-Series Engine)

What Happens

Minor Head Gasket Failure (K-Series Engine)

Why It Happens

All MGF / MG TF problems