Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. : Modern MGs Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #1
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: October 19, 2011 03:27PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,221

Unfortunatley only in the UK.

Just received the Oct issue of "Safety Fast", MG Car Club magazine, and in it was a short article on this company: http://www.mjsautoandmarine.co.uk/

The technician comes right to your car and in 4 hours, you get the head gasket upgraded. He even carries a spare head in his truck if one is required.

With the abundance of HGF on the F, I'm sure he's got plenty of work ahead.

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #2
Mark Jones SW, Ontario, Canada 1970 Triumph Spitfire MkIII 1995 MG F "Barney"	Posted: October 19, 2011 04:09PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 3,135

Lucky buggers

Fortunately, the "technician" that works on my F lives at my house. Unfortunately, he has no experience with K-series HGFs, and I'm sure it will take more than 4 hours and more than likely it will be stretched out to at least two days.

Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club - www.cmmgrcc.org

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #3
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: October 19, 2011 04:43PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,221

Haha....sounds like the guy who hangs around my house, Mark. Must be his brother! smiling smiley

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #4
terreneuve John Stevenson Paradise, Paradise, near Octagon Pond!!!(Yes, really!!!), Canada 1952 MG TD 1967 MG MGB GT 1968 MG MGC 1986 Land Rover Defender 110 1995 MG F → more	Posted: October 19, 2011 05:16PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 567

In reply to a post by Simon Austin Haha....sounds like the guy who hangs around my house, Mark. Must be his brother! smiling smiley

Geez, we are all related!!!

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #5
Rich in Vancouver Rich McKie Steveston, B.C., Canada 1996 MG F "Andy" ~ For Sale ! ~ 1997 MG F "VVC"	Posted: October 19, 2011 07:19PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,392

Brothers of a different mother.

There are several travelling MGF mechanics in the UK.
The most well known is "Saint" Russell.
They do good work for a fair price and seem to have lots of business.
At least one of them will do work over here as long as you provide airfare, tea and bacon baps! smiling smiley

Modern MGs aren't just Transportation, They're a Hobby!

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #6
terreneuve John Stevenson Paradise, Paradise, near Octagon Pond!!!(Yes, really!!!), Canada 1952 MG TD 1967 MG MGB GT 1968 MG MGC 1986 Land Rover Defender 110 1995 MG F → more	Posted: October 19, 2011 09:12PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 567

[quote="
At least one of them will do work over here as long as you provide airfare, tea and bacon baps! smiling smiley

[/quote]

Add some beer and I am on my way! smileys with beer

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #7
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: October 19, 2011 09:22PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,221

In reply to a post by Rich in Vancouver At least one of them will do work over here as long as you provide airfare, tea and bacon baps! smiling smiley

Probably cheaper to buy a car with the necessary repairs already completed. winking smiley

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #8
Rich in Vancouver Rich McKie Steveston, B.C., Canada 1996 MG F "Andy" ~ For Sale ! ~ 1997 MG F "VVC"	Posted: October 19, 2011 09:52PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,392

Unless you happen to work for an airline. winking smiley

Modern MGs aren't just Transportation, They're a Hobby!

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #9
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: October 20, 2011 10:28AM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,221

The other problem is that the only MGF's I know of in Canada are in BC, ON and NL. You guys would have to get them a little closer together to make it worth the effort.

Winnipeg is close to the centre of Canada; let me know when you're going to all meet there and we'll talk. winking smiley

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #10
Mark Jones SW, Ontario, Canada 1970 Triumph Spitfire MkIII 1995 MG F "Barney"	Posted: October 20, 2011 10:47AM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 3,135

I thought Toronto was the centre of the universe?

I've actually emailed a few of the mobile services asking if they would provide a bit of advice. So far they ones that have responded have been quite helpful.

Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club - www.cmmgrcc.org

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #11
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: October 20, 2011 02:19PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,221

Toronto? Centre of their own universe maybe but in the grand scheme of things......nope. winking smiley

Good to hear the UK techs are willing to help out.

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #12
Mark Jones SW, Ontario, Canada 1970 Triumph Spitfire MkIII 1995 MG F "Barney"	Posted: October 20, 2011 02:44PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 3,135

"I thought Toronto was the centre of the universe? "

Sorry, I meant to use my Sarcastica font with that one.

I have learned that I need to first pull the head and check the height of the cylinder liners. If they are flush its best to use the Payen gasket, otherwise the MLS one is the one to use. I've also learned that those cheap HG kits on ebay aren't so cheap once you add in the bits that are missing from them.

Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club - www.cmmgrcc.org

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #13
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: October 20, 2011 04:21PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,221

No worries, Mark. I got the sarcasm. We'll just let those folks from T.O. keep thinking the way they do. smiling smiley

I should probably know this but I'm thinking your F has not had any head gasket changes? I remember talking to Rich when he was looking at his car and asked him if any work had being done. IIRC, he didn't think so when he bought it.

It would seem that the majority of F's out there haven't had the gasket changed unless an issue has presented itself. Personally, I think I'd be proactive and get it done before anything happens; unless of course, there's proof that it has being done.

I hate the thought of losing an engine for want of a pre-emptive fix.

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #14
Mark Jones SW, Ontario, Canada 1970 Triumph Spitfire MkIII 1995 MG F "Barney"	Posted: October 20, 2011 04:49PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 3,135

I have no idea if the head gasket has been replaced or not. The car has almost 90,000 miles on it, and given that it is a 1995, then I would hazard a guess that it has been. But who knows.

I'm going to do the dye test to the cooling system first though in case it is a bad hose. I have no signs of coolant on the floor of the garage but than doesn't mean that it isn't.

If I do the head gasket, I'll be replacing the cam belt, etc, at the same time.

Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club - www.cmmgrcc.org

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #15
terreneuve John Stevenson Paradise, Paradise, near Octagon Pond!!!(Yes, really!!!), Canada 1952 MG TD 1967 MG MGB GT 1968 MG MGC 1986 Land Rover Defender 110 1995 MG F → more	Posted: October 20, 2011 05:20PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 567

Mark,

Don't jump the gun and do the HG yet, but seriously you should put the coolant alarm at the top of the list.

Also, try bleeding the coolant system as there may have been an airlock.

John

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #16
Rich in Vancouver Rich McKie Steveston, B.C., Canada 1996 MG F "Andy" ~ For Sale ! ~ 1997 MG F "VVC"	Posted: October 20, 2011 06:32PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,392

WINNIPEG! I spent a lifetime there the winter of 77'
And I WILL NOT be going back!

My car has around 90,000 miles on it also. I have no idea if the head gasket has been changed,
but for the time being it's running great. (knock on wood)
But I have been offered a VVC conversion kit for 500.GBP and I am very tempted! grinning smiley

That would involve a pre-emptive gasket and belt change as part of the project.

Modern MGs aren't just Transportation, They're a Hobby!

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #17
Mark Jones SW, Ontario, Canada 1970 Triumph Spitfire MkIII 1995 MG F "Barney"	Posted: October 21, 2011 06:22AM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 3,135

Don't worry John, I'm not jumping the gun yet. I am not wanting to rush into a head gasket replacement. You and Roger have been saying the same thing concerning the coolant level alarm, I must buy the kit from B&G.

Rich - I know someone has at least been into the oil pan of mine, I have found one of the oil pans bolts spins freely, which explains the oil drip on the garage floor.

Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club - www.cmmgrcc.org

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #18
mgbgttf Roger Pratten Northampton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom 1973 MG MGB GT 2003 MG TF 135 "None"	Posted: October 21, 2011 05:02PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,731

Rich, not trying to influence you, but I would not go down the VVC route as they tend to be a bit more temperamental and expensive to repair, I would put cold air induction and a free flow exhaust on as I have on my TF135 that added about 14 BHP to mine and if you want more power you could get the car remapped.

http://www.mygraffiti.co.uk
This is my web site with photos and videos of events around the UK and my USA trip with my 2003 MG TF.

Roger R-S.
Enjoying MG's since 1980 with a 1973 B GT and a 2003 TF135 since 2007. I have been a member of the national club since 1980 and a regional secretary for the UK National MGOC east midland's area since 1994, and my local club is the Northants MGOC that I joined in 1980 as soon as I got the GT.
I am also a member of the MGCC of Toronto, NAMGBR, MG Drivers Club and the
CMMGRCC (Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club)

http://www.cmmgrcc.org
http://www.mgnorthants.org/
http://www.mgtoronto.com/

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/2011 05:02PM by mgbgttf.

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #19
Rich in Vancouver Rich McKie Steveston, B.C., Canada 1996 MG F "Andy" ~ For Sale ! ~ 1997 MG F "VVC"	Posted: October 21, 2011 06:47PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,392

Hi Roger,
I already have a Pipercross on my car and love the sound when I put my foot down. It does seem to give a power increase as well. As a matter of fact I have also been looking at a free flow exhaust for the car either instead of, or as well as the head. My mad money is running down and I have to start getting more fussy about what I blow, er, spend it on so I am really thinking hard about both items. I'm not too worried about the added complexity of the VVC, after all I would have the MPi bits on the shelf in case it gives me trouble!
I don't think a remap is possible on the MEMS 1.9 in the car, but an add on chip could be fitted. I don't anticipate going this route though. The fellow I am dealing with on the head offered to port and polish it for me, (He builds K-Series Lotus race cars) but I don't want to get too carried away!
If nothing else doing the VVC conversion would force me to do my cam belt, and would mean changing the head gasket as well, so those jobs would be out of the way. I work for our local school district and it looks like our teachers may be going out on strike. That would mean we would be locked out for a couple of weeks which would give me time to do the engine as well as install the suspension bits I have on hand. If I am going to be home I may as well keep busy! winking smiley

Modern MGs aren't just Transportation, They're a Hobby!

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Re: Mobile MGF head gasket repair facility. #20
mgbgttf Roger Pratten Northampton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom 1973 MG MGB GT 2003 MG TF 135 "None"	Posted: October 22, 2011 02:47PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,731

That all sounds good Rich especially the part about the Lotus K series engineer to help out.

http://www.mygraffiti.co.uk
This is my web site with photos and videos of events around the UK and my USA trip with my 2003 MG TF.

Roger R-S.
Enjoying MG's since 1980 with a 1973 B GT and a 2003 TF135 since 2007. I have been a member of the national club since 1980 and a regional secretary for the UK National MGOC east midland's area since 1994, and my local club is the Northants MGOC that I joined in 1980 as soon as I got the GT.
I am also a member of the MGCC of Toronto, NAMGBR, MG Drivers Club and the
CMMGRCC (Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club)

http://www.cmmgrcc.org
http://www.mgnorthants.org/
http://www.mgtoronto.com/

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