OMG ROVAH 45 COOLLING PROBLEMZ

[Partridge]

OK, here’s the background story:

 

Driving back from Warrington, I noticed my 45 was running a tad over the half way mark on the temperature gauge. It climbed higher and higher, and in the end I pulled over at the services for a wee, a cuppa and a tentative poke around once my steed had cooled off.

Ah ha! I found the radiator hose had a crack in it, and was leaking coolant everywhere. So I got some funny looks as I filled a couple of empty Sprite bottles up with tap water in the gents, and then put it in the car to get me home.

Pull in at the next services and repeat.

 

Get a load of my crack. Is it me or does that hose look very thick?

 

The next day I got on the interweb and sought out a replacement hose. Bugger me, 20 quid from Rimming Brothers. I phoned my trusted* garage up, told them the precise details of my Roovahh and the part I needed. They would have it by the end of the week and it would cost 15 quid. I could stomach that.

 

So this morning, a rather quaint MG Rover branded box was in my possession, and inside the radiator hose I’d ordered. It was in a sealed bag, with the clips I would need to fit it. Great.

I went to fit it, to find the bloody thing didn’t fit. It was too narrow-not by a few millimetres but by a good inch.

 

So in a wanky voice I phoned the garage up and explained my problem. They tried explaining to me that the hose was intended for the “updated†K series engine used after 2004, and may not fit. (would have been nice of they told me ). Now, I’m yet to hear about this updated K series engine...

 

So, is this genuine, and I’ve been a knob and not done my homework-or, are they telling porkie pies?

Either way I’m ready wrap this hose around someone’s neck.

[Guest Tony Hayers]

What size lump is it?

 

The 1400 in my 45 has the same diamater pipes as the 1600 in my 1997 216, so make of that what you will Smaller diamater pipes = faster water flow.

[andrew e]

£20 is that all? You bloody minge bag

[Partridge]

What size lump is it?

 

The 1400 in my 45 has the same diamater pipes as the 1600 in my 1997 216, so make of that what you will Smaller diamater pipes = faster water flow.

 

1800 is mine. Hmmm...me thinks they’re telling porkies...

[Partridge]

£20 is that all? You bloody minge bag

 

I object to spending 20 quid on what is effectively a giant piece of liquorish. I’d rather spend 20 quid on something exciting-I can buy a crate of Steller and still have change for that

 

Also, would you be the same Andrew “e†from AROnline? Frankie here

[Morgan84]

It didn't fit, but saved a fiver ! It is common to get wrong parts from factors as there can be catalogue errors, or sometimes just a dopey person ordering the part for you

[Partridge]

It didn't fit, but saved a fiver ! It is common to get wrong parts from factors as there can be catalogue errors, or sometimes just a dopey person ordering the part for you

 

Think next time I’ll loose the fiver, learnt my lesson now Just because it’s in a MGR box doesn’t mean anything though. It could be from a bloody Talbot Matra Rancho before all I know. Usually I just get parts I need from a scrapyard, I’m not greatly experienced at ordering them.

[Morgan84]

You're not a real meanie though, otherwise you would have gaffa taped it up till the local scrappy had one !

[Partridge]

I’m tempted to! What’s the worse that can happen?

[Station]

Upgraded engines have the external thermostat which doesn't allow cooled down water from the rad into hot engine (to prevent thermoshock). You can buy these thermostats, they're pretty good on MGF engines.

[Partridge]

Upgraded engines have the external thermostat which doesn't allow cooled down water from the rad into hot engine (to prevent thermoshock). You can buy these thermostats, they're pretty good on MGF engines.

 

Thanks for that, conundrum solved. If I want to upgrade the cooling system I’ll need to put a new radiator in the car then, as the new hose isn’t compatible. I’ll sleep on it...

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Get Lynn to pester your local MGR dealer, Debenhams etc for a free pipe and thermostat/rad upgrade. Monza might even say yes to a free caravan!

 

It that fails, get her to call them a fat cow and hang up. Or you could just hammer a smaller pipe over it etc etc.

 

[Partridge]

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Upgraded engines have the external thermostat which doesn't allow cooled down water from the rad into hot engine (to prevent thermoshock). You can buy these thermostats, they're pretty good on MGF engines.

 

Yup.

 

Apparently a nice free upgrade on the original Morphy Richards K Series is to drill a 2 or 3mm hole in the stat outer ring. This does mean a slower warm up but it eliminates the thermal shock of a stat suddenly opening and cold coolant reaching hot engine vitals.

For hoses, I just have a big bag of them in the workshop, ideal 4 bodging if bodging is req'd.

[skattrd]

Unless it's a really funky shaped hose I just use an appropriate piece of silicon, it's generally better than the rubber hoses and often cheaper as well.

There are specialised places that can make funky shaped hoses out of silicon for less than you think. I've had Roose motorsport in Lincoln make custom silicon hoses for me before for £40.

[Partridge]

Thanks gents, I’m still deciding what to do...

 

1 Upgrade the cooling system

 

2 Bodge it and wrap some tape around the hose

 

3 Set fire to car and claim insurance money. Buy Jag.

[RobT]

Apparently a nice free upgrade on the original Morphy Richards K Series is to drill a 2 or 3mm hole in the stat outer ring. This does mean a slower warm up but it eliminates the thermal shock of a stat suddenly opening and cold coolant reaching hot engine vitals.

 

Makes it much easier to bleed the system too, as I've learnt from experience. One of the stupidest locations for a thermostat ever IMO is on these, or the 1.4 version anyway. A-series Metro has the 'stat housing standing proud and easily accessible at the top, whereas my old 114 had it tucked away at the back behind the engine, requiring a right old rummage and long fingers. Great engine when it was working though

 

I'm fancying one of these as my next motor, and would prefer an auto but have been told they are shit.

[Lacquer Peel]

4. You're a mentalist.

[Partridge]

RobT, I test drove a slusher equipped 1.6 45 and hated it. It felt slow witted and was just plain ‘orrible. My 1.8 manuel goes like the clappers though, even if you ALWAYS need to double clutch it to find reverse.

 

4. You're a mentalist.

 

It took you that long to work that out?