MG ZT 190+ ? Headgasket failure

jpwilliams · 11th May 2009, 19:23

Hello
My 2005 MG ZT 190+ with 44500 miles & without fault to date has suddenly developed a RED temperature gauge warning light. I'm a medic & not a mechanic but the garage ( local ) are convinced this is HGF but I see from the forum that split thermostat housing/stuck thermostat or less lkely a failure of temperature sensor may be responsible. I had cleaned/sponged the car inside over the dash the day before. Could water have somehow caused/had a part to play in current problem? Is HGF recognised so early in 2.5 V6. I appreciate 1.8 can be problematic. Car to be checked by former MGR people tomorrow. If the worst news what likely cost ? I love the car!!
Paul
Dr JP Williams

wutang · 11th May 2009, 21:25

HGF is uncommon on the 2.5 v6, if it is an over heat did it lose coolant? as you say it is more likely that your thermostat housing has given up.

Richard

jpwilliams · 11th May 2009, 21:44

Thanks Richard.
My first reply!
I thought HGFwas improbable. Will see what they say tomorrow. Car bought 1 year old with 9000 on clock from Motorhouse 2000. I did buy warranty for 399 quid against any mechanical failure so may be lucky anyway. Will post info as & when diagnosis/solution sorted!
Thanks again
Paul

David3807 · 11th May 2009, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpwilliams

Hello
My 2005 MG ZT 190+ with 44500 miles & without fault to date has suddenly developed a RED temperature gauge warning light. I'm a medic & not a mechanic but the garage ( local ) are convinced this is HGF but I see from the forum that split thermostat housing/stuck thermostat or less lkely a failure of temperature sensor may be responsible. I had cleaned/sponged the car inside over the dash the day before. Could water have somehow caused/had a part to play in current problem? Is HGF recognised so early in 2.5 V6. I appreciate 1.8 can be problematic. Car to be checked by former MGR people tomorrow. If the worst news what likely cost ? I love the car!!
Paul
Dr JP Williams

Can you tell us a bit more about when the over heat happened or still happens ??

If in traffic could also be a non functioning cooling fan. Could also be a stuck thermostat which is the same cost to replace as a split thermostat housing about £250 or so at X Part dealer prices.

Unlikely to be HGF on a 2.5 - thats the very last thing to consider.

Oh and whereabouts in the country are you. If you can give a rough location someone might have a recommendation for a garage/mechanic.

jpwilliams · 11th May 2009, 22:23

Hi
First noticed yesterday waiting for daughter to come out of cinema!!- engine idling when noticed temp gauge with RED light. Fan had come on. Switched engine off & 5 mins later on our way home. After 5 mins temp gauge fairly quickly climbed to RED light again but after travelling 1 mile gauge came back down to just below horizontal ( normal ). At home engine started& after warming temp gauge went to RED & stayed there. Coolant & oil levels all OK. No other warning lights on Dash. Garage checked this am & thought initially to be OK. Drove for 10 mins & RED on temp gauge again. Taken back to garage. They thought coolant VERY HOT, Supposedly did HG check & felt this was problem. Not so sure. I am BH21 4DQ ( Pole Dorset ). Grateful for any help that limits cost!
Paul
PS On last drive gauge stayed RED light with no normalising

Phil · 11th May 2009, 23:02

Do the heaters work?

AURORA MG · 11th May 2009, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpwilliams

Hello
My 2005 MG ZT 190+ with 44500 miles & without fault to date has suddenly developed a RED temperature gauge warning light. I'm a medic & not a mechanic but the garage ( local ) are convinced this is HGF but I see from the forum that split thermostat housing/stuck thermostat or less lkely a failure of temperature sensor may be responsible. I had cleaned/sponged the car inside over the dash the day before. Could water have somehow caused/had a part to play in current problem? Is HGF recognised so early in 2.5 V6. I appreciate 1.8 can be problematic. Car to be checked by former MGR people tomorrow. If the worst news what likely cost ? I love the car!!
Paul
Dr JP Williams

Where about's in the Country are you? (It doesn't say in your avatar). If you are in Kent or the South East try us for a price. 01634 388999.

kaiser · 12th May 2009, 02:46

Before you panic, you should really check if you have enough water in your cooling system.
Once that is done, let us know.

barry · 12th May 2009, 05:16

hello

Had a similar experience several months ago with my ZT 180 Sport after a coolant change though.

Turned out to be an air lock in the coolant system.
Had there been any work done recently in this area?

Regards
Barry

jpwilliams · 12th May 2009, 06:41

Hi Barry
No work done here. Car never had any problem before. Garage had thought airlock problem but said HG test proved the problem. Oh dear. See what happens today.
Paul

11th May 2009, 19:23	#1
jpwilliams Newbie MG ZT190+ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	MG ZT 190+ ? Headgasket failure Hello My 2005 MG ZT 190+ with 44500 miles & without fault to date has suddenly developed a RED temperature gauge warning light. I'm a medic & not a mechanic but the garage ( local ) are convinced this is HGF but I see from the forum that split thermostat housing/stuck thermostat or less lkely a failure of temperature sensor may be responsible. I had cleaned/sponged the car inside over the dash the day before. Could water have somehow caused/had a part to play in current problem? Is HGF recognised so early in 2.5 V6. I appreciate 1.8 can be problematic. Car to be checked by former MGR people tomorrow. If the worst news what likely cost ? I love the car!! Paul Dr JP Williams

11th May 2009, 23:02	#6
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	Do the heaters work? __________________

12th May 2009, 02:46	#8
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	Before you panic, you should really check if you have enough water in your cooling system. Once that is done, let us know. Last edited by kaiser; 12th May 2009 at 02:48..

12th May 2009, 05:16	#9
barry Regular poster mg zt 180 sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: auckland Posts: 50 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	zt-190 head gasket failure hello Had a similar experience several months ago with my ZT 180 Sport after a coolant change though. Turned out to be an air lock in the coolant system. Had there been any work done recently in this area? Regards Barry

11th May 2009, 21:25	#2
wutang Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.5 auto (LPG) & mg tf 160 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dartford Posts: 1,124 Thanks: 5 Thanked 39 Times in 36 Posts	HGF is uncommon on the 2.5 v6, if it is an over heat did it lose coolant? as you say it is more likely that your thermostat housing has given up. Richard

11th May 2009, 21:44	#3
jpwilliams Newbie MG ZT190+ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Richard. My first reply! I thought HGFwas improbable. Will see what they say tomorrow. Car bought 1 year old with 9000 on clock from Motorhouse 2000. I did buy warranty for 399 quid against any mechanical failure so may be lucky anyway. Will post info as & when diagnosis/solution sorted! Thanks again Paul

11th May 2009, 22:23	#5
jpwilliams Newbie MG ZT190+ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi First noticed yesterday waiting for daughter to come out of cinema!!- engine idling when noticed temp gauge with RED light. Fan had come on. Switched engine off & 5 mins later on our way home. After 5 mins temp gauge fairly quickly climbed to RED light again but after travelling 1 mile gauge came back down to just below horizontal ( normal ). At home engine started& after warming temp gauge went to RED & stayed there. Coolant & oil levels all OK. No other warning lights on Dash. Garage checked this am & thought initially to be OK. Drove for 10 mins & RED on temp gauge again. Taken back to garage. They thought coolant VERY HOT, Supposedly did HG check & felt this was problem. Not so sure. I am BH21 4DQ ( Pole Dorset ). Grateful for any help that limits cost! Paul PS On last drive gauge stayed RED light with no normalising

12th May 2009, 06:41	#10
jpwilliams Newbie MG ZT190+ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Barry No work done here. Car never had any problem before. Garage had thought airlock problem but said HG test proved the problem. Oh dear. See what happens today. Paul