Cooling system has now been bled and some air did come out. Not much. Topped-up to just above the seam on the expansion tank. I have also replaced the expansion tank pressure cap. Went on a 10 mile round trip to test things and temp gauge is rock steady just below the quarter-to-nine position - when moving forward or idling in traffic. Fluid level had not dropped when cooled down. Hopefully the problem is solved. Thanks guys for all your help.
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I must say, I would have been surprised if too much water in the system could cause 'overheating'. Doesn't seem logical at all. However, when my system was overfull and getting very hot I remember looking at the expansion tank (thinking the reason might be that the water level might have gone down). The coolant was right up to the top of the bottle but none was getting past the pressure relief cap. The whole system looked to be under a lot of pressure so obviously I did not remove the cap until it had all cooled down. I'm still going to bleed the cooling system, I guess there could still be air in there.
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I took another look at the MGF over Christmas and realised that the expansion tank was full to the top, and this was when cold. This is my fault, last time I topped it up I stupidly overfilled it. So I drained some off, down to the correct level. The overheating problem appears to have gone away. I went on a 20 mile run to test it and the gauge stays rock steady at the right temp, whether I am moving forward or standing idling. Could this have been the problem?
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I bought some wipers from Aldi. Very cheap indeed and fabulous. Totally clean sweep and silent. So good that I went back and bought another pair to keep for spare.
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Hi. Very similar problem with my MGF (see Cooling Question). Mine doesn't overheat when Idling, but does overheat if I drive any distance and stop with the engine running - at the lights for example.
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Hi D4KGP. Thanks for your interest. No, not bled yet. I'm not able to do it over Christmas but I'm not intending use the car either. So I will do it in the new year. Fingers crossed the problem can be solved that easily!
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Thank you Cobber! A few things to think about. I didn't realise there was a correct sequence to bleeding the cooling system. Will do as you suggest in the new year and report back if I get a result. Just praying it isn't the HG, I have heard that a tiny crack in the gasket between water jacket and combustion chamber might produce the symptoms I described - with no other obvious outward signs. And that the engine might keep going like that for quite a long time. Very risky though because the HG is bound to eventually go - leaving me stranded somewhere no doubt!
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If I take my 2001 MGF on a run it seems to reach running temperature rather quickly. Then, if I am sitting at the traffic lights, it starts to overheat and the cooling fan comes on. But... if I start it from cold, not intending to drive anywhere and just sit there, the gauge goes up to the right position (just below 'quarter-to-nine') and stays there - no overheating at all. The coolant does not seem to be dropping (I have marked the low-point and the high-point on the bottle), there is no bubbling or traces of oil in the coolant, no white deposit on the dipstick. I don't think it is the dreaded head gasket failure (HG was done 50,000 miles ago). What can it be? Air blockage? Water pump failure? Any ideas would be very welcome.
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