1998 MGF VVC Water in Engine
1998 MGF VVC Water in Engine was created by peterd
Posted 3 years 6 months ago
I bought the 1998 VVC prior to Covid. It appeared to have suffered a head gasket failure amongst other MOT failures. I already had a 1997 VVC and initially the thought was for spares. When I inspected it I thought it too good to scrap and decided to repair. To cut a long story short I completely stripped and rebuilt it replacing parts as required and repainting bodywork.
With the engine out I removed the head and had that skimmed and overhauled. The established repairer said the head was good. So rebuilt it with new head, and inlet manifold gaskets, water pump thermostat etc.ensuring the liners where at the correct height and the head and block surfaces clean and flat. The head gasket was installed as per the recommended procedure. I rebuilt the car and it started first time during February this year. I did notice condensation from the exhaust but assumed this would clear with running.
Took it for MOT in March and it passed so emissions ok but the condensation became worse. After some deliberation I decided I had somehow not installed the head gasket correctly or the gasket was inappropriate (non MLS). When I removed the head all 4 cylinders had coolant in them but the head gasket looked good.
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With coolant in all 4 I was somewhat puzzled. It seemed to confirm my installation doubt. So I obtained and fitted a MLS gasket and new bolts and fitted these being meticulous with the installation and using an angle gauge to ensure correct tightening. Rebuilt and again started first time but I appear to have excess condensation from the exhaust. I've run it for 20 minutes but the condensation persists. The coolant temperature gauge didn't move during the run. Not sure if this is related as when I originally did the head gasket the gauge read normally. So this may be a connection problem from reassembly.
I'd appreciate any help to diagnose the problem.
With the engine out I removed the head and had that skimmed and overhauled. The established repairer said the head was good. So rebuilt it with new head, and inlet manifold gaskets, water pump thermostat etc.ensuring the liners where at the correct height and the head and block surfaces clean and flat. The head gasket was installed as per the recommended procedure. I rebuilt the car and it started first time during February this year. I did notice condensation from the exhaust but assumed this would clear with running.
Took it for MOT in March and it passed so emissions ok but the condensation became worse. After some deliberation I decided I had somehow not installed the head gasket correctly or the gasket was inappropriate (non MLS). When I removed the head all 4 cylinders had coolant in them but the head gasket looked good.
With coolant in all 4 I was somewhat puzzled. It seemed to confirm my installation doubt. So I obtained and fitted a MLS gasket and new bolts and fitted these being meticulous with the installation and using an angle gauge to ensure correct tightening. Rebuilt and again started first time but I appear to have excess condensation from the exhaust. I've run it for 20 minutes but the condensation persists. The coolant temperature gauge didn't move during the run. Not sure if this is related as when I originally did the head gasket the gauge read normally. So this may be a connection problem from reassembly.
I'd appreciate any help to diagnose the problem.
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