coolant problem mg zr 1.4 2002

[elissa35]

just bought mg zr 1.4 2002 and it had been sitting in driveway since november...took it in for mot and passed but it keeps cutting out when driven also looked under bonnet yesterday and coolant looks like its bubbling /boiling...the temp gauge has went to red a couple of times but then goes back to just under half way. airlock in system maybe? hoping its not head gasket theres no creamy gunk in oil ..not amused any ideas?

[tim008]

Originally Posted by elissa35

just bought mg zr 1.4 2002 and it had been sitting in driveway since november...took it in for mot and passed but it keeps cutting out when driven also looked under bonnet yesterday and coolant looks like its bubbling /boiling...the temp gauge has went to red a couple of times but then goes back to just under half way. airlock in system maybe? hoping its not head gasket theres no creamy gunk in oil ..not amused any ideas?

First off, i'd get some nice fresh fuel in there as the current stuff has been sat there 7 months.

Ideally i'd say that the coolant cap is no longer sealing the pressure in the system and causing it to boil over.

Either buy a new 1 from Rimmers or take a punt on 1 from the local scrappy/breakers.

[elissa35]

had it along to garage for new thermostat to see if it was that and coolant flush but not that will get new cap ordered and see if that works but garage quoted me 600-700 to fix if its head gasket

[tim008]

Originally Posted by elissa35

had it along to garage for new thermostat to see if it was that and coolant flush but not that will get new cap ordered and see if that works but garage quoted me 600-700 to fix if its head gasket

LOL! @ the "garage".
If it is HGF then get onto Dave & Kayleigh. They will do it for less than half of that price.

I have a second hand coolant cap if you want to take a punt on that first?

[D7FF M]

Any idea what the coolant strength was as if it's sat in the drive since then with a low or 0 coolant strength there's every chance it could have cracked the block "IF" the water had frozen

Not trying to scare you but people can go around In circles replacing parts left right and centre and there being a logical reason after all

Also the k series does not like to get overheated as again this can fracture the head or block and not necessarily cause the head gasket to fail. I always keep an eye on my temperature, if it were ever to start creeping up i switch it straight off as its not worth the risk