How to look after an MG cooling system.

I have had a few cars in with problems in the past, the owners have raced the cars around, enjoyed the performance, then stopped and switched off and it's boiled over. This was a problem from new.

A mid-engined cars radiator is in the front of the car. As the engine is virtually enclosed, it gets hot. Racing around is fine, and while the engine is running the water is flowing around. Hot water heading to be cooled. The second you turn your engine off the pump stops and the hot water stays around the hot engine. The rad fan only cools the water in the rad, and of course it will not be able to cool the engine as its 10ft away. Rover should have fitted an electric pump to keep water flowing for a few minutes after shut down, but they didnt.

So, after racing around, drive in high gear at around 40 mph for a couple of miles to allow the engine and water to cool down a little. That way the oil and the water are cooled while being pumped around the engine. It only has to drop a few degres to be safe. The rad fans dont do much to a switched off car. On a front engined car the radiator is at the same height as the engine and next to it, so cool water will mix a little with hot. Plus the fan will fan the engine bay as well. All mid engined cars suffer the same problems. A bit of understanding on how your car works and what your car needs will keep her sweet.

Good advice Daz and great words of wisdom;

"A bit of understanding how your car works and what your car needs will keep her sweet."

Thanks for taking the time to post it

thats no problem,i work around these cars 70 hours a week,but its surprising how much people dont understand there cars.sports cars really do need drivers that understand them,other wise the breakdown.its the same as sports motorbikes.these cars had some very clever design aspects,the quality of the parts let them done but not the design,and its difficult to really make big improvments to the car.mg did do a better job then it gets credit for.But it is surprising how many people dont know how there cooling system works,and then blame the car.if only the cars could talk

Wise words indeed. Good advice for all members there Daz. Cheers.

you should be ok leigh as you only manage 35mph :woohoo: