RichardsMG

Hi all,

There are no stupid questions, so here's my stupid question: I noticed the coolant level in the expansion tank of my 2004 MG TF 160 VVC (± 75.000 km) has risen to about an inch above the max indicator when the engine is at (normal) operating temperature – when I open the boot lid after a ride. The level gets back to normal (max) in about 15 minutes. I'm aware of the fact it is called an expansion tank, probably for a reason, but is it for that reason? For the reason that coolant expands when hot? Or, and that's my fear, is it an early symptom of the dreaded head gasket failure and is pressure from the combustion chamber finding its way to some coolant bore? As far as I know the car has its original head gasket. It drives, sounds, behaves absolutely wonderful.

I've asked Google of course and the consensus seems to be that coolant does indeed expand when hot, but by that much? The "hot" level is about halfway max and the top of the expansion tank…

Maybe I'm just suffering from HGF anxiety…

Richard