Topic

MGTF VVC (with PRT) 2004. I have just been cleaning the insides of the metal coolant rail pipes. A plastic component popped out of the narrower of the two pipes, the one that connects to the oil cooler. Has anybody any idea what it is? Should it be there?
Cheers, Tony.

I have no idea, does it have a hole through the middle.

Yes, about 10mm diameter. It is a slack fit in the pipe but gets stuck at the first bend (nearest the gearbox). I am assuming it is a deliberate flow restriction and putting it back.

I'm not sure what it is but I doubt it's supposed to be there. If it was a flow restrictor it would fit the pipe properly. I've never heard of there being a flow restrictor in those pipes before.
I had a burst hose just before the metal pipes(where the multi-armed hose joins the metal pipes) and that was cause by a reinforcing piece from within the multi-armed hose detaching and becoming lodged in the opening of the metal pipe. I suspect this is the same piece that has detached. I will have a look back in my photo records to try and confirm.

It looks similar to what I found. It could just be a later version of the same idea.
have a read of this .

Point taken about it being a slack fit in the pipe - definitely Heath Robinson. My pipework is a bit different with no jiggle valve but the mystery part is an interference fit in the 4-way junction. Perhaps that is where it came from? If that is where it was supposed to be, surely it would be showing up on a parts list or other diagram/picture?

Anybody fancy taking their 4 way junction apart?

You might be able to feel it.

If you want to believe want you read on the internet, there is some talk of a flow restriction to the oil cooler to improve the operation of the heater. Since both the oil cooler and heater circuits are fed from the 4-way junction it seems plausible that the restrictor would be placed there. Anyway, that's where I'm putting it, cheers, Tony.

Its a flow restrictor for PRT models.

Without it your heater doesn't blow warm air unless you are revving above 250rpm Approx

Something to do with moving the thermostat out of the head.

I retro fitted my F with a PRT and I should have fitted the restrictor as my heater doesn't get warm.

Many thanks for the reassurance although my TF does not run very well at 250rpm. Perhaps your computer is running out of '0's?
Much obliged, Tony.