CAUTION: the coolant level should only be checked when the system is cold.

• Visually inspect the coolant level is between the two steps of the level marker inside the expansion tank. If the level is low, or has changed appreciably over a short period of time, suspect leakage or overheating.

CAUTION: if the coolant is NOT visible in the expansion tank, the system needs to be re-filled and bleed as discussed below.

• When topping up the resevoir, do so with a 50:50 mixture of water and antifreeze. Do not mix OAT type antifreeze with other types.

CAUTION: the coolant level must not exceed the expansion tank flange.

Causes of a falling coolant level:

1. Failure of the inlet manifold gasket: if yours still has the black (pre-1998) gasket, then it is far far more prone to failure that the later green-coloured spec material. Not easy to spot which your car has with the manifold in situ, but it can be identified by spotting the colour of the gasket tab at either extreme of the manifold at the cylinder head face (picure opposite).
2. Corrosion of the underbody coolant pipes. These corrode from the inside out, which means visual inspections are often unhelpful,but if any suggestion of weeping (starts to become common at 5-6 years of age) then replace. Alloy replacements are available from Mike Satur.
3. Corrosion and failure of the radiator. Again an alloy replacement is available from Mike Satur, or can be swapped with the alloy TF item. Failure becomes more frequent after 5-6 years of age.
4. Old age degradation of rubber pipe work and the rather cheap jubilee clamps that are used- Mike Satur's are much better in that they provide a much more equal loading force over the the circumference of the pipes.
5. Also ensure that the cooling system is properly bled following a coolant change- see Dieter's website as well as below for more info.

There are three bleed nipples in the cooling system of the MGF. One is located by the radiator (A - right and below), the heater (located on the front bulk head behind the bonnet shroud, B) and in the engine bay, on the header rail, pictured from two different angles (C, with filter removed observed from the luggage compartment & D from inside the engine bay with inspection cover removed. The latter provides the easier access).

To bleed the system of air, keep the resevoir topped up with coolant (50:50 water and Unipart Super3 antifreeze) and individually remove the bleed screws one by one to release any trapped air. Ensure that the heater valve is open, by selecting 'maximum heat' on the heater temperature control. Drive the car a short distance, and repeat bleed procedure again once the engine is cold. Repeat cycle until all evidence of air has dissappeared.