Double 'ard Maestro

[Mat_C]

This is the abuse my 1.3L Maestro took today. We had a flash flood today of sorts (IN JULY??), and the bottom of my lane was flooded. No big deal I thought, it looks deeper than usual but let go. Things were going fine, but the dip**** that I am, didn't take into account that the flow was against me and I was about to suck a load of water in. I stopped dead. Looked down to see mcar slowly filling with water up to the bottom of drivers seat. OH SUGAR (or words to that effect) - I had to stand on the roof of the car to get a signal on the mobile (despite my weedy appearance, I weigh 13st).

My old man came down - by this time it was too deep for his Transit and we pushed it out. It took 10 minutes to drain! Lifed the bonnet, and found pecies of my head gasket all over the engine bay. Towed home.

Turned over engine without plugs - best water gun I've ever seen. Drained river water out of the radiator, drained river water out of sump (more water than oil it looked like). Took head off - Not much of gasket there, but apart from that, it was all fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Replaced head gasket etc etc - Engine working by 8:00pm. Pushed out large dent in roof. Will strip interior out and pressure wash down and wash out tommorrow.

For a C reg car, I think it has to be THE MOST robust C reg car I know of!

[topgear]

so, all in all... a successful day then? ;)

[MGTurbo]

Your lucky, hydro lock usually results in bent con rods and buggered cranks rather than blowing the head gasket out.

Gareth

[Mat_C]

Tell me about it - It must be the only situation where an El Cheapo HG is a good thing! I was expecting the car be totally screwed - especially as the water at the end was up by the glovebox!

[threelitre]

Originally posted by MGTurbo
Your lucky, hydro lock usually results in bent con rods and buggered cranks rather than blowing the head gasket out.

Gareth

Hi!

You're right here... But the MG 1600 I have now was also an exception: The previous owner did drive it into too deep water, it spluttert for a moment and did run on. He did drive it for a few more months, but did notice that he lost more and more power... After dismantling the engine, they found that the water pressure had lifted the head a little and warped it. The crank shaft and conrods still seemed OK. But they really wondered how the car drove on at all...
It's got a new engine now - just before I bought it for 1 Euro :D

[sward]

Maestros are well know for their water-borne durability. Years and years ago the Daily Star ran a feaure on a Maestro that had been swept out to sea as a randy couple had been caught out by the tide. The Maestro was hauled in the next day, dried and out and promptly restarted. The feature was very patriotic, running such headines a British of Best, the British can still build a strong car, that kind of thing. Most amusing, and very lucky Mat C!

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by sward
Maestros are well know for their water-borne durability. Years and years ago the Daily Star ran a feaure on a Maestro that had been swept out to sea as a randy couple had been caught out by the tide. The Maestro was hauled in the next day, dried and out and promptly restarted. The feature was very patriotic, running such headines a British of Best, the British can still build a strong car, that kind of thing. Most amusing, and very lucky Mat C!

No no no, it was a stolen Maestro which was dumped into the sea, here's the newspaper article...

[SimonR]

Great bit of Trivia!

Have you got a higher resolution scan F170? It'd make interesting reading :)

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by F153JUE
Great bit of Trivia!

Have you got a higher resolution scan F170? It'd make interesting reading :)

Yeah, if you send me your email address in a PM, I can send you the larger version.

Steve.