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MG MGF Technical - bl**dy dealers

My 5 year old F, in my ownership for a paltry 6 months, has just returned from its 4th visit to the dealer for repairs under warranty.

The list this time was

1 - losing coolant, only slowly, but losing it all the same.

Dealer pressure tested it for 30 mins and found no leaks, So where is the coolant going?

How do they do a pressure test? is it done via the reservoir? if so I spose I could have the infamous faulty cap.

2 - suspension down at one side - 2nd visit

Dealer response - we've pumped it up for you sir. My response, you did that 8 weeks ago and its gone again. Dealer "Oh"

3 - nasty vibrating noise when foot goes to the floor when accelerating - 3rd visit.

Dealer response - we've heard the noise and its very annoying (this is an improvement on the last 2 visits where they have returned the car with no fault found)Its fixed then??

err nope, couldnt find where it was coming from so we need to strip the inside and engine down.

The upshot of all this is they'vs had the car all day and failed to resolve any of the issues. The car is now booked in in 2 weeks time so they can "have a proper look". 2 weeks was the earliest they could arrange a courtesy car.

moan over, thanks for listening
Colin Ashworth

Colin, greatest sympathy - other than divorce, there is nothing worse than buying a car that lets you down; except buying it from a dealer that lets you down.

Weak attempt at cheering you up - re:3 could it be wheelspin when you accelerate?
JohnP

I think I get the same rattle as you when accelerating, mine kicks in around 4000 rpm and is very very annoying.

I'm not sure if anyone else would even notice but it is driving me mad at the moment, I cant seem to hear anything but it and spend my whole time driving trying to locate it.

Let us know if they find the cure, my rattle comes from the passenger side, behind the seat, sort of engine bay area.
Steve

I used to have a rattle in my 96 F. I used to notice it in 2/3 gear at about 2000-4000 revs.... it used to die out after 4k revs.

Mine was never solved as I sold the car, Sorry I'm no help!!!
Darran

VVC by any chance?

The rattle could be a cam bolt about to lose it. GET IT CHECKED ASAP - cam bolt failure tends to be somewhat terminal for the valves.
A

Colin,

My advice is chase and chase and chase Rover to resolve this.
I am trying to resolve ver similar issues with Rover. I have now passed 6 months, and the 30 letter barrier.

Bordering going for publicity (MG World, Watchdog, Small Claims, Local Paper etc)..
May I recommend you conact Susan.Formaston@MG-Rover.com
She works on the Rover helpdesk.

Good luck.


Neil H

Colin

Do yourself a favour find another dealer
tell this guy to sod off and dont pay
for naff work.

Alan
a marshall

Colin,

Very frustrating! Is the repairing dealer the same as the one you bought the car from?

If not the same, take a marshall's advice - find another dealer. Otherwise, be PERSISTENT with them until you do obtain satisfaction even if that means another car!

From what you experienced so far, I'd bet money they will never identify the causes let alone fix them. They may even be doing that deliberately in the hope that you'll eventually go away .... Sadly, there are still too many dealers like that about.

In any event, get 2nd opinions (more the better) then go back to the original dealer.....

JMcF
John McFeely

Let me know what they find re. 2, suspension down at one side. My 99 1.8i went in for its 48k service, I told them about a knocking noise at the front when going over speed humps, they checked out the suspension height and said it needed pumping up. This was done, knocking noise stopped, however two months on the knocking noise has returned. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Linda

wow thanks all for your responses, I'm overwhelmed (as I usually am when I look for help on this forum).

In answer to your questions, and not in any particular order

Yes the car is a VVC, I'll mention the cambolt possibility when I speak to them tomorrow

The dealer is the same one I bought the car off. I can't go elsewhere as I took out a 12 month warranty with them, and there's still 5 months to go

rattle is definitely not wheelspin, as I'm now too frightened of the consequences to accelerate ;) thanks JohnP

the rattle kicks in about 3k when your foot is hard down, dies out quickly, but is unmissable whilst its happening

I'll save ms formastons email for use if I dont get satisfaction, thanks Neil

sorry for the delay in replying, but I've been too hung over to find the "on" switch:)
Colin Ashworth

Hi Colin, God I had thought I was going mad and this rattle was in my head. Exactly the same at about 2500/3000 revs it sounds like a vibration behind my right ear and is driving me mad.! I have tightened everything I can think of and put sticky felt around anything else I thought could be ratteling. The MOCC BB has had to put up with me and this hunt for the past 4 months. But still no luck. If you ever findout what it is please let me know.!

After reading the rebuild of Scarlet Fever and seeing bits of the F as it came appart. I had thought it might be somthing to do with that panel behind the drivers seat or the petrol tank.

Anyway I look forward to banshing this rattle. Thanks, Andrew.
Andrew

mmm it seems this rattle is a fairly common problem, car goes in again on the 27th, I'll keep you posted
Colin Ashworth

This thread was discussed between 13/11/2003 and 21/11/2003

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