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MG MGF Technical - DIY 60k Service

Hi. Am doing a service and cambelt change on my 1998 VVC tomorrow weather permitting. I have always dont maintenance on my own cars including doing an Mi16 conversion on my beloved 205 lol so am quite handy with a set of spanners!! Since i have no haynes to refer to has anyone got any tips or anything for me to watch out for. Its the 60,000 mile service and belt change so would you recommend replacing the tensioner at the same time ( i know ive seen the horror gallery thats what got me worrying ). Am planning some major engine work in a few months when we will be up to around 70k so dont want to change the tensioner if i dont have to
Thanks

Em
Emma

I think it should be safe to leave the tensioner untill you do the engine work at 70K also look at the water pump then BUT the cam belts can't wait.
What plans for the engine at 70k.
Andrew Regens

If your replacing the belt you might as well do the tensioner at the same time, it a matter of one big bolt and one small one. Access is limited but youwill find that out when you start to remove the pulley cover. You will need a long braker bar to undo the centre hex bolt of the tensioner. Probably the more difficult thing is to undo the engine mount to replace the cam belt. This will be done up REALLY tight.

Cam belt replacement (if you know what you're doing) is not rocket science but on the MGF the access is so limited it will try your patience considerably. Resetting the tensioner is the fun part. If a manual one, your best bet is to mark the position of the adjustment arm and use that as a reference point. A LONG screwdriver will be useful to help retension the belt through the wheel arch.

Tools needed.

Cam locking tool - Draper
8mm cranked ring spanner
8mm (I think) Hex bolt tool 1/2"
400mm breaker bar
12" screwdriver
8mm small socket and ratchet arm
And if doing it properly a crank locking tool MGR
Workshop manual for the MGF (can be found on ebay in CD form for a few quid)

HTH

Tim
Tim

Emma, do you have access to the K-series workshop manual?
Rob Bell

no i dont have a workshop manual...... :-(. Car maintenance is put off till tomorrow as its way too cold out there lol. Ok im a wimp. Engine plans......Not sure yet but although im very happy with my F its not quite as quick as i hoped. I will have around 800 quid to spend on mechanics and also want to update the interior as mine is one of the first and i like the chrome " Bits " on the later models.

Oh and btw hello.....i just started asking questions before i said hello to everyone... How rude !!!! :-)

Em
emma nicholson

emma

you have mail. if respond quickly enough, I may be able help you out.
JohnP

Arghhhh no mail yet.....just love hotmail NOT!!!

To make sure you have the right address its emma_152@msn.com

Thanks
Em
Emma

Welcome aboard Emma!

This link could be useful to you :o)
http://mgfcup.free.fr/Rave_CDROM/
Rob Bell

Good link Rob. Just under 30Mb zip in less than 5 mins with adsl. Even quicker than the postal system.
JohnP

A French MG enthusiast had a number of other useful links including ones for the TF workshop manual - but sadly these have since expired... :o(

BTW it appears that even an asthmatic postal pigeon with a broken wing is faster than our postal system John! ;o)
Rob Bell

I had a result via post last week, mailed a cd to somebody on way home from work and got email confirming receipt next afternoon.

My wife bought me the TF disk from B&G a few weeks ago as a pressie.
JohnP

Jeez, I though I was useful in this area!
You are brave Emma!

I just got a man to do it!

getting the bottom bolt off can be a total bitch I am told and this is supposed to come off to do the job. I suffered a large dose of CBF so off it went to be done. easy and not too much either!

;¬)

Neil

Just downloaded and tried the French RAVE link. The MultiUser Security Handler appears to be 'expiré'.
JohnP

Yep I have same problem.
Ted Newman

The original RAVE covered many MGR models. It looks as though who ever tried to create a RAVR-lite version for MGF only has either, missed a file or 2 out, or has started from a wrong version.
JohnP

TimJ has a file that sorts out the obsolescence problem - I think that this is the problem here?
Rob Bell

almost certainly Rob
JohnP

Thanks JohnP..........The CD arrived in the post today. :-) Hows that for Royal mail Service lol!!

Emma

This thread was discussed between 03/12/2004 and 04/12/2004

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