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MG MGF Technical - Engine bay insulation pad

I'd welcome some advice on an F problem.

98 1.8Mpi. In the offside rear wheel arch, on the right as you look at it, is a felt pad about a foot across that divides the wheel arch from the engine bay. This came adrift at the top, wrapped itself around the disk and caliper and mangled it beyond repair. Fortunately, the remainder came away fairly easily but now the engine bay - mainly the alternator and its belt - is exposed.

Is this felt pad hard to replace? I cannot see the fixing at the top, due to it being shredded, but two press studs appear to hold it in place at the bottom. I only ask as the dealer wants 60 quid to put it on which suggests it might be harder than it looks. Not that a dealer would try and stitch me up, of course.

Thanks in advance,
Trevor
Trevor Hobden

Stich up!

There are two studs which IIRC flare when filled with plastic screws, also there is a screw which goes rusty is is a nightmare to shift, but apart from that the panel tucks in, and it is _not_ an hour job for a professional mechanic!
Will Munns

Will,

Thanks for the prompt reply. The archive talks of a steel screw that corrodes into the aluminium engine block but I thought that applied to the fibreboard cover. Is it used to hold the felt as well ? Are the plastic studs reusable ? The two bottom studs are still attached.
Trevor Hobden

Fibreboard cover? its a mixture of foam and MDF from what I can tell, the screw doesn't go into the engine block, but it's the only screw down there (brain hasn't quite woken up yet - no doubt SF will be along with his picture gallery later!)

The cover slots over at least one of the studs, but you have to manhandle it into position (it can flex quite a lot)
Will Munns

The piece is probably 1/4" thick and quite rigid on the bit that tucks under. In the centre where it's been ripped open it looks like a felt pad with a plastic sheet core. I'm beginning to wonder whether there isn't a further outer rigid sheet that's disappeared altogether...
Trevor Hobden

Nope, this sound like the one
Will Munns

This happened to my 98 MPi also, I reattached it with tie wraps, cost next to nothing took less than 5 minutes and it is still on 2 years later.
Chris Catchpole

The fibre board wheel arch trim is pretty easy to replace - although there is a screw that retains it in place that is made of mild steel and goes into the aluminium engine 'chassis' (for want of a better term!). But this can be drilled out with little trouble.

Sounds as though your fibreboard cover has been shredded - might be possible to get another cheaply from a breaker like the MGF Centre... :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks guys. I tried the MGF Centre but as it's only £20+vat from the dealer so the postage costs wouldn't make it worthwhile.
Trevor Hobden

That's a good price! BTW you could also fit the rigid PVC plastic ones used on the TF and late model MGFs...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed on 27/02/2004

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