MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Heater Control Valve

Hi,

I have a 2001 MGF and due to the imported nature of the car it is now out of warranty (Only 1 year for imports). Despite wrangling with the dealer (including a letter) I am still in the position of having the following problems with the car.

Rasping/scraping noise emanating from the nearside of the engine bay that the dealer has identified as being the release bearing.

Heater blows only hot air, which the dealer identified as being a problem with the Heater Control Valve

Various Rattles from the cabin the most notable coming from the nearside near the passenger seat, also noted by you.

Im an no mechanic and so would not attempt the release bearing problem which seems to require a clutch replacement according to the dealer (does anyone know the cost of this?)

How difficult is is to replace the Heater control valve?

The rattles I guess are just a case of trying an seeing.. The most annoying is coming from the passenger side somewhere and seems to disapear if someone is in the seat does anyone know of common rattle sources that might cause this?

My MGF (as a number of others have found) seems to be a bit of a love/hate relationship.. I do love driving her but the problems are a right pain in the ar*e

Any help on the above problems from any of you mgf gurus is as always greatley appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Chris
Chris

Has the dealer actually stated the heater valve has failed, or is he guessing from your description. If the latter it could be simply the cam connecting the heater rotary knob has become detatched from the heater valve. This could create the same symptoms. This is very easy to fix.

I wrote a little checker for this some time ago and think it is now on the MGF FAQ. If not I can send you the description and photos. It requires 2 screws to be undone and a simple visible check to confirm this.
David Mills

Hi David,

Thanks for the advice.

What you are suggesting sounds likely.. The heater knob always used to be stiff but now it is easier to turn.. as you suggest like it has come off of something..

If you could send me a link or something to the check list and fix that would be great..

Thanks again

Chris


Chris

P.s. I don't think the dealer has really checked as the problem was fixed before by the them in warranty and it was just an adjustment.. no parts were used as far as i know..

Chris
Chris

Chris you have email
David Mills

> Rasping/scraping noise emanating from the nearside of the engine bay that the dealer has identified as being the release bearing.

The famous Honda release bearing. Take it serious and don't wait to long for final analysis and probable replacement. Expensive repair, though.

> Various Rattles from the cabin the most notable coming from the nearside near the passenger seat, also noted by you.

Check seat rails for lack of grease.
Or, which I think will be the reason:
Check the clearance between T-Bar and door panel. The two outer rivets of the T-Bar must be right in place.

>How difficult is is to replace the Heater control valve?

Dunno what David sent. I think the connection wire between valve and knob gear assy could have come off, or a fixture ring/clamp could have gone. Easy DIY check. I think Davids document may explain details.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter K.

Just a thought. With reference to your rasping sound. I had the same and it was the tyre catching on the plastic wheel arch (when on full lock, bottom rear of the liner). The dealer replaced the plastic liners on mine but said that the plastic an be warmed up wit ha hot air paint stripper and bent to cure it.

Re heater control, you can see the valve if you remove the paned in the footwell, with the interior light on it, 2 screws and you will see the valve/pipes (Drivers side, assuming RHD)

regards
keith

Hi

Thanks everyone for the advice, Ill check the T-Bar clearance Dieter thanks for that, it is a rather annoying sound :-)) and im going to have a go at the heater at the weekend.

Cheers,

Chris
Chris

Re rattle from passenger seat. Check that the seat belt buckle is not banging on the side panel, mine does that when nobody is using the seat belt.

regards
keith

This thread was discussed between 02/01/2003 and 07/01/2003

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now