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MG MGF Technical - High Pitched Squeal

appeared during a (ahem) vigourous run yesterday, sounds like the water pump is on its way out, or could there be another reason?

Is it a specialist job on the F? or can any old backstreet do it?

thanks in advance folks
C Ashworth

It sounds like a water pump or drive belt, but could be something different.
As for the repair, My VVC is 4 years old and is serviced and maintained by an independant garage. The owner takes care of my car and has always gives me itemised billing. I have saved a fortune over using MGR dealers who are in my opinion happier working on mainstream saloons than mid engined cars.
If the pump has failed, good time to get new coolant not forgetting proper bleeding of the system after fitment.

Good luck in your quest.

Tony
Tony H

C,

Depends when the squeal occurs.

Is it always there at any revs/speed/throttle opening?

Does it vary with revs/speed/throttle opening?

Some MGFs have developed squeals which come in at revs above 4000rpm and with a wide throttle opening. These can be traced to leaks in the exhaust system.

More info please.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Bruce

Squeal is new, so I havent really narrowed down when and where yet.

Had a water pump gp on an escort years ago, and it does sound just like that did before it died
C Ashworth

Not the alternator belt then? This is the most common source of a squeal.

SF
Scarlet Fever

Would be interested to know if there's a particular point on the Rev range where the squeal occurrs, as I have something similar on my 'F'. Let me know what it is if you find the cause please, as it's doing my head in!

Would suggest you check Drivebelt (alternator) tension first. Also, how old is your 'F' as it could be the cam-belt tensioner (which you DON't want to go).
Leigh

Be aware that if the water pump siezes than it will kill the engine instantly, as it is on the cam belt.

Sounds like an alternator belt, if it is then I would expect it to chirp when you first start the car, and to come on if you switch on all the lights (including fogs), if the electrical load does not effect it then I would be looking at the water pump.
Will Munns

Thanks for the tips folks, for what its worth, I drove about 25 miles today without a twitch, at one stage I had CD player, wipers, fan speed 2 and sidelights on, would that be enough to cause a reaction if it was the alternator belt?

Will, when you say chirp, is that sort of cambridge speak for squeal? cos It dont do that

Cars 5 years old Leigh, 39k on the clock. I've only had it for 2 months, and its under warranty for a further 10 so if the Cam Belt does go then its not the end of the world, might even get me a new engine..........
C Ashworth

Hmmm. Same age and similar mileage to mine. Has the full 5 year service been done?
Leigh

My squeal occurs above 4000rpm and is a constant pitch. It sounds loadest with hard accelleration and if you back the throttle off it will become less shrill even though the revs are increasing. It makes me think it is a leaking exhaust system because the pitch is constant like a vibrating gasket with exhaust flowing past it. Like a reed in a wind instrument. Can't find any leaks at the moment though and I have been under the car and in the engine compartment looking from the top. Had the noise for nearly two years now with no ill effect.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Leigh, 5 yr service not done, think I might ask the dealer why they didnt do it,as they serviced it before I collected it. As MGR main dealer, they should follow their own guidelines ??

Bruce, dont think mines the same as yours, in fact mine appears to have gone away for now......watch this space:)
C Ashworth

I had a squeal on my 97 F, which scared the crap out of me when it first happened. It turned out to be the Catalytic converter. Really loud annoying squeal, didn't necessarily get worse with revs, and resulted in a loss of power occasionally.

When I had the bugger burnt off - it was the only way with the rusted bolts - a lot of bits of ceramic fell out of the cat, hey presto, problem solved, bypass pipe on.

Jules
Jules

>Will, when you say chirp, is that sort of cambridge speak for squeal? cos It dont do that

It's speak for a short squeal. Caused (in this case) by the load on the alternator belt being very high just after starting. Sounds like it not that though.

>Cars 5 years old Leigh, 39k on the clock. I've only had
>it for 2 months, and its under warranty for a further
>10 so if the Cam Belt does go then its not the end of
>the world,

EEKK most warrentys are void if the service schedule has not been kept up, and that means 5 year service at 5 years.
Will Munns

mmm bought the warranty with the car, garage did the service, and they're a main dealer. Car is a 98R bought March 22 this year, therefore service should have been done methinks, reckon I'll give em a call

thanks all
C Ashworth

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2003 and 11/06/2003

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