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MG MGF Technical - MY MGF WOULDN'T START

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT 1998 mgf 1.8i. Well i bought it last week, it has been running fine. As im sure you are aware it rained last night. This morning i got in my car and it wouldn't start.

There is petrol in the car and the battery seems to be fine. It seems to make all the right noises the battery light comes on as it should but the final "vroom" noise doesnt happen the battery just keeps going over and over trying to start it.

I think the start motor is fine, putting my foot on the accelerator makes no difference, you cant hear it or see it make any difference.

Any advice would be greatfully recieved.
ROSS

You need new leads/rotor arm/cap, for now open boot, pull grill and stick a hairdryer pointing at the distributer for 10 mins, then manover it to point at the coil which is hidden below the plastic inlet manifold (follow the centre wire from the distributor cap)
Will Munns

As Will states, you have water in the electrics, a common occurence when leads etc. get older, if you cann't replace them then a squirt with WD40 or Dampstart around the plug leads, distributer, coils etc. may help. Some people with this problem cover the engine grill when leaving the car to stop the water getting in.
HTH

Mike , M2 VJN
Mike (London Office)

>Dampstart

be careful, Holts do dampstart and wetstart, one is WD40 by another name (WD=Water Dispersent), and the other is a rubberized seal - Use the wrong one and you seal in the moisture!
Will Munns

Thanks for your advice.

Is it then just a case of the enigne being damp i shouldn't worry about the problem being more serious?

Ross
Ross

Worry all you like ;-).

Your symptoms are classic and many times over in the archive - If you brought it from a garage take it back and get them to do the work under warrenty, if you brought private then buy the bits and DIY - a really simple if a little time consuming job.
Will Munns

Ross

Welwcome to MGF ownership. You may find the following couple of links helpfull in the first instance (loads more as and when ... )

http://www.apttony.co.uk/

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/

and for spark plug/leads replacement try

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/MGF_diy.htm#Maintenance


JohnP Welwyn Garden City
JohnP

This thread was discussed on 01/06/2004

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