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MG MGF Technical - Power loss - poor tick over

Just bought my 2000 "x" plate 1.8i.

On tick-over it's fine usually. Then sometimes it'll stutter and rev to 1100rpm and then slowly splutter to a stall.

The other problem is occassionally in any gear as you push the accellerator it'll get to 2000rpm and then further pressing down will cause the engine to labour, giving the car a few shakes. Drop the clutch, rev the engine and it's fine again. It never does this after a good run.

The engine EMS light came on on day 4 and i've booked it into the dealer for a FREE service but not sure if that's related. They looked on the Diagnostic machine, and cleared ALL of the codes, but could not find a fault. I drove it and the light came on again within an hour. They've looked again and feel it's the sensor itself that's at fault. The parts are on order. This makes me sure the ignition/rev splutter is unconnected. It's got the new wasted spark ignition system so no new distributer cap/rotor arm fix there! (as I found out after i'd bought the bits and removed the engine bay cover!!(grin)

It's a fine example, 34,000 miles and very good nick. What's wrong with my baby??
Anyone??
Simon Knight

Might be a "sticky throttle" problem - see here for possible causes...

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/Throttle_body/index.htm

Does any of that sound familiar?
Al

If i'm honest Al, no. But that's good to know as it removes another possibility. The revs stutter rather than stick at a high rpm. it over revs and dies, over revs and dies (only a small amount i might add - nothing scary) but with a cold engine it'll slowly drop the revs lower and lower until it stalls. It will even stall sometimes with a warm engine if the bunny-hopping gets too frantic! It's funny how one good drop of the clutch and a good hard rev seems to "blow out" the problem... Any use??

The sticky throttle DID highlight a sensor problem however, saying that this will fool the engine into thinking it's cold when it's not. Now that's getting closer to the problem i'll grant you!
Cheers for the info - anyone else got a solution?

Simon
simon Knight

Ok, to make matters worse,...
Today she started and failed to keep running unless i revved her (proverbial) balls off and whilst doing the daily checks she had a tiny amount of coolant in the exp. tank. enought to get to the garage but thats about it. But still bright breen and mayonnaise-less and the oils fine..

Any thoughts?
Simon Knight

Sounds bad :-( HGF of the water getting in to the cylinders variety, hence no oil/water mix? I hope not for your sake, but ...
Dave Livingstone

Thank god the cars got 3 months warranty! It's in the garage now and i'll be passing on your thoughts. Hmm hope she'll survive and isn't doing a George Best by "entering her final hours".. ok that was a little morbid!
Cheers for the ideas though. Let s see what Vospers MG say..
simon Knight

Inlet manifold gasket water leak?
Tony

That's a thought. Hadn't considered that.
Simon Knight

Oh thank God...
Got the little minx back today.

Apparently when the service was done the "little tinker" that put the coolant in didn't bleed the system properly, so that's why the coolant dissappeared. It's orange now, anyone know is that good stuff they use? (MG Rover dealership!)

The rev loss was failure of two sensors (not sure which) but the engine reves perfectly now and keeps 1100 rpm steady on a cold start and 850 when warm. And I feel confident about pulling away from a stop now!

All for free under the warranty I got with the car. 2 days labour would be a fair amount wouldn't it?

Cheers for all the support, glad its wasn't the dreaded unspeakable ailment!

SK
Simon Knight

My TF has orange OAT coolant as supplied OEM.

Now you can start enjoying the car - until it snows .
John Ponting

Funny you should say that. I am DEFINATELY getting new tyres tomorrow. Comming back from shopping i had encountered a bit of black ice and taken things very carefully. You can feel when the car isn't balanced correctly can't you?!

Came up to a corner and witnessed a white Renault Clio coming towards me on its roof. It hit the hedge and rolled over onto its side and back onto the roof. Then the people began spilling out of it!
Interesting hour of my life! one very bloody jacket later (the driver put her fist through the windscreen and had glass everywhere) and i got home. But those cheep tyres that the car came with HAVE to go.
I'm asking a question on a new set of tyres on a new thread... comments please..
Simon Knight

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2005 and 25/11/2005

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