MG-Cars.info

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

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 - Service Plate - I pulled it and I pushed it.....

The engine service hatch on the TF is proving difficult to remove. All retaining bolts removed but just doesn't seem to be enough clearance to get the plate out. I fear that something is going to break if I try to force it.

Does anyone have any tips on getting it out? It seems to jam between the T bar and the hood clips. Andy made it look easy at Gaydon - is the F's plate a different design to the TF?

Incidentally, the car has been serviced twice by a former MGR dealer but I'm convinced that the plate has never been removed before - how did they refill with new oil?

Any advice welcome.
R Thompson

you can fill very slowly thru the top up cap.

The trick is to remove all the bolts, then lift the front edge and wobble it forwards about an inch, then the back hinges up more freely, take care the underside of the bulkhead is quite sharp.
Will Munns

I can only speak from an F owner's perspective, but I also found removing the engine bay cover a tad tricky. There's not really a trick to it, more of a knack. I found that by sliding it back and forth you can kind of wobble it free, as Will said it hinges backwards. It's fairly tough, so you shouldn't break anything, you just need to use a bit of brute force.

Emma
Emma Jackman

the plate prob has not been removed,my local garage has serviced twice,without removeing the cover,must remember to ask how they did it........
m e johnson

The Maintenance Check List RCL 0571 07/2993 for the MG TF contains 2 separate actions for engine work to be carried out:

#13 C Service @ 4yrs/60k miles: Remove Engine Access Cover.

#14 All Services @ every 1yr/15k miles: Remove Engine Service Hatch.

#13 is to allow the following to be carried out @4/60:
#21 Replace Fuel Filter
#22 Replace Spark Plugs
#25/26 Replace Camshaft Drive Belts
#27 Replave Antifreeze by vacuum
#28 Check & Record Antifreeze content

So unless the car is at a 4yr/60k service point there is no requirement to remove the Engine Access Cover (rear parcel shelf).
John Ponting

What I do is to carefully clip the hood clips over the black trim running round the rear edge of the engine bay recess to keep them out the way, but take care not to scratch the paint (a bit of tape over the area will stop this).
You then push the cover forwards as far as possible, pushing the front edge under the T-bar if necessary
You then lift the rear edge and slide it past the hood clips.
When I refit it, I always put the 2 larger bolts for the engine bay bracing bars in first. You may need to slacken the centre bolt for the bars to allow you to move them a bit, although for most jobs I find its easier to take the braces out completely anyway, to give more room.
Put all the bolt back in a couple of turns before you start tightening them. You only need to nip them up as they just retain the cover, and its quite easy to strip the thread if you overtighten them.
Also worth noting its a lot easier to remove the cover if you have Boxer roll hoops fitted ;o)
Steve White

Will has already eloquently mentioned the technique for removing the inspection cover. It is a tad tricky on MGF - and even harder on cars fitted with the rear speaker box.

The trick is to ensure that the clips are up and out of the way, and that the cover is moved forward (towards the front of the car) as far as you can achieve, and then lift the rear of the cover and withdraw. You may find that the rubber seal is in very close contact with the clips, but the thing will come clear...

Do it once and you quickly become an expert! :o)
Rob Bell

Just a safety tip in regards to the sharp metal edge from under the t-bar that is mentioned many times.

All you need to do is to cover the edge with a length of electrical tape.

Sharp edge gone!

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

Thanks everyone. I'll try again at the weekend.
R Thompson

This thread was discussed between 18/10/2005 and 20/10/2005

MG MGF Technical index

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