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MG MGF Technical - So...its meant to leak then?

So, I got some sympathy at the end of my last thread, but no real indication of whether it is usual for the TF hood to leak at the join just where the door, body and hood meet (at the elbow of the hood hinge). I have a very large gap which you can see daylight through on the passenger side, and small puddles forming when it rains hard...

MG dealer says this is to be expected, but I dont think its good enough really, when you spend 13 grand on a car.

Great to drive, and looks fantastic, but not much cop if its gonna need bailing out everytime it rains.

Just when I was looking forward to being able to hold my head up and say that I bought a British sports car and its great...

should I have saved longer for something german?

(only kidding)
Dave

Hmmm. IIRC, my 'F' also has a gap in this location that daylight can be seen through, but does not leak (well,leaks a wee bit). How badly is it leaking? The joint doesn't need to be tight, just angled correctly so that water drips past the gap and on to the window, not round the hood into the gap, if you understand what I mean. Travel of the windows beyond the stops can be adjusted if I remember and also the 'tightness' of the hood, both of these things might help you.

Leigh
Leigh

My 97 F has the same gap in the same place. True it's not water tight but having said that rain water or road spray never seem to come in through it, just water directed AT the car when washing it.
The hood seems to be set up with just the right overlap that any water running off the hood drips on to the rear wing/door panel and not in to the car.
Sorry if this isn't a complete fix but might be worth mentioning to your dealer? :-/
Bob

To be honest Dave I think that they are all like that. My MY200 F is but it doesn't leak. Why not have a look at other TFs to see if they are the same.

By the way you missed yourself today (you too Leigh) about 200 miles of brilliant top down motoring.
David Clelland

OK, thanks for the info, guess we shall have to see how it goes on the swimming pool front,..
Spent the day painting the bathroom instead, looks great and we still managed a spin down the Clyde valley so all wasnt lost.
Maybe next time.....
Dave

This is an interesting one ... I changed my hood to a MKII version and this gap appeared. There was no gap at all with the MKI hood ...

Gaz
('96 VVC)
Gaz R

Hi!

I didn't watch my hood carefuly, but I can't remember any gap such this (although I usually watch straight ahead, not back to the passenger side!)

I'll watch this week, and I'll tell you something.
Spinder00

Dave,

I was in Morrisons of Stirling this morning. Looked at 4 or 5 TFs and the hoods on the driver's side were all tight with the bodies and had no gaps, but on the passenger's side they all had a slight gap. I also looked at my own car and strange but mine was the same. as I said further up the page I don't have a leak at this location. However, I do have a tiny drip (too small to bother with) at the mirror cheater. Hope this helps.
David Clelland

Thanks for that,
I spoke with MG-Rover customer services this morning, and they say that there should be no water ingress, and our dealer should get in touch with them to help solve the problem.
Its not clear to me what the difference is between the driver and passenger side that causes this gap, however, I have noticed moisture creeping/soaking into the inside hem of the hood on both sides at this location, although we only get a puddle on the passenger side, and this is when the car stands in heavy rain, rather than when driving. Maybe I just need to build a garage...
Dave

Interesting one....... I have just changed from a Mk1 hood to a Mk2.
On the Mk1 hood I had gaps at both sides that you could pass a small family through. Changed to the Mk2 and have no gaps at all.
I dont think there is much that can be done in relation to adjustments as this section of the hood is kept in place by the 4 securing bolts behind the T bar. There is little or no room for movement in this fixing.
In my opinion I think the difference in gap as down to the actual tension, cut and overall fit of the cloth around the frame.

Might be an idea asking the dealer to try another hood on your car and see if the gaps change. Im not a betting man but I would put money on that with a different hood in place the gaps either change or disappear.
D Jamieson

...............Meant to add that I know there is a diffeence in the Mk1 and Mk2 hood , and that Dave has a brand spanking hood. My point is that in my opinion no 2 hoods fit the same regardles of Mk or age.

I should read before I press submit.
D Jamieson

Just out of interest - my paper copy Workshop Manual shows a link rod on each side of the hood frame near to the frame attachment point. This looks like an adjustable turn buckle but no other mention is made.

Could it be to adjust the height of the hood on each side? Somebody who has had an MGF longer than me will probably know why it is there.
JohnP - Herts

I had this problem.

There is an adjustable link that basically moves the lower edges out and in as you open the hood. As you close the hood it should move outwards enough so that any water drips on the outside of the seal that you can see when the hoos is open.

Mine was too far out, so causing wind noise. Yours maybe too far in, so water enters the car.

Keith

This thread was discussed between 01/06/2003 and 06/06/2003

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