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MG MG Y Type - Engine cuts out when hot

I read that some owners have experienced a mysterious engine fade out when hot, and then it refuses to start until the thing cools down. Perhaps my experiences could throw some light on the problem.
My other enthusiasm is a 1960 Ford 105e Anglia which I have managed to keep more or less on the road since I purchased it in 1967. When unleaded fuel was introduced I noticed the engine at times became temperamental, however since I was occasionally filling up with leaded fuel I didn't suspect fuel to be the problem. However when the leaded fuel became unavailable so the problem really became chronic, with the engine frequently cutting out when hot. I went through everything, electrics, timing, etc, including removal of the cylinder head, without success. Then the penny dropped, it was that the unleaded fuel was burning much hotter and so the valves were not closing correctly. I re-adjusted the valve clearances adding an extra 2 thou. and this solved the problem. The engine now runs perfectly.
The same situation occurred more recently after overhauling my T type TF, but now I spotted the trouble and increased the valve clearances from the recommended 12thou to 14thou.
A few weeks ago the Anglia again started cutting out when hot, but this was quickly traced to a faulty rotor arm in the distributor.
I hope this may be of help.
Bryan

You may have something here Bryan.

Do you use an additive to the unleaded fuel to protect the valves & seats ?

I had thought the problem was vapourisation of the "modern" fuel brews, but how did you settle on a 2 thou adjustment ?.

Veeery interesting.
Tony Slattery

OK, interesting indeed. I figured out that my camshaft was a 12thou-one and adjusted accordingly. It has been running irregular sometimes since. I'll try opening the gap this weekend.
Willem van der Veer

The valve clearance of 2thou is only a hit and miss value, but it worked on my engines. As you gradually increase the setting so the problem will improve, and eventually disappear when correct.
Most certainly vaporisation is a problem wih the pump and fuel line exposed as it is to the full heat of the manifold, in my opinion it really could benefit from some kind of heat shield or to be re-positioned. I noticed on someone's car that the fuel line was routed behind the battery box, whether this helped I cannot say since my pump is now positioned on the other [cool] side of the engine and so the fuel line is always primed.
Bryan

Another get you home tip regarding vapourising fuel in the pump is to gull wing the bonnet, that is to wedge open the lower panel and [with suitable padding] rest it on the wing, its not elegant but it got me over a mountain pass once. Also when towing the caravan in Switzerland I removed the bonnet side panel by extracting the piano hinge pin. As I say moving the pump to te other side of the engine cleared the problem. I always prefer to arrive than travel hopefully.
Bryan

We had a similar problem with our Y-type (remembering that we have some extremely hot weather from time to time!) and my (part-owner) daughter encased the flexible fuel hose in the engine compartment with the sponge-type insulation used in household hot water pipes. Not very elegant but this overcame the vapourising problem!
Barry Bahnisch

Fit a new condenser in the distributor. Once heated up when old they can earth internally. They should be renewed every 10,000 miles. Beware items made in China that only last a few weeks.

NC.
Neil Cairns

Neil,

I sincerely hope your comment about items made in China does not apply to the new TFs!

Murray
MG

Thought they were being made in Longbridge aren't they? Who is doing the electricals?

P
Paul Barrow

Assembled in Longbridge from parts made in China. Stats seen so far say 60%, 70% or even 80% Chinese sourced parts depending on whether one is talking by volume or value.

No idea on where the electricals are from.

Murray
MG

As an alternative to Chinese condensers I fitted a Boyer Brandson Inductive discharge unit At cost of around £25 it was worth it, [there may be other makes available]. It literally can be fitted in minutes in your best clothes. I have fitted them to both the 105e Anglia and TF, the Anglia fitted with a 1500cc lump incidently is now returning 40mpg which is about the same as my wifes 2 year old Ka [thats progress] I must say that they are both fitted with a version of Kent engine although 40 years apart.
Bryan

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2008 and 30/09/2008

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