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MG MGF Technical - Boo Hoo - Engine Blew Up today...:(

The RAC man just left... Well it was a nice day so I went out for a run in the countryside, it was quite quiet on the A40 so thought that I would stretch her legs after a roundabout¡K3rd gear 90ish changed to 4th touched 100 then Bbbbbbbburb ¡V engine died! Slowed down and pulled over in a safe spot¡K

Checked rear view mirror however there were no signs of smoke¡KTemperature gauge was bang in the middle¡K Checked the dipstick for signs of a HGF however the oil was clean looking¡K then I tried to restart however engine just went bang, bang rather than starting up, and a lot of smoke started to come from the exhausts, not vapour like HGF but a LOT of smoke like an engine fire! The smoke was still coming out 3-4 mins later so I started to think that my pride and joy was about to burn before my eyes so I started looking for what could be quickly salvaged!

Thankfully, the fire went out¡Kƒº and after a 20min wait on the phone before I could speak with anyone at the RAC (You know the stuff a constant ¡§Your call is extremely important to us please wait¡¨) they told me they could come in 2hrs! Well eventually they arrived and brought the car home.

Well what should I do now? rather than sit and cry I thought that I could look at some of the positive things that could be done with the engine ¡V assuming it is salvageable I may be able to get forged pistons, head ported, noisy valves fixed, perhaps a TT supercharger, etc¡K

However the issues are who could do the job that is experienced, reliable and at reasonable cost. I have always used MG dealers and although they guarantee their work for 1yr, their labour prices may be slightly too much this time around and I don¡¦t want to use standard parts.

I understand that a few of you have had similar issues do you know anyone who could pick the car up from the Bucks area?

Cheers Davy
Davy

Oops!

Since you mention "Bucks" and the A40, its probably not too far away from Stokenchurch (M40 J5, west of High Wycombe). You could try Meltune on 01494 485065. He a) Looks after our cars, and b) did what (still seems to be!) a successful HG replacement on Neil of Bucks. He has his own trailor.

Don't know how busy he is at the momement - it being the racing season - he normally looks after race cars.


Neil.
Neil

Jeepers, bad news Davy. Any idea as to what the problem was?

You didn't mention whether you had a VVC or not, but if it was, then the VVC cam bolt could be a potential culprit (failure would lead to the valves striking the cylinders - and this usually means, effectively, a new engine.

I hope that this was not the problem, and let us know how you get on.

Regarding recommendations for engine work, how far are you willing to travel?
Rob Bell

The other good place not *too* far away would be Brown and Gammons in Baldock. Not wishing to write off your engine, but they're the sort of place that could track down a second hand K-series, add a few extras for you and even quote you their hourly labour rate at the start!

David Bainbridge

Cheers Guys,

Thanks for the advice!

My baby is being sent up to B&G for assessment tomorrow. A new reconditioned VVC engine costs £1.45K +VAT & fitting however Labour is better £38/Hr) can only be done if mine is salvagable.

I hope that luck is on my side for once!

Does anyone know how long it takes if

Cheers Davey
Davey

If you end up needing a new engine, Midland MGF (MGF Breakers) might be able to supply a second hand one.

Leigh
Leigh

Please please please take my advise repairing an engine that has experienced such internal stresses is a waste of time.
I spent a fortune repairing mine it was never the same. If you repair the top end, the bottom end may well be ruined. A mechanic will charge £40 per hour just removing the cylinder head and getting it reskimmed and say fitting new tappets and gaskets will cost £400+. Repairing the bottom end will add £600 added to the removal costs of the engine - looking at £1000+
If you phone around and source a secondhand engine and get this reconditioned, outside of the car, it will be far cheaper. This assumes the secondhand engine needs work, which is the worst case scenario.
If you phone around, Exchange and Mart, you will find a secondhand VVC engine out of a front end damaged F for at most £600. I bought by MPI 1.8 for £250.

Ian
Ian

Try midland. Their ad in this months mgoc mag mentioned a VVC engine (though this may be a recurring ad).

Address found elsewhere under the 'man from wales' thread if it's still around.

HTH,

Leigh.
Leigh

I think I'd want to know what happened to the donor car of a replacement engine!

If it's been rolled, then the engine probably ran without oil (until it stopped) - which is definately NOT a good thing. Likewise, being stopped from speed suddenly (eg by a crash) can cause the con-rods to be overstressed....

Neil
Neil

If it's been rolled, then the engine probably ran without oil (until it stopped) - why ?

being stopped from speed suddenly (eg by a crash) can cause the con-rods to be overstressed.... - engine in rear?

There is nothing wrong with secondhand engines. I work within the motor trade and I regularly buy a variety of second hand parts for many different vehicles.

May I ask what your experience of car parts is, or is it pure speculation.

Ian

I think the point being made is that the engine you've got is more of a known quantity than one secondhand from the trade, which *might* have suffered all sorts of unknown indignities and usually has no history or provenance.
David

I just got word back from B&G - They haven't had the head off yet however could see water coming out from the side at Cy 1 so they expect that perhaps a liner has gone!

The engine may be salvageable requiring new Piston, Liners and Head however like you say - will it be reliable afterwards? B&G do offer a 12MTH warranty on their work though I guess they can only warranty their own parts as above, so if the engine goes again I'm sure it would have been some other part....Bla Bla :(

I have also sourced a complete engine from a salvage company out of an Elise VVC having allegedly done 18832 miles. In the meantime, I have requested the year and engine number. I suppose it’s a gamble with the engine quite like or worse than buying a second hand car. Phew I could do without this :(

Cheers Davey
Davey

Davey, if you scan through the back of exchange and mart, you will find many suitable engines. There will be a distinct variety of prices, from £1000 down to £250.
Just try and play one against the other, the most expensive is not always the best. Dont expect any service histories for the cars. These are always sent off to the insurance companies for the claim.
But lets be honest, if the Elise is 3 years old its hardly likely to have done 60k. Even if it has, its better than a blown one!
Try Aylesbury Auto Salvage, they stock many engines at good prices.

Ian
Ian

For info, when rolled a cut out switch will shut down the engine, this is situated at the rear n/s inner wing area.
Mike.
mike

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2002 and 10/07/2002

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