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MG MGF Technical - over heat? / burning smell

As a mechanical idiot, I hope someone can help and give me some advice. It would be most appreciated.

Just had a service on my Mgf VVC. The idling revs were over running slightly and I was informed I would need a new throttle head. This hasnt been fixed yet, but the rest was done. Whilst doing a very short trip recently, I noticed an acrid smell. None of the meters showed excessive temperature. So thinking it was the car in front parked up at home and noticed it coming from my engine bay. Didnt smell oily, more like an electrical plastic burn smell. The boot body shell felt a bit hotter than it should for such a small trip approx 1mile.

Any ideas what it is?.. I have to take it in for the repair this week and am having doubts about starting it up again in case something bad happens.. or is it just some spilled oil burning off from the service?

Also MoT reported approx 70% wear on break discs, should these be replaced. The car is still within 12 month warranty so Id like to get what nedds doing done now.

many thanks
salmonella

If the service really had only just been done - i.e. you were driving home from the garage - then it could be spilt coolant (the antifreeze can smell a bit 'peppery') or spilt oil (but oil had a distinctive smell). Could be an electrical plastic cable touching the engine. Check all fluid levels, if Ok mention the smell to the garage when you take it in.

Brake pads and disks are consumables and almost never covered by warranty. 70% worn means there is still 30% to go and it passed the MOT (?presumably?) so warranty is very unlikely to pay for replacements.
JohnP

Salmonella,

Take care!

My car developned the same symptoms, and then had an HGF.

There was a slight leak in a heater pipe inside the centre console, which ultimately reduced coolant level to a dangerous level.

Apart from the acrid smell, no other indications until the engine started to splutter and the temp gauge went to RED.

Sam
Sam Murray

I'd echo John and Sam - keep a VERY close eye on all fluid levels, especially the coolant in the expansion tank.

Both the brake discs and the throttle body (assume that's what throttle head is?) come into the category of 'much much better aftermarket items can be bought cheaper than MGR standard replacements' and can both be fitted at home reasonably easily. I'd heartily recommend EBC discs, and (haven't done this yet as I'm waiting for my old one to wear out/some other suitable excuse) a 52mm throttle body. Only thing is, this may affect the warranty; you'd have to make a call based on how much is left to run compared to spending moe money on MGR stock kit.

Anyway, take a look at http://mg-rover.org/howdoi/showart.php?artID=281 and http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/maintenance/brakes/brake_disc.htm

Jamie
Jamie

Gah. Why doesn't the first link work? And why has my computer decided that I'm not a member?
Jamie

Worth mentioning this to the dealer and get their advice too. If they did not bleed the coolant system correctly you may be getting lots of localised overheating and thus a smell. That will lead to HGF in a very short period of time.
If you mention it to them now, then you stand more chance of getting them to fix any problems if/when they happen.

Listen for bubbling of coolant - especially when you turn the heater on and off - and as everyone else has said, watch fluid levels very very carefully.

Having said that, they could have just left a screwdriver in the engine who's plastic handle is burning away. :-)

Good luck.

P.
Paul Nothard

>>> Also MoT reported approx 70% wear on break discs, should these be replaced. <<<
Is there any chance that they did change brake pads during the last service. New pads could be a bit smelly.
Erik

Salmonella

Recognising chemicals by their smell is discouraged these days on safety grounds, but it helps to track down the source of car trouble if you can recognise the smells of common plastics when they overheat.

Clutch and brakes smell a bit like burned printed circuit board, cable insulation will smell the same as house wiring, tyres and hoses smell rubbery, and most general parts smell a bit like burned carrier bag, (or even traffic cone caught on the exhaust pipe!).

No need to take in a lungful of fumes, usually a quick smell at the smoke after blowing out any flame will be enough.

Chris
Christopher Marshall

This thread was discussed between 12/12/2004 and 13/12/2004

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