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MG MGF Technical - Rattling Lifters

Hi there.

Since 2004 I've owned (and regularly had serviced - before anyone asks) a 2000 MGF. I've loved it to pieces!!

Just recently (in the last month) it has developed a horrid rattle in the lifters, and my mechanic has said that 1. they are shot, 2. it'll take two days of labour to replace them.

The car has done around 67000 km.

Point 1. seems bizarre and Point 2. seems over the top.

Any thoughts on other reasons it might be rattling so horibly, and any thoughts on (if he IS correct that they are shot on how long they should take to swap out).

Much thanks for your time

Cheers from New Zealand
Jo
J G Pitts

If the lifters have suffered major oil deprivation, yes they'll need replacing, and that's a complex job. 14hrs sounds a bit excessive though, if your mechanic isn't a specialist, it might be worth getting a quote from one - someone experienced in rebuilding will do the job much quicker than someone doing it possibly for the first time.

It may make no difference ultimately, but noisy lifters can sometimes be solved by using an oil flush - if the oilways are not letting enough oil through for the hydraulic chambers to fill completely, it may just be from a build-up of crap which a flush out & fresh oil might cure.

The K series engine is quite fussy about its oil grade, so worth checking that the last change was with the correct oil. In many cases where a different grade is used, e.g. fully synthetic, in the belief that it'll be 'better' it actually causes problems, as the inlet holes on the lifters & oilways are designed for a very specific viscosity oil, and going thinner or thicker can prevent them from filling correctly.
bandit

Bandit,
thanks for the reply.

Several people have recommended doing a flush first, so that what I'll try.

What is the 'right' grade of oil to use (so I can tell the mechanic what to use)

Cheers
Jo
J G Pitts

I may take off the cylinder head in the winter, for an overhaul. I've been bitten with the bug of getting the car as perfect as possible you see!

It's a VVC with over 100k miles and I've got a noticeable rattle when she's hot, on idle. Usual slight rattle on cold whilst the oil gets into the lifters, then fairly quiet soon after. I'm not using much oil (1/4 litre per 1000 miles if I thrash it). I was losing some from the rocker cover gasket over the spark plugs (burnt oil smell), but have fixed that. I suspect rattle os either the VVC mechs or one or more valve lifters or valve guides or all three. Dr Dave has had a listen - he says it's no more noisy than any other high miler VVC - not to worry - but I do!

I see special tools are required to DIY a head overhaul. Any idea where these can be bought/hired/borrowed?

Jeff
J Lennon

1/4 litre oil per 1000 miles? That's a lot!
T Jenner

You're right - .25litre/thousand sounds a lot but this includes the rocker cover gasket leak, so "usage" is probably less. I expect a high miler to use more when thrashed - which is often <mg grin>.

Currently the engine has 10/40 Millers semi synthetic (before changing I put in a flushing additive to the old oil). During 4,000 miles on Millers I've kept it topped up to full on the dipstick from a litre bottle of Castrol Magnatec (there's a bit left). I've heard it's good with noisy followers and think I'll use it to change the oil again at the end of October.

If I still get the same noise on Magnatec I'll be whipping off the head for an overhaul during the winter - as by then we'll have stopped doing weekend touring open topped. Yeh I know, whimps!

Jeff
J Lennon

Jo, the correct spec oil is 10W/40, brand is immaterial as largely it all comes from the same hole in the ground however Castrol GTX Magnatec is a popular choice.
bandit

This thread was discussed between 24/09/2009 and 25/09/2009

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