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MG MGF Technical - strange very loud noise - pls help

Oh well 6 months of trouble free motoring, was bound to end at some point.

Driving to work, and suddenly get a really really loud well err whirring noise?

The sort of noise I would expect if the tyres were rubbing on the body work.

It increased in pitch and frequency as I accelerated, but was loudest on deceleration.

Anyone that has heard my car, know it isn't the quietest, but this noise is drowning everything out.

I stopped car, and check all my clearances, no signs of rubbing anywhere.

Now here's the clincher, found out now, it doesn't happen when in neutral.

Bah, why does that sound bad.

Gearbox? happens in all gears.
Clutch?

anything else?

Really can't work out what this is, and not sure if to drive it to the garage or get it picked up an towed.
Thinking the latter, but someone is going to have to drive it to "diagnose" the problem.

As always any help much appreciated.


paul weatherill

It could be the thrust bearings on the clutch have collpased, the thrust bearing disconnects the cluch arm and the clutch plate, but sits around the driveshaft.
For this I would expect it to be worse when cluch is depressed, you might even be able to feel it thru the pedal.

Good points, parts are only about £15
Bad points, replacement means spliting the engine and gearbox, which I think is an engine out job!
Will Munns

Thanks Will,

The thrust bearings have collapsed on me before, but that generated more of a grinding noise.
It was my first thought, but it doesn't happen when disengaging the clutch, and is totally absent when clutch is depressed or in neutral.

This is definately a high pitch, whirring, squealing kind of noise.

But it is very loud, and have a lot of depth to it, as is not likely to be from a belt.

Called breakdown recovery now, any further ideas?

will keep you all updated.
paul weatherill

Yikes - sounds worrying Paul :o(

We're not talking about a 'water jet against metal panel' type noise are we?
Rob Bell

<<We're not talking about a 'water jet against metal panel' type noise are we?>>

No, not at all Rob.

Diagnosis so far...

1. Its something internal to the gearbox.

2. Probably the gear bearings, apparently a common fault on this gear box???

Going to take car to another garage, as I don't want ot pay for MG Rover prices.

Wait and see what they have to say.

paul weatherill

Based on my recent experience Paul, drop the MGF Centre a line. If they still have a 'box (assuming you need one - and unfortunately, they shipped a whole load out to Germany before the new year), I'm sure you'll not be disappointed.

Hope this doesn't work out too expensive! :o(
Rob Bell

tried to drive to other garage, unfortunately transmission failed going along the motorway.

no power at all. no burning clutch smell either, so hopefully the clutch is ok.

but initial signs are gearbox has been trashed :-/

oh well had some money said up for new seats, guess they are going to have to wait.

Any Dark-side considerations while the car is stripped down?

Uprated clutch perhaps?

paul weatherill

Aggh! Sorry to hear that Paul :o(

When I had my gearbox replaced, I also fitted a lighted PTP flywheel (30% lighter - makes the engine feel a fair bit more lively! Increases grin factor certainly :o)) and also an AP competition clutch (only slightly sharper than the standard - doesn't effect driveability at all).

They were my 'silver lining' purchases when I had my gearbox replaced just before Christmas.

If replacing the gearbox, you could consider fitting a close ratio gearbox? New, they're cheaper than the equivalent gearbox from Rover (900 versus 1100 quid - exclusive of taxes).

You could try phoning around the Elise specialists, as the CR 'box is OE on the S1 111S and on all S2s.

Rob Bell

Paul >>tried to drive to other garage, unfortunately transmission failed going along the motorway.<<

That could be anything. When something like this happened to me, my immmediate reaction was to think clutch or gearbox...Doh!... not at all, was a CV-joint coming apart .... an all important circlip had been omitted at some stage.

Hope yours is an equally simple fix.... fingers x-ed.

Let us know the outcome.

JMcF
John McFeely

Ahhh nooo Rob.

I had my head buried in the sand trying to hide from knowing the cost a new gear box :-)

Yup could be expensive, but I'll just have to wait.

Will know more after the weekend.

John,

I wish it was something simple :-/ but not looking likely.

thanks for info on CR gearbox Rob, certainly something to be considered.

paul weatherill

This thread was discussed on 07/01/2004

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