MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Ominous Rattle

I started the TD today after some weeks rest. Almost immediately heard a harsh rattle. Several cautious starts later this noise appears to come from the area of the timing chain box, but it could be somewhere else near-by. It sounds as though a piece of metal is moving about and striking another piece of metal. It is only evident at tick-over and stops when the engine is revved slightly.

Before I strip down everything are there any suggestions as to what might have failed?
Ian Bowers

Ian, it may be a timing chain, stretched to the point that it hits the cover at idle, above idle the oil pressure increase pushes the chain tensioner out, so you do not hear it.
Rotate the crankshaft back & forth, while checking the distributor rotor for movement.
Len Fanelli

Not wishing to frighten you. Remove the fan belt and try it.If still noisey, grasp the crank pulley and try and rotate it back and forth. Any movement or clonk may indicate a broken crank.
They will still run if a web has broken.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Also, wiggle the fan blades and see if your water pump bearings are shot - one guy towed his car to me to be overhauled, when he only had a bad water pump knocking.

Ever hopeful, Tom
t lange

Thank you all, and for any thoughts still to come. That is a seriously helpful list to get to grip with tomorrow. I will report back with results and any further evidence.
Ian Bowers

Ian,
I had a similar sound for a few very annoying years,, It sounded like a chain ratteling,, but went away on exceleration or reving,, I convinced myself that it was the timing chain or tensioner,, but the car kept on running great,,, One day I was determined to find the source before going after the timing chain and tensioner,,, and on close inspection, behind the front carb, I found a loose manifold clamp,, it would only rattle at certain rpms,, suprisingly, the manifold didn't leak,,
Tightened it up and the sound went away!!

SPW

STEVE WINCZE

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2014 and 14/04/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now