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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Tinkling sound

I've now put about 500 miles on the midget (1500) since it was rebuilt having previously sat in dry storage for 10+ years. The other it started making a "tinkle" sound from around the gearbox. It's now got worse and is a very distinctive light rattle that only happens when pulling away up to about 20mph. No noise at all at speed. On slowing down it comes back again under 20.
Last time I heard this sort of noise was on a Supra that had a small tin on the front of the propshaft to protect the gearbox rear seal, we just cut it off and all ok.
Trouble is I have a wedding using wedding cars tonbridge photocall / bride delivery in the Midget next week and I dont want to pull it apart now or risk a breakdown at the wedding. Perhaps I should just opt for Wedding cars Sevenoaks Any ideas?
Alan McKewan

Hi Alan
Obviously I can't be sure without hearing your problem but you may be experiencing the 'zizzle' problem caused by weakness in the arrangements to damp the gear leaver (see page 143 of the Moss catalogue). This is common and there is a simple fix (part SGB0002) that will fix and it does not require the gearbox to be removed and can be done in situ.
Chris Hasluck


Sounds like the UJ's on the propshaft need replacing. Look in Archive for ways of getting the yoke back in as it's a puzzle otherwise.
Gavin Rowlesx

I know gearstick zizzle and uj noise its not either. Sounds almost like a tiny cowbell. No way of putting a sound file on here or I would..
Alan McKewan

host the sound file elsewhere and put a link to it here
Nigel Atkins

Clutch release bearing? Easy to test; keep your foot on the clutch pedal.
Alex G Matla

Just had a similar noise after working on the front of my A series, the noise was right in the middle of the car and happened on overrun.

It was the oil and coolant temperature gauge pipes touching each other, couldn't believe how much noise they made, took me and the GF about 15mins of driving to work it out.

Malc Gilliver

Pinking ???

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Its not pinking and happens regardless of clutch.
Im thinking something small and light like a seal that is hanging loose on the propshaft and rattling until it turns so fast that it settles to one side.
Its almost like a tiny cowbell. Couldnt see anything with a quick look under and my garage ramps and jack are occupied by a Cappuccino rebuild atm. It had an oil leak from the gearbox area which has now dried up, hope theres still some left..
Alan McKewan

Turn the tape deck down! You must have blue oyster cult playing!

Does it sound like this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdXfkkyI1nQ

I got a fever! And the only thing that will cure it is more cowbell!
Steven Devine

I had a similar sound on a Morris Minor. It turned out to be the starter motor. The bendix bit (for want of a better word) was a bit worn, and loose on the shaft. Drove me mad until I found out what it was. So mad in fact that I eventually went on to buy a Midget... (best car I've ever had fun-wise!)
Dominic Excell

Im shocked and horrified

Imagine that a 40 year old MG midget, making "A" strange noise...whats next, a fluid leak of some type. Oh the horror if it all


Hahaha

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

A stone in the wheels maybe ?

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Ok I was driving along slowly in traffic about 15mph listening to the cowbell again (still waiting for stereo from fleabay) and all of a sudden it lets out a very loud ding-rattle-dunk and now no noise at all! Whatever it was didnt fall off but has obviously fallen down inside somewhere, methinks in the bell housing. Think I will park up for a week until after the wedding run and then pull engine and box as planned. Watch this space.
Alan McKewan

What are you thinking, theory, ... fearing??

A lost flywheel bolt ???

U might be able to drill a good size he in the bottom of the tranny bell housing for a better look and just get a rubber plug for the hole ...save you from pulling it apart for nothing



Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I wonder if you lost a plunger and spring in the gear shift connection ...if those plastic bushings become worn, it would similar to what your saying


Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Come to thimk of it the noise was very focused on the gearstcik, I thought it was just the noise coming through the opening form below but tha tmakes sense as the gearchange has been feeling different the last few days. I was planning tio pull the engine and box to do up the crank in the next couple of weeks anyway (and maybe T9 it). Will leave it alone until after the wedding bride-delivery trip Monday week.
Alan McKewan

Hey alan,

You can remove just the shifter boot ... then its a simple nut bolt that holds the shifter handle and the plunger is below, if the nylon bushing is worn you might be able to source new similar from a good well stocked hardware store

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Are you sure its not just a loose nut maybe on the bellhousing or starter motor flange, that has worked its way loose and now completely fallen off. That happened to me with my starter motor and sounded vaguely familiar.
I have learnt never to drive with my hood up as I hear too many worrying sounds which are inaudible when running as spridget nature intended! That said, I must get round to putting new felt washers in my handbrake linkage as that or something similar is tinkling like mad and is all too audible! Gear lever zizz I can live with.
Matt1275Bucks

Aha thats my mistake I had the roof up. Just hope its roof down weather for the wedding on Monday
Alan McKewan

Alan...

void my advice,

I just realized your car is a 1500 I was refering to a 1275 ribby 4 speed, sorry about that

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed between 02/04/2014 and 09/04/2014

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