MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

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 MGA - How come?

Hi, I have a dumb question. I had an old volvo 122, that had a Cast iron block, 4 cylinders, points ignition, and su carbureted engine. This mill ALWAYS started consistently well in even very sub zero Canadian winter temperatures (often minus 30 or 40 degrees F. Can anyone explain why an MG engine which has much the same engine configuaration will not start when the temperature dips to just zero? Is it a Prince of Darkness problem, or are there other factors? Cheers, GLenn
Glenn

I have a guess Glenn but don't know for sure,a combination of cam timing,compression and ignition timing? Back in the dark ages (about 1982) I had a 80 diesel VW,my Dad had a 82 diesel Volvo and my wife had a 79 MGB. It got so cold out that the only thing that would run was the MGB, I always just thought the MGB was just dumb enough to want to go out when the others wanted to stay in.
gary starr

Glenn. Take a look at your carbs and choke mechanism to make sure everything is working correctly.

When I lived in Wyoming, my experiences were similar to what Gary has described--my MGA was the most reliable winter car I had, probably because of the manual choke. As I remember it, we used 10W-30 oil in the engines and the carb pistons back then for winter use. The A was far more reliable than the various Ford and Chevrolet products we owned when it got really cold outside.

Les
Les Bengtson

When we lived in Montana my MGBGT would always start until temperatures went below -15 F. Then it became cranky. From about -5 F on the heater was for all practical purposes worthless so temperature rather than starting dictated use and that was with the radiator blocked. I like my MGA but it's owner would rather use the Toyota when the temperatures go below 40 or 50 for that matter.
Bill Haglan

Fellows what I have found is this. I asked myself why should a piece of cold steel be any different then a piece of warm steel for starting purposes. My answer is there should not be any difference. If I heat the garage above 40 degrees F she starts. I believe it's the vaporization of the fuel in the fuel air mixture. So it would appear it's a characteristic of the carb set ups on the A. My TF starts in any temperature though when it's really cold I may have to pull the starter a number of times.
Baz
Baz

You also have to consider different cranking power (and age) of the battery and oil viscosity.
Steve

Right Steve and in REALLY cold weather I use a diptick heater.
Baz
Baz

I bought my BGT in Winnipeg Manitoba.
As long as I used the block heater there were no problems...and Everyone in Winterpeg uses a block heater! It's a good thing it started because at those temps I wasn't about to go outside and fix it!

Rich
Rich McKIe

Glenn

Probably because in the MGA the battery is in the boot and all the electricity gets frozen while travelling up the ice cold wire the length of the car!

Steve
Steve Gyles

My first car was a 71 midget. When it got down below 10F or so it was a bear to crank. Most times I had to bump start it. I replaced damn near every component on the starting system with no luck. I was convinced it was a part of MG ownership although the heater always did well once she ran.
Ken

This thread was discussed between 21/01/2007 and 22/01/2007

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.