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 - narrowing down where the ghost lives

Well I can pretty much guarantee its not spark knock. I put half a tank of 93 octane and half a tank of 110 octane pure gasoline and the noise persists.

I've pretty much narrowed it down to the fan, water pump, generator, timing chain cover area.

Next weekend I'll pull out the radiator and work from there.

Here's the question. Can the car be run for short periods with the radiator removed so I can track the noise?
T McCarthy

I sure wouldn't run mine with the radiator removed. I also wouldn't remove the radiator to track down a noise. What you need is a stethoscope, or just a 3ft length of vinyl tubing held to your ear. http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=res20020801dt&cccid=5&scccid=5

I had a noise at a certain rpm range. I tracked it down to a loose pulley on the generator. I used a 3 ft piece of plastic tubing, held one end to my ear and pointed the other end at various parts of the engine until I isolated the noise.
Jeff Schultz

A Stethoscope is a very good idea. However, you could certain run the engine with the fan belt removed. I've used this method in the past. I too have suffered a loose generator pulley. Makes an interesting noise....before it begins to tear up your armature shaft!

Good hunting!
GTF
G. Foster

A long screwdriver works well also. Hold the end of the handle against your ear and probe with the screwdriver tip.
John H

That screwdriver method works great for internal noises from the block or valve train, but not if the noise is coming from the fan belt area. Might be kind of dangerous holding a screwdriver to your ear and probing around the fan.
Jeff Schultz

That would be what's know as the Van Gogh method.
Andy Bounsall

Hi I had a similar noise it was the rivits holding the bottom pulley together they had worn over time and were making a rattly sort of noise


gordon
g c pugh

A mate of mine tried the screwdriver trick. Why do we call him "One-eye Pete"? I found my problem was loose rivets on the bottom pulley. I replaced it with the cast-iron type.
Barry.
BM Gannon

Just to second GTF, take the fan belt off and see if it still makes the noise. Narrows it down a bit.

Chris.
Chris Currah

If it is the crankshaft pulley that is rattling because of loose rivets - replace it now rather than later - the one on my '61 midget flew apart( in 1972 as an every day driver) and destroyed the radiator - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

I think I've got it.

Bad generator bushes. They are a mess.

I'm just going to switch over to an alternator while in there.
T McCarthy

This thread was discussed between 16/07/2007 and 20/07/2007

MG MGA index

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