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MG MGF Technical - MGF without MEMS

A silly question perhaps but I will appreciate your help. I have a 96 F with only 56k however have gone through two MEMS and the actual one is failing. Donīt know why and where I live no one does. No dealer. No Textbook either. I am over 50 and -regretfully- will not cross to the darkside, but very fond of the F and would like to keep it. The question: Is it possible to ditch the MEMS and keep the engine running fairly on a -more- primitive system? May that be a real possibility I will very much appreciate instructions. Best to all. George
George Paton

Hi George,
sorry to hear about the MEMS-problems. Have you got any indication in what direction the MEMS fails ? Fueling ,timing or sparks,killed by overvoltage? One option that comes to my mind is to source a K 8 with carburetter. Of course the BHP will be down a bit -but still enjoyable to drive. Others might have more info but is it possible to fit a K8 carb-head and bits onto an K16 engine?? Then of course there are other types and manufact. of "MEMS" that is a direct fit to a 1.8 i.... Surely others will fill in on this topic.

BR, Carl.
Carl Blom

The things that go wrong with the electrics are few (i guess that the MEMS isn't at fault, but it's the bit that the garage really doesn't understand).

You can fit a couple of side draught webers, in fact properly set up this tends to gain you a little BHP, at the expense of the flatish torque curve.

Ask on the K series midget board (or search their archives).

What are the symptoms?

Before you do anything else, buy a can of contact/switch cleaner, follow all wires and undo the clips, spray every connector and reassemble:
MEMS unit to Loom
Relay module (behind MEMS) to loom (x2)
Crankshaft sensor (level with crankshaft, inlet side, points into back of flywheel)
Coolant temp sensor (exaust side, gearbox end, brown connector _and_ blue or black connector)
Throttle Position sensor [TPS] (on inlet manifold, gearbox end)
Idle Air Control Valve [IACV] (same place)
Injector Wires (same place)
Lamda sensor (in exaust manifold, connector is on wire)
Coil pack[s] (under inlet manifold or under plastic rocker cover cover)
Charcoal canister (big black canister with air tubes)
If seperate, MAP sensor, if not then check tubing is secure (tube to cambelt end of inlet manifold)

It might be a good idea to go under the centre console and do the plug to the Immobalizer as well (under radio)
Will Munns

jonatraedashseverndotcom
(email address)
Has a 1.4 on webers, note, you will still need an ECU of some sort to do the timing.
Will Munns

D'oh, and of course the obvious:
The Emerald ECU, keeps injection, but you can connect to it with a standard PC, it is fully mapable as well, and will work with the Alarm ECU.
Will Munns

As Will says, you need to keep MEMS or similar for ignition timing. Since ignition is probably the problem area, then keeping MEMS for fuelling is preferable to carbs.
The alternative is a different ECU - such as the Emerald, but this usually requires a rolling road and skilled operator to set up.
How did your last MEMS get changed without access to TestBook ?
One way the 'darkside' may help you: Changing to a K&N airfilter lowered the temperature around the MEMS unit on my VVC - providing much higher airflow in this area.
Steve

The most imprtant question first (that has yet been asked).

"IS YOUR F A 1.8i OR A VVC?"

If it is a 1.8i then all of the above applies.

If it is a VVC then you have a problem, as the VVC mechanism is run by the MEMS. To date no one does an aftermarket ECU that will cope with the VVC system (although there i a lot of work going on trying to crack it at the moment). If your F is a VVC and you still want to scrap the MEMS, then you need to junk the VVC mechanism as well and covert the head to a solid cam arrangement.

SF
Michael Jackass

Thank you. Mine is a 1.8 MPI. Iīve been told that a short at high temp within the ignition coil might have killed the MEMS. Last replacement involved sending the car thousands of miles away. From your inputs I gather that ditching the MEMS is not possible because of timing. Any other way to get the timing? George.
George Paton

Yes, use a diffrent ECU,

Jon (email address above) uses GEMS,
Some here use Emerald (primarly for tuning capabilities, but for you diagnostics would be king)

but there are quite a few options on the market for classic cars, not sure how well they'd interface with the crank sensor though.
Will Munns

Another option might be a complete replacement (swap) of

- MEMS ECU
- Alarm ECU (Immobilizer)
- Keys, Locks and Transmitter.

Second hand parts market in the UK gets in my mind here.
MG Centre etc.

We probably can do part number suggestions if you post your cars VIN (secret and confidential) to http://www.mgfcar.de/vin/index.htm

Regards
Dieter


Dieter K.

But if you replace with MG/Rover parts then you are left in exactly the same position if you break down again!
Will Munns

Of course, so just source the kit twice and safe shipment costs.
:-/

Ok, I get my coat ....
Dieter K.

So no easy task indeed. Naive perhaps but I have imagined that the engine could be somewhat simplified even underperforming. Now I am afraid that my F problems can not be solved and feel that is going to be increasingly troubling to keep a car like this in the future. Whatīs going to happen in let say ten years from now?
Thanks to you all Gentlemen are in order.
George
George Paton

This thread was discussed between 31/03/2004 and 02/04/2004

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