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MG MGF Technical - noise like a diesel

Hi,

My MG F 2002, is only 10,000 kms. Since the last 3,000 kms. I started to notice a noise coming from the engine.

The noise is more marked when the car is stoped and the engine runs iddle (about 800 rpm). The kind of noise is notorius and can not be unheard for anyone. If forced to describe it; I would say I sounds as a diesel car. The noise trends to dissapear as long as you press the gas - pedal and the engine runs above 2,000 rpm. The higher it runs the less you can hear the noise.

I call several times to the MG dealer in Buenos Aires , where I bought it. They say it is normal and I should pay no atention to it, many others suffer the same noise.

My question is; On your opinion, are they right ?, otherwhise; What can I do ?

Thanks for your comments,

Miguel
Miguel

Yuo do not say whether you have an MPi or a VVC. My VVC can, at low revs, sound like a diesel sometimes and an old VW Beetle at others. Just get a K&N & Sports exhaust and all other noises become insignificant.

Would be interested to know whether this is a common thing though.
Phil Brindley (Work)

Use a hose to find out where it's comming from (one end to you ear, then walk around the engine. The VVC can sound a little clattery from the cam cover, equally along the cover.
Otherwise options are a loose spark plug (centre line of the engine, remove plastic cover to get at tops of plugs)

or leaking exaust gasket
Will Munns

Sometimes the tappets can become stuck and rattle a bit. so check/change oil, make sure it's the right viscosity!! and then take the car for a run... if its the tappets it will clear.

Otherwise you have something loose!!!

So before yu do anything dramatic or likely to detonate the engine
Kick your dealer in the pants and tell him there is something wrong... so f***ing fix it Tony!!

It might just be a bolt on the exhaust or something silly if you can hear it so can your dealer!!

Jeez!!
Neil

I had this problem on my MGF, when I added some gay juice (engine oil to non-MGF owners) the noise went away.

I hope this helps. {:O}
Ste-vee

Hi Miguel,

completely agree with what the chaps have said regarding the cause of the 'clatter' - could very well be arising from the tappets. But before fearing the worse, check the oil level.

Comedy Ste-vee is quite right - the first outward sign of a low oil level is tappet noise.

Top up, and see what happens to the noise.
Rob Bell

Agree with Will, I too had that same sounding noise - Sadly I left it until my 'loose spark plug' had been blown out of the engine until I did anything about it.

To be on the overly cautious side, I really would check the spark plugs. Having the cylinder head re-threaded doesnt come cheap.
A Smith

Miguel,
Good idea to change your engine oil for a good quality 20/40 semi synthetic, if it's tappet noise that will cure it. If your idle speed is very low and a bit eratic you can also get a chatter from the transmission which will give a similar sound.
Robert
R J Hemphill

miguel, don't confuse tappet noise with vvc rattle, lack of a proper lubrication system cause these to clatter to a drop in oil. The vvc is the highest point on the engine and the most critical component that requires pressurised lubrication:-( improvements are required ;-)
Mike
mike

My girlfriend had a similiar sounding issue on a new VW Polo. Checked all the usual stuff like loose leads etc. However it turned out to be caused by poor grade fuel. A few tanks of Shell Optimax has cured the problem. What is fuel quality like in Argentina?
John D

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2003 and 22/12/2003

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