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MG TD TF 1500 - inexperienced TF owner

Ian,
1. Drain the fuel tank & re-fill with fresh gas
2. Install charged battery
3. turn on ignition--should hear clicking of fuel pump, which should stop after 15/20 sec., indicating that you have filled the float bowl on carbs. If it doesn't stop within 60 sec., check to see if fuel is coming out of overflow pipe(s), if it is, this indicates stuck needle valve(s) in float bowl(s)
4. Check oil level in sump (better yet, chang oil and filter) Check coolant level in radiator
5. Remove spark plugs, inject a bit of light oil into each cylinder. leave plugs out for now
6. With ignition OFF, crank engine until you get a reading on your oil pressure gauge.
7. Replace spark plugs, turn on ignition, activate starter--it should start fairly readily
8. If there are no untoward, ominous sounds from the engine, get it up to operating temperature, then do a compression check. Ideal would be a reading of 130 to 140+ psi in all cylinders. If one or more are much below that range, further diagnosis is in order before you go very far from home.
9. If no bad noises, and good compression readings, check out the brakes, then DRIVE her.
Hope this helps
Carl Fritz

Carl's comments are right on the money. Especially check for gas leaks- at first, and thereafter- esp. the copper line to carb and carb to carb lines- many older ones split and pour gas on the manifold- not good. When running a bit, flush and change the coolant, and while at it, the rubber rad hoses. The brake cylinders will be shot- frozen or leaking. The front ones have no rubber moisture seal, and the steel pistons nicely freeze in the cyl. body. The master cyl. is a "single barrel"- they usually just leak and do not work. I came home from college to drive the TD some years ago, and nearly crashed when the pedal went to the floor! Also check the trans. fluid and rear end oil. Points may also need to be cleaned or changed if no spark. Good luck!
George Butz

This thread was discussed on 08/12/1999

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.