QuestionHoward,
Sorry for the delay; I went on your website and didn't read about the spammers so have been emailing!
Anyway, many thanks for the reply. It was very kind of you to offer to help and I'd be extremely grateful for any guidance with this. I shall try not to pester you too much!
I'll take a look under the valve cover and get back to you. I mentioned this problem to a mechanic I know in passing and he mentioned the oil pump - is it possible that this caused the problem?
I'm happy to communicate via this site but if a direct email is easier, just let me know. I am moving house soon but I have located a double garage in which I can store my MG and work on it, so hope to get started on this in the summer...
Richard
richard.martin 'at' dunelm.org.uk
>> Subject 74 MG BGT breakdown
>> Question Hello Howard,
>>
>> My chrome bumpered MG BGT broke down last year and I ran out of cash so it
>> has been garaged since. I would like to start fixing it but it is immobile
>> and I don't know what went wrong. I'f I tell you the symptoms, perhaps you
>> might have an idea?
>>
>> I was driving at 70mph on the motorway when the engine developed a
>> clattering noise (mechanical sounding from under the bonnet) and the gauge
>> showed a much reduced oil pressure. I pulled off and checked the oil level
>> which was between min and max but I topped up anyway. I tried driving
>> again but the oil pressure gauge was still way down. Quickly the
>> clattering got louder, all power just disappeared, and I ground to a halt.
>>
>> I got towed home and put the car in the garage. Nothing visible under the
>> bonnet. I tried the ignition just once since then and the engine turned
>> over and fired weakly before stalling.
>>
>> My guess is that this is serious and I would quite like to strip the
>> engine anyway. I wouldn't want to do this without having an inkling as to
>> what the problem might be. If yu have any ideas I'd really appreciate
>> hearing from you.
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Richard (Durham, UK)
>>
>>
>>
>> Answer Hi Richard,
>> It does sound serious. But before you pull the engine out remove the valve
>> cover and look closely at the rocker arms and shaft to see that nothing
>> has come apart. If it all looks normal and in place it is time to pull the
>> engine and remove the pan to see what went wrong. Rod bearings and
>> possibly mains too is my guess. With low oil pressure and noise you should
>> be able to feel loose rod bearings by just grab the rod and wiggle it. If
>> any are loose (my guess is one or several will be)It is very unlikely that
>> you can just put new bearing in and go again. When a bearing goes it
>> usually takes the crank too.
>> If you decide to rebuild it yourself let me know and I can walk you
>> through it. I have a good background in MG and engine rebuilding.
>> Howard
>> http://mg-tri-jag.net
AnswerHi Richard,
Oil pump failure on an MG is rare and that is not important at this time because if you had an oil pump failure, it only takes seconds to cause engine damage. When you have a loss of oil pressure and noise, it is a sure sign you have internal damage and must go into the engine to correct it.
I am retired and do this as a hobby so you are not bothering me at all. I will be glad to help you go through the engine when you get into a position to start on it.
I also have a section of you web site that covers engine rebuild which will be of some help to you also.
You can contact me via this All Experts or by my e-mail listed in my web site. I will be glad to help.
Howard
