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MG TD TF 1500 - Clutch problem?

Earlier this year I moved to northen California from New Jersey. Almost every day has been perfect MG driving weather, so I have racked up a lot of miles. Which bring me to my latest problem, or as I view it, an opportunity to learn more about mg td maintenance and repair.

On Saturday night, we took what should have been a short drive, but we ended up in bumper to bumper traffic for almost 1 hour. And I mean real slow, moving 5 feet forward, stop for 15 seconds, and then repeat. Initially everything was fine but after a whille the car started to lurch forward when I moved from stop in first gear. Soon thereafter I noticed a funny smell. However I really couldn't go anywhere so I soldiered on.

Finally we got through the jam and headed home. Everything seemed fine until we turned on the street that heads up a rather steep hill towards our house. This is a steep hill but usually I can easily go up in third or fourth gear. However now I could barely make it up in second gear. It seemed as if the car was slipping.

I am afraid that I burned out the clutch, although I really don't know what that means. So my first question is this possible and is there any test I can do to verify the poblem. And if indeed the clutch needs to be replaced can anyone recommend a good mechanic here in Los Gatos, or anywwhere nearby in the South Bay area (Silicon Valley)?

As usual thanks in advance for your help.

Mike
Mike Iandolo

Does sound like your clutch has given up the ghost - but be sure to check the WSM for adjustment info first. A slipping clutch is usually a problem of adjustment, oil on the surface (rear main seal) or no lining left at all.

IF you do need a new clutch, having the engine out is a good time to replace the engine core plugs (I sell brass ones), and do various engine tidying. You might also consider lightening your flywheel while you are right there, check all belts, hoses, engine and transmission mounts, and engine steady rubbers.

Tom Lange
Bar Harbor, Maine
t lange

If you could smell it and it started slipping, resign yourself to the fact, it's burnt/glazed and needs replacing! Check the pressure plate for cracks and replace the throw out bearing at the same time. JMHO. PJ
P Jennings

Mike,
You have e-mail with two in the area.

Here is a link to many more;
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/garages/California.html

Good Luck,
G D

And replace the pilot bushing in the end of the crank.

Tom Lange
Bar Harbor, Maine
t lange

Mike,

You can quickly check if your clutch needs to be adjusted. Just lightly push on the pedal with your hand, if you feel some slack (at least a quater of an inch, but the correct amount is three quaters of an inch) you need to replace the clutch. If you don't have any play then adjust the rod or cable to obtain the slack, and then see if you still have clutch slip.

John

J Scragg

Hi Tom

Reading commnents on various topics here frequently and believe i get the meaning of most of it although english isn't my first language. But you mention replacing the engine core plugs. What is engine core plugs? Sorry for my language skills, but I need to ask, as I intend to have the engine out this winter for tidying and painting.

Thanks in advance

Torben
Torben Olesen

Heia Danmark . Torben, I cannot give you a good answer, but try Google. And good luck!
PS. Have you got a lot of butter in Denmark these days? Why not help us Norwegians! :-)
Raymond Wardenaer

Hi Raymond
n
Spoke to a collegue in Oslo today, and he didn't even bother to mention anything about butter, so I kind of thought that the butterissue in Norway was solved by now. But apparantly not, and bearing in mind that you flew in yeast to us some years ago maybe we ought to figure something out. But at least Vinmonopolen isn't on strike this Christmas!

Torben
Torben Olesen

Core plugs are metal discs in the engine block.They sometimes come loose resulting in coolant loss.

AJ

A R Jones

torben, core plugs are convex metal discs originally made of steel at the factory, but tom sells brass core plugs that will not corrode...at least not in a couple of life times. these plugs are used to close the designed casting holes needed to cast the block. regards, tom
tom peterson

Hi Mike, first you need to join the Sorry Safari Touring Society, www.sstsmg.com, a shop down your way is owned by Bill Hiland and is in Morgan Hill. bhiland@ontheroadagain.com . your clutch probably just needs adjusting.
Terry in Oakland
Terry Sanders

HI again

Think I got the picture now. Here in Denmark we call these frost(freeze) plugs as they usually are pressed out of place in cold weather and thereby minimizing the risk of cracks caused by the cooling water freezing during winter.

rgds

Torbdn
Torben Olesen

Torben, I think that most of us over here also call them freeze plugs. Bud
Bud Krueger

torben, the use of the term freeze plugs instead of the correct term, core plugs, is quite common here in the states too. however, the idea that they pop out and prevent blocks from cracking is not correct. regards, tom

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105.htm
tom peterson

This thread was discussed between 07/12/2011 and 09/12/2011

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