MGTF ENGINE PROBLEMS

[james280779]

Hi guys,

I have a 2002 MGTF, I have just shipped it to Australia as now living here. It arrived after 5 months (long story) and when I first started it, it sounded like it was running on 3 cyls. That cleared after about 20 mins of running.
Last night I was driving through the outback when the engine just died, no warning etc just completely cut out. The amber engine warning light is on and car wont restart. Its not the plugs as they were changed about 200 miles ago and I cant seem to find anyone here that knows anything about MG's (its the only TF in the state).

Any ideas where to start?

thanks

James

[Electric Beaver]

First off i would check the HT leads are seated correctly. I had a loose one after changing my plugs which caused the symptoms you describe. Easy fix if thats the problem!

Check out MG-rover.org there are a few members on there in Australia I believe, and there are a lot of experts who can offer much more in depth tech advice if my suggestion doesnt cure the problem!

[ronaldo342]

Is the alternator belt still on ? it may have come off and the battery could be flat.

You could have a loose HT lead or failed coil pack causing probs for the ecu,you will have to find a garage to read the fault codes.

Could be lots of things, have you checked for head gasket failure, mayo on the dipstick and oil filler cap,water in the sump coolant loss in header tank,did you notice any temp rise or steam ?

Timing belt/ tensioner failure, cover would have to be removed on the front of the engine to check this.

Kangaroo petrol?

[james280779]

Kangaroo petrol? I should of chained them to the front and used them like huskies, cost me $250 for a towie.

Ok, def not head gasket, oil clean as a whistle, no rise in oil temp, oil levels still good. Water was running hot though but no oil. Water overflowed a little when I opened it - very carefully. Showed no high level on the Gauge (usual level)

I will check HT leads and I have ordered a fault reader from HKG, makes sense to have one at that price (about 20 quid inc delivery) especially as no MG garages around here.

Battery was new last week and still full of juice.

If it was a loose HT lead wouldnt the engine still fire up and run lumpy? It turns but starter just turns over with no kick.

Ta

[Xtriple129]

Is the engine still turning over at the same rate as usual? Is it spinning over faster?

Have you checked the cambelt

[grahamw48]

Did you put fresh fuel in it ?

[james280779]

ok update

Fresh fuel was put in - a full tank, I have had it apart today. Cam belt is fine as is the Alternator belt. HT leads look good, Not the head gasket.
Any other ideas??

Whatever it is, the engine amber warning light is on, engine just turns over.

Spark plugs were new a hundred miles ago and it was fully serviced from top to bottom!

The only thing I can think of is a sensor somewhere is faulty

any help greatly appreciated

[ronaldo342]

Are you getting fuel up at the injectors ? are you getting a spark ?

[Richard Moss]

A faulty crankshaft position sensor will immobilise you and is a common cause of "failure to proceed".

[james280779]

Ok my OBDII reader arrived and I plugged it in. Its showing two faults

P0170 Fuel Trim Malfunction (bank 1)
P0340 Camshaft position sensor A - Bank 1 circuit malfunction

Now I am thinking clogged fuel filter (wasnt changed and hasnt been in 3 years I have owned it and vehicle shipped with tank almost empty) which has caused engine to die due to starvation. This then triggered the camshaft posisiton sensor as engine not running?

Is this a likely scenario?

I have ordered a new filter anyway as it needs doing.

I have erased the codes but the engine warning light is still on

[james280779]

Shortly prior to the fault I did notice a slight loss of power when accelerating also, not sure if thats consistent with my very amateur analysis

[james280779]

erm fixed...... moral of this thread................ check your fuses!