The B has landed
Discussion
It's been a long wait, but my B GT has finally made it to Surrey! From a fairly ropey example in the Midlands, via a cow shed in Burgundy and then a driveway in Wellingborough, she's now happily living in my garage... Boy does it feel good!
Some boring pics and a couple of questions:
In the beginning:
Today, after a bath and polish:
We need to do some interior work on her - how easy will it be to replace the centre console? I'm keen to do this before I get as far as installing the stereo I've bought for her, but as a novice at this, don't want to bite off more than I can chew!
I've also noticed her reverse lights don't work - is there anywhere obvious to look to try and fix this asap? (I've ordered the Haynes manual, but it hasn't arrived!)
Cheers!
Some boring pics and a couple of questions:
In the beginning:
Today, after a bath and polish:
We need to do some interior work on her - how easy will it be to replace the centre console? I'm keen to do this before I get as far as installing the stereo I've bought for her, but as a novice at this, don't want to bite off more than I can chew!
I've also noticed her reverse lights don't work - is there anywhere obvious to look to try and fix this asap? (I've ordered the Haynes manual, but it hasn't arrived!)
Cheers!
Reverse Lights should be fairly easy to trace working methodically. First off check that all of your fuses are intact. With the the ignition on (but engine not running), select reverse gear and then take a voltmeter probe to the power wires to the light units and to a reliable earth. That will tell you whether power is getting to the units or not. If it is, then the fault lies either inside the units (which will be blown bulbs or dodgy contacts) or with the earthing. If it is not, then the fault is either in the wiring run or the gearbox switch. To test that, take the voltmeter again and see if power is getting to the gearbox switch and coming out of it - that'll tell you whether the fault lies in the wiring run or the switch.
The centre console isn't too difficult to remove. From memory, you have to remove the armrest section first, as the rear edge of the centre consloe sits under the front edge of that. The armrest section should come off with a couple of screws in the armrest box and removal of the gear leaver surround ring. After that, it is a case of getting hands behind the centre console to remove switches, blanking plates etc etc that get in the way of seeing the mounting screws. Again from memory, I think there are about 4 or 6.
MG Mark
The centre console isn't too difficult to remove. From memory, you have to remove the armrest section first, as the rear edge of the centre consloe sits under the front edge of that. The armrest section should come off with a couple of screws in the armrest box and removal of the gear leaver surround ring. After that, it is a case of getting hands behind the centre console to remove switches, blanking plates etc etc that get in the way of seeing the mounting screws. Again from memory, I think there are about 4 or 6.
MG Mark
Stephw1 said:
If its the switch it will be a worn bush from the gear select lever; gearbox out job and bush replace- easy to replace bush, stack loads of effort mind. check and double check wiring connectors!
Agreed - stacks of effort if it is that. If there is no other reason to take the gearbox out, then think about wiring in a separate fused supply to a manual reverse switch in the car mounted on/under the dashboard - heck of lot easier/more reliable and the only thing you have to do is remember to switch them on and off.MG Mark
Gave the connectors at the back of the reversing lights a bit of a clean - still no joy.
Then five minutes later when I was reversing it back into the garage they suddenly came on and have been working ever since!
Hey-ho!
MG Mark - have had a better look at the centre console now and you're right - is just a few screws and the gear lever surround to remove. Thanks for the advice.
Cheers,
Ant
Then five minutes later when I was reversing it back into the garage they suddenly came on and have been working ever since!
Hey-ho!
MG Mark - have had a better look at the centre console now and you're right - is just a few screws and the gear lever surround to remove. Thanks for the advice.
Cheers,
Ant
pantscat said:
Gave the connectors at the back of the reversing lights a bit of a clean - still no joy.
Then five minutes later when I was reversing it back into the garage they suddenly came on and have been working ever since!
Hey-ho!
Ant
It won't last! A B is not a B unless at least one of them is faulty.Then five minutes later when I was reversing it back into the garage they suddenly came on and have been working ever since!
Hey-ho!
Ant
That's good to know anyway! 
On another note - I've noticed that it's getting a little low on oil... as a complete numpty I've no idea how much oil the engine should hold? (4 litres perhaps?)
It's just below minimum on the dipstick and I'm not sure how much to put in... I guess it's just a case of trickling it in letting it settle and seeing how it goes.
Is it best to check the oil when the engine is warm?
Ta,
A
On another note - I've noticed that it's getting a little low on oil... as a complete numpty I've no idea how much oil the engine should hold? (4 litres perhaps?)
It's just below minimum on the dipstick and I'm not sure how much to put in... I guess it's just a case of trickling it in letting it settle and seeing how it goes.
Is it best to check the oil when the engine is warm?
Ta,
A
Warm or cold but the oil goes through the engine quicker when topping up when it's warm.
If it is just below min try about half a litre.
Total oil is about 4 litres yes.
When you change the oil get the engine hot.
Switch off engine and remove oil filter and sump plug (with drip tray underneath!)
New oil filter rub a bit of old oil on the seal and refit, spin on till it nips then about a good quarter turn. Refit sump plug.
Fill with about 4 litres.
After giving the oil a minute or so to drain in to sump switch on engine watching oil pressure gauge, DO NOT REV, oil pressure will go high then drop then go back to normal, this is due to it filling the oil filter.
Switch off after a minute and let the oil drop back in to sump for a few mins. Check level and top up as required.
If it is just below min try about half a litre.
Total oil is about 4 litres yes.
When you change the oil get the engine hot.
Switch off engine and remove oil filter and sump plug (with drip tray underneath!)
New oil filter rub a bit of old oil on the seal and refit, spin on till it nips then about a good quarter turn. Refit sump plug.
Fill with about 4 litres.
After giving the oil a minute or so to drain in to sump switch on engine watching oil pressure gauge, DO NOT REV, oil pressure will go high then drop then go back to normal, this is due to it filling the oil filter.
Switch off after a minute and let the oil drop back in to sump for a few mins. Check level and top up as required.
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