MGF Hood Problems

[blindmaninchains]

There is an MGF on fleabay that has caught my eye and am hoping to go see it tomorrow. I know what to check for for impending HGF and a fw other things from reading the threads one here (cheers!), but haven't come across this before.

Here is the problem as it appears in the ebay listing:

The car drives fine I drove it back after delivering the customers new car. The biggest fault I can find is the hood; I have only managed to get it down once down and can’t honestly say I know what caused it to go down, it normally just sits half up half down. I really can’t imagine it’s going to be anything serious or I would never have managed to get it up and down full stop. Also the radio doesn’t work, but mechanically it seems excellent for its age and mileage.

Has anyone come across anything like this before? I'm assuming if it's totally knackered, a new hood won't be cheap!

Thanks in advance.

Link to ad:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[hearselover]

The roof is a common fault and all you need to do when you put the hood down is pull the frame bar up that is jamming and stopping it going the rest of the way down. You can buy assister straps but ive never bothered.

Ash

[blindmaninchains]

Cool, thanks.

[Speed addicted]

I fitted the elastic straps from ebay, they take about 5 mins to fit and cost £10. Problem solved.

Or you could just make sure that the roof spars go back in sequence, and this is free!

[forsure]

hearselover said:

The roof is a common fault and all you need to do when you put the hood down is pull the frame bar up that is jamming and stopping it going the rest of the way down. You can buy assister straps but ive never bothered.

Ash

It's the front bar on mine (or top bar when it's stuck halfway), I just have to lift the bar about half an inch and away it goes.

I actually find it quite a useful 'fault', because it gives the opportunity to make sure the rear screen isn't folding awkwardly.

eta: of course there's no need to tell the seller that it's a minor issue

Edited by forsure on Monday 7th June 15:53

[blindmaninchains]

forsure said:

hearselover said:

eta: of course there's no need to tell the seller that it's a minor issue

Edited by forsure on Monday 7th June 15:53

Yeah, I'd planned on using that tactic, but after seeing the car today, I won't be bidding.

[hearselover]

blindmaninchains said:

forsure said:

hearselover said:

eta: of course there's no need to tell the seller that it's a minor issue

Edited by forsure on Monday 7th June 15:53

Yeah, I'd planned on using that tactic, but after seeing the car today, I won't be bidding.

Oh dear was it that bad.

[blindmaninchains]

hearselover said:

blindmaninchains said:

forsure said:

hearselover said:

eta: of course there's no need to tell the seller that it's a minor issue

Edited by forsure on Monday 7th June 15:53

Yeah, I'd planned on using that tactic, but after seeing the car today, I won't be bidding.

Oh dear was it that bad.

Mayo in the oil. Ride height of 320mm. And as for being in "good condition", hmmm....

[blindmaninchains]

I'm going to see this one in the next couple of days:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Needs a VIC check and V5 applied for as it was a Cat C write off. But it has passed an MOT this month, so all is straight (hopefully).

Anyone have any experience of the VIC process?

[blindmaninchains]

I've decided against going to see the one posted above, had a message back from the seller saying that he didn't have any service history as the insurance company demanded all the history, receipts and old MOTs for the car so they could destroy them. Sounds a bit fishy to me.

Anyway, hoping to go see this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1745582.htm

Edit: nope, it's sold...

Edited by blindmaninchains on Tuesday 8th June 12:30

[hearselover]

blindmaninchains said:

I've decided against going to see the one posted above, had a message back from the seller saying that he didn't have any service history as the insurance company demanded all the history, receipts and old MOTs for the car so they could destroy them. Sounds a bit fishy to me.

Anyway, hoping to go see this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1745582.htm

No thats right the insurance company do this, they want the V5c, MOT, Insurance Certificate, all servicing docs and keys. If you chose to buy the car back then you must get a VIC check and get a new MOT certificate. This is so that they ensure that it is recorded properly so the seller is right.

[blindmaninchains]

Ah, OK.

Still, as he mentioned in his reply to me, the car has no MOT (which makes the title of his listing a little naughty!), so not sure I'd be prepared to take the risk.

[hearselover]

blindmaninchains said:

Ah, OK.

Still, as he mentioned in his reply to me, the car has no MOT (which makes the title of his listing a little naughty!), so not sure I'd be prepared to take the risk.

I think you may be right to leave it, he says his wife is driving it every day but it has no MOT and still needs teh VIC check so I dont think he will have the V5c (but im not 100%). There are loads more around our area for sale some good some bad some great.

Ash

[blindmaninchains]

This is a possibility:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-MG-MGF-MGF-Red-/1303935...

Just rang them, they told me it has MOT until end of October and receipts for a new cambelt and water pump done a couple of months ago.

[hearselover]

Got to be worth a look, if you get one and you do have any problems I know a top guy for any serious repairs when it comes to MG / Rover and in particular the MGF. He's ex MGF, BMW and police so knows his stuff and is only in Plawsworth. Also if you find one with a split rear screen I knwo a guy that will replace them for £50.

Ash

[blindmaninchains]

Yeah! Just bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Brake lights are permanently on (probably caused by my brake test and easily fixed apparently) and tyres, although have enough tread to last a few thousand more miles and are a decent brand (Avon) could do with replacing.

More importantly, took my 5 year old lad out in it and he laughed his head off when the VVC kicked in (yo!). I think this may be the start of a beautiful friendship...

Edited by blindmaninchains on Wednesday 16th June 01:04

[hearselover]

Fantastic well done, hope you have a lot of fun with it. Just one very tiny point though its actualLy 143bhp not 145 but that makes sod all difference.

[forsure]

blindmaninchains said:

Yeah! Just bought this:

Nice one, looks good.

I reckon the values of these Mk1s have pretty well 'bottomed-out' now, they're superb value for just over a grand.

Had my ebay bargain (£1180) for a month now, and it hasn't disappointed in any way.

[Segakid]

Nice one! Did you sort the brake lights? It's a dead easy fix, there's a bolt under the brake lever that just needs adjusting to sort it

[blindmaninchains]

Yes, found how to do it on another forum, very helpful place.

I've had the oil and filter changed (replaced with Castrol Magnatec to try and quieten down the VVC when it's cold - it hasn't worked!) and a 4 Toyo Proxes fitted as some tightwad fool had fitted it with remoulds(!).
Loving it so far