Garage Servicing

[Fletch29]

My TF is now 4 years old and should have its belts changed asap. I'm too idle/old to do it myself so am looking for recommended MG specialists in N.Wales/Wirral/Cheshire area, does anybody have any thoughts or recommendations and rough guide to likely cost. Car is very low mileage but I assume the belts will have aged.
I was impressed with new MG garage in Chester(Walkers) but I suspect they won't have done much F/TF servicing

Many thanks in anticipation.

[Canalsman]

I live just north of Macclesfield and opted to take my TF to Steve McKie in Chesterfield for its first 4 year service.

Might be a bit far for you though.

Reason for selection - advertises in Safety Fast, listed on MGCC web list of suppliers, BMH approved, owns 4 (if I recall correctly) F/TF's, and he discussed with me at length on the phone what needed or might need doing.

All fluids were changed, cam belts (two because mine's a 160), new belt tensioners, new water pump (because it was weeping), new alternator belt (on the verge of breaking!), oil (fully synthetic), filter - plus all the standard service checks.

Large bill (around £600).

Recommended as a very conscientious and nice guy to deal with.

[redbeard57]

just as a by the way, I have used Mobil 1 and Mobil SHC for many years as working for Mobil it was sold to employees at a much reduced price. However, when I was talking about oils and HGF at a meeting somebody advised against using fully synthetic oils in the MGF, as it is too highly speced for the engine....I am not saying dont use full synthetics, but maybe check into it and think about the options.......

[Canalsman]

I worked for Shell during the 1970s in the IT field, but I recall some of the technical issues that were explained to those who had an interest.

There was at that time a relatively short life span for oil. The long-chain polymers that helped maintain viscosity in multi-grade engine oils at high temperature broke down relatively quickly. Quite literally they were 'chewed up' as I remember it being described. The chains became shorter and shorter, and the viscosity dropped.

The other important issue is that the oil cleans the engine through the use of additives for the purpose.

When fully synthetic oils came along, they were engineered to increase the wear resistance of the long-chain polymers, as I understand it, thereby increasing the oils ability to lubricate effectively over a longer period.

Consequently oil change intervals could be increased, and many manufacturers took advantage of this.

I believe that the TF (and presumably the F) specifies the use of semi-synthetic oil - a sort of half way house that reduces the cost of the oil a bit from that of a fully synthetic oil.

Again, I am open to correction, but the use of a fully synthetic oil, provided the viscosity range is correct, can really only be a good thing - particularly if you stick to the same service interval specified for the semi-synthetic product.

You are getting significantly better engine protection at a very small, in percentage terms, increase in service costs.

[redbeard57]

That is the reasons that I have used full synthetic oils since the early 80s....but my comment was that I have been advised against using full synthetics in an F as they are not designed to take it. If that advice is wrong, I would be more than happy to change back to a full synthetic product. Can anybody out there help on this one

[Helsbyman]

i too have heard this about fully synthetic oil but i too am of the opinion that fully synthetic is ok for Fs /TFs for the reasons given plus i have used f/s oil on my car now on 46k mls no trouble I have also been in touch with moble on this subject and there reply was who ever say this is talking though there A***