The MGF Register Forums

Hi, just bought an mgf and its been sorned for a while by the previous owner. He said he'd been starting it now and again but it wouldn't start when I picked it up. Towed it home and it did start when it was being towed but wouldn't keep running at low revs, just kept cutting out. I replaced the spark plugs thinking they could be the problem but still didn't start. I can smell petrol on the spark plug so I assume fuel is getting to the engine. Anyone have any ideas?
Managed to jam the starter now and cannot free it up. Will remove and check it.

Old petrol?

Injectors need cleaning?

If the car has been sitting for a while then this will make interesting reading.

https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp-count ... -tanks.pdf

It basically states that after 5 weeks the air:fuel mixture for a system set to 13:1 will become 12.3:1.

You should get about 10 litres of NEW fuel, preferably 98 Octane, add to the tank and crank the new fuel into the engine
which may take some time. If it then doesn't start then you have a deeper issue, but get this one covered first.

Ever had trouble starting a lawn mower, then decided to fill the fuel tank up and hey magic it starts straight away.
This article explains why.

We all should add a few gallons of fuel to our cars every week if doing low mileages.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It could be a number of problems and the best way to understand what is (or isn't) going on to scan the ECU.
What scanner you use depends upon which version you have.

So
Which version do you have? (i.e. what age, which engine?)

James

Hi, Its a 2000 model with the standard 1796 cc engine.