An issue with my early VVC
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
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Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
An issue with my early VVC
Hey everyone, I'm currently facing an issue with my early VVC. Occasionally, it starts and immediately cuts out. There are instances where I've had to wait before attempting to start it again. My initial suspicion is the fuel filter, but I don't have any records from the previous owner. Once it starts, the car runs fine. Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: An issue with my early VVC
First off, welcome to the forum! Where in the US are you based?
I am assuming that in your ownership, the MG previously ran and drove just fine and that the cam belts have all been replaced within the service schedule (generally around 5 years/60k miles).
Fortunately, I do not think that this is something to do with the VVC mechanism. Therefore, we need to get down to first principles of fuel, spark and air.
Good news is that it starts - so we know we have at least the fundamentals there. How fast does the engine run just prior to cutting out?
It sounds though you are suspecting fuel pressure/ delivery, which seems sensible. I guess you can hear the fuel pump running. Fuel pressure at the fuel rail should be 3 bar. If you have a way of measuring this, it would be good to confirm.
Fuel filters in the UK seem to last forever - we must be blessed with good quality fuels - where did you import your MGF from? Replacing the fuel filter is quick and easy, and should be part of a major service in any case.
The area I'd be most suspicious of would be the HT leads. On the early VVC, there are a pair of coils mounted on the rear of the block with a long run to the top of the cylinder heads. This can arc against the cylinder block - and would very often be very problematic in damp conditions. I'd replace the leads - I have Magnecore leads on my two MPi MGFs and they've never caused issues - and both sets of leads are now probably 25 years old now, so practically fire and forget.
Image from this thread: https://www.the-t-bar.com/forum/54-how- ... -leads-vvc
That leaves air. I'm sure you've checked the air filter and replaced as necessary. I'm guessing that there is no vacuum leak (would tend higher rpm, but also may cause over-fueling depending on where the leak is). I would not expect the idle air control valve to cause this problem - but a thorough inspection would never harm the cause!
Do let us know how you get on!
I am assuming that in your ownership, the MG previously ran and drove just fine and that the cam belts have all been replaced within the service schedule (generally around 5 years/60k miles).
Fortunately, I do not think that this is something to do with the VVC mechanism. Therefore, we need to get down to first principles of fuel, spark and air.
Good news is that it starts - so we know we have at least the fundamentals there. How fast does the engine run just prior to cutting out?
It sounds though you are suspecting fuel pressure/ delivery, which seems sensible. I guess you can hear the fuel pump running. Fuel pressure at the fuel rail should be 3 bar. If you have a way of measuring this, it would be good to confirm.
Fuel filters in the UK seem to last forever - we must be blessed with good quality fuels - where did you import your MGF from? Replacing the fuel filter is quick and easy, and should be part of a major service in any case.
The area I'd be most suspicious of would be the HT leads. On the early VVC, there are a pair of coils mounted on the rear of the block with a long run to the top of the cylinder heads. This can arc against the cylinder block - and would very often be very problematic in damp conditions. I'd replace the leads - I have Magnecore leads on my two MPi MGFs and they've never caused issues - and both sets of leads are now probably 25 years old now, so practically fire and forget.
Image from this thread: https://www.the-t-bar.com/forum/54-how- ... -leads-vvc
That leaves air. I'm sure you've checked the air filter and replaced as necessary. I'm guessing that there is no vacuum leak (would tend higher rpm, but also may cause over-fueling depending on where the leak is). I would not expect the idle air control valve to cause this problem - but a thorough inspection would never harm the cause!
Do let us know how you get on!
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talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: An issue with my early VVC
Hi and welcome to the forum.
When you start the car do you turn on the ignition and wait a few seconds for the auto choke to realign itself before turning the starter over?
Best advice is to wait a few seconds, especially with a cold engine. The fuel system on the early cars is using technology dating back to the 1980's.
Let us know what you find.
James
When you start the car do you turn on the ignition and wait a few seconds for the auto choke to realign itself before turning the starter over?
Best advice is to wait a few seconds, especially with a cold engine. The fuel system on the early cars is using technology dating back to the 1980's.
Let us know what you find.
James
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
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