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MG MGF Technical - Help! Engine problem?

Occassionally when in the first few minutes of driving, our MGF sort of 'judders' along, giving the embarrassing look of bunny-hopping (not good!).
Is this something common to the model? It does ease afetr a couple of minutes, and doesn't happen often.
Thanks!
Carlie

Maybe the clutch needs replacing. Mine used to do it when cold when pulling away in 1st gear. The fix was a new clutch but mine had done over 60000 miles of hard use including sprints & track days so was not surprised.

Tom
Tom Randell

just for interest, how long is the original clutch supposed to last?
Kingsley

Kingsley

There are many on the BBS with more F experience than you or me but, generally, clutch life is affected by driving habits.

Clutch slip when pulling away, riding the clutch at traffic holdups (lights etc not stockings) , regular city type driving, M25 etc.

Would expect a 'normally used' clutch to last 80 - 100000 miles but manufacturing variations can change this dramatically. Some could fail earlier and most would last longer.
JohnP

I'm currently at 149k miles on the original clutch! M25.

Ralph
Ralph

Sounds more like a misfire to me Carlie,

Have the plugs checked and regapped if necessary. Change the plug leads if they are several years old. If it's a 1.8mpi then check the distributor cap also. Does it happen mostly when it's wet? Yes? Then it is a sure sign of ignition problems.

good luck

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Ralph - 149k/M25 sounds pretty good to me. Do you actually stop on the M25 or do you lane filter like a bike?
JohnP

John, I do tend to spend quite a bit of time stationary or at <25MPH on the M25! Unfortunately the F is not quite narrow enough to be able to get between the lanes like a bike.

My 75 mile journey to work varies from 90 minutes to 180 minutes, though I have had it take over 6 hours once.

However, I digress from Carlie's original posting. The juddering might be caused by the old problem of the throttle body distorting.

Ralph
Ralph

My Stepspeed does this when cold at slow speeds, no backfires and goes as soon as has warmed up (2/3 mins), it is as if the throttle hesitates initially.
Nigel Kidd

Ralph,

Why do you do it?

Leigh
L Reid

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2002 and 31/08/2002

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