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MG TD TF 1500 - A mysterious fault

Sunshine (surprise) in Oslo today, and since I have to drive my TD a little careful for 30 miles, before the workshop adjust everything after having replaced the pistons, I took a nice drive.
The engine runs very nicely. But another strange thing now:
When I stop at a red light in town, car in gear, clutch in, the rpm sinks quickly to 500 rpm, and the engine stalls. I tried the gear in neutral (free), but kept the clutched pushed in, same thing happened. However, when I let the clutch out while in neutral, the revs stayed nicely around 1000 rpm.
I always say that there is a little devil inside computers, and suddenly he will hit with something unexplainable. I wonder if he has moved to my MG.
Any ideas?
Raymond Wardenaer

That indicates a lot of pressure being applied via the throw-out bearing. Normally, it only causes a drop of about 100 rpm. Have you adjusted your clutch linkage as per Section E.1 of the Workshop Manual? Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Bud, thank you for your comment. I don't have Workshop Manual, but I shall order it now.
Raymond Wardenaer

Raymond, if you'll contact me off-forum at my email address shown above, we can speed up the process. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Might the clutch plate be in backward????
SPW
STEVE WINCZE

The other thing that can cause that symptom is excessive fore and aft movement of the crankshaft. If the thrust surfaces on the center main bearing are not thick enough, it will allow the crank shaft to move forward when the clutch is pressed in, causing binding on the rod bearings.

Unrelated, but still important, the clutch should not be held in when the car is stopped as it will cause excessive wear on the throw out bearing. It is best to shift into neutral and let the clutch out while sitting at a signal light or whenever sitting at rest with the engine running. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Raymond, go to http://www.ttalk.info/WSME4.pdf
I'm unsure of the symptoms with the problem that Steve has mentioned. It could be the cause, but I'm not sure if it'll release under those conditions. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Being a person that has installed a clutch plate backwards I am thinking the same as Steve.
Never did it in the MG ...but recalling the last time I did this ...is it noisey when engaged but out of gear? Been a while since I did this but as I recall mine was.

Am I wrong here:
Different allingment tool for different size clutch on these cars?
I think I have 2 for my car (TF) but one is for smaller clutch found on earlier TD's.
David Sheward

Dear friends,
if the clutch plate is in backwards, it must have been for many years! We have not touched the clutch, only put in new pistons.
Raymond Wardenaer

Bud,
when I got the car from England in fall 2009, I had this adjustment done. I am going to the workshop tomorrow and I shall ask hem to check this. I will also ask them to check all the wires in the engine room, and the mixture. And Bud, thank you for the drawing, I am taking that along tomorrow. I have a feeling they have done this hundreds of times before, but maybe they have to do it again :-)
Raymond Wardenaer

Raymond,

To add to David's comment regarding idling, when starting the car do not depress the clutch just make sure you are in neutral and then start. You will notice that the engine turns over easier under this condition.

Regards,
Jim
James Neel

James is right on that one...something you don't really notice with the small 1250....but you should hear the difference with the Wolseley 2.6.... something I didn't know until my mechanic heard me starting it and started yelling at me.....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Hi Raymond,
In the bottom of the pedal box is an adjustable peg to stop the clutch overthrowing.
After you have the correct adjustment on the rods make sure this is also adjusted.The book gives no setting for this,I normally set it at about 3 times the distance between clutch bite and full off.
On a related subject I have just solved a clutch problem that has had me guessing for months, my engine steady was cracked at the front edge(very difficult to see on a TF.
Ray
TF 2884
Ray Lee

And, it looks like:


Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Hi Bud,
I would have done that, but on RH drive cars I cant even see it, never mind photograph it!!!!.
At least I dont have the complicated pedal layout you have.
Ray
Ray Lee

Ray,

An interesting point. I noticed that peg when I was assembling the pedals but didn't know what it was for. I'm still not clear. How do you adjust it mine seemed to be locked solid if I remember rightly. Can't check right now that car's being painted.

AJ
A R Jones

Hi AJ
the stop is there just to stop the clutch over throwing and binding.
The nut underneath is slacked off and the peg slides in a slot.
Ray
TF 2884
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 26/07/2011 and 29/07/2011

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