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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - How loud should my transmission be?

Since I have only just started driving my midget after working on it since last fall I am still learning about the condition of it. Currently my carpets are out of the car and there is no boot over the shifter. Therefore I am expecting a lot of noise and heat.

However, the transmission makes a lot more noise than I expected. As I would expect first gear is the loudest (straight cut gears correct)? However, I hear a lot of whine in all gears.

I should say that the transmission is easy to shift and I have no reason to suspect that there is something wrong with it.

The only thing that I can think of is that I should change the fluid to prove that the correct grade was in there and then assume that the unexpected level of whine is due to lack of noise barrier.

Do these cars have a normally fairly noisy whiny transmission?

If so, I will change the fluid and not worry about it.

Rebecca

R Harvey

Transmission is noisier than a 'modern', esp 1st gear as you say straight-cut.

Reasons for noise: box and rear axle less insulated from the cabin; transmission less finely engineered compared with modern.

First thing as you say is to drain oil and refill: 20/50 engine oil for box; and EP90 for diff.

A
Anthony Cutler

Gearboxes usually don't make that much noise, except in 1st. More often the whine comes from the diff. Could run without troubles for years, if you can put up with it.

Put a 20W50 in it.
Alex G Matla

I think that the noise is the gearbox but perhaps it is really from the diff and the sound is coming up from the hole in the floor over the tranny. I will take another listen.

And of course, I will replace the oil for both.
Rebecca
R Harvey

just a note on the gearbox oil: some say that straight 30W oil is better than 20W-50 engine oil because the detergent in engine oil may foam up. I suppose that if it did happen there could be some reduction of lubrication in that case.

So, if you can find straight 30W, non-detergent oil, that is the "best".



Norm

Norm Kerr

Just a note here, Rebecca... did you specify what model of Midget you have? if it's a 1500, it will need 80/90 gear lube in the transmission, not 20/50.

Cheers,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

1973 with 1275. The manual says 20/50 for engine and tranny and 90 (EP I think).

Rebecca
R Harvey

changing/filling the transmission oil quieted down my original transmission noticeably. but it will always have a whine in first. I used 20/50 and had no trouble... it is also what the manual calls for as you noted above.
Chris Edwards

Having recent expeience of driving without the Support- Gear lever gaiter AHA9722 (see my other post) I can tell you the gearbox will seem a lot noiser

If you've not already done so I'd recommend fully draining and refilling the gearbox with new oil

You may also help to quieten things further by adding SLICK-50 / STP / Molyslip to the refill of the g/box (not for overdrive units)

I always recommend buying the owners Handbook (invaluable) as well as or instead of a Haynes - http://www9.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgocregalia&id=152611277474644&mode=item&itemid=0057&cat=Handbooks

and carrying out a full and proper 36,00 mile service if the car is new to you using the car regularly to iron out problems and for the driver to get used to the car

As part of the service and if you've not already done so I'd also recommend fully draining and refilling the back alxe, you can also refill with EPX 80w/90 and add SLICK-50 / STP / Molyslip to your refill (not in LSD units - limited slip diffs)

Oh and the transmissions were reported as being noisy even when brand new
Nigel Atkins

Oh and the transmissions were reported to be particularly noisy even when brand new in the early '60s when cars were noisy anyway
Nigel Atkins

Mh, obviously one gets used to noises 8^P
Alex G Matla

Lawn mover oil is usually a non detergent straight SAE 30 oil.
JEK Kristoffersen

This thread was discussed between 24/06/2010 and 25/06/2010

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