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MG MGB Technical - Naive novice question on servicing!

Some of you may have gleamed the opinion from some of my other posts I'm not entirely the professional when it comes to looking after my car!
I've replaced seals, fitted seatbelts, replaced rad hoses etc and last weekend embarked on a gearbox oil and engine oil change (yes, including filter OMG!) *and* sump gasket replacement!
(The latter was unsuccessful but never mind!).
I'm planning a service later this month and have seen a kit from the mgoc for 49 which seems to include everything I need, including air filters.
My question is, is there an online facility where I can learn what service parts I need, and perhaps buy them individually froma local store?
The 49.00 seems rather good to me but as I don't need oil or an oil filter wondered if I could perhaps save a little of a very small maintenance budget!
Many thanks,
Will
--
1971 B
Will Hay

The drivers handbook tells you what needs to be replaced/checked at each service interval, as does the Leyland Workshop Manual/Haynes
Paul Hunt

Check out www.mgbexperience.com There is a link there under DIY/Service titled: MGOC Basic Service Guide with 6 sections that is well organized and thorough.

John Bamford
J.T. Bamford

Will,

Get spark plugs - NGK BP6ES unless the old ones are fairly new and can be cleaned up

Get distributor contact points and condensor for your type of distributor - don't bother trying to clean old points and note that even new condensors can be faulty!

Get air filters unless the old ones are still really clean and yellow.

Get a fan belt if the old one shows any signs of fraying.

Check the state of the water hoses and get new ones and new clips.

Think about flushing the engine and radiator with a proprietory cleaner if the water is a muddy brown.

Otherwise top up the anitfreeeze mixture (keep antifreeze in all year round).

Servicing also means greasing the front suspension every 1000 miles - 3 nipples each side.

Don't forget to check gearbox oil ( same as engine) and rear axle oil (80/90 EP)

Also check brake linings for wear and cylinders for fluid leaks - top up brake and clutch master cylinders.

Check all light bulbs for correct operation, the hazard flashers and horn.

Check the wiper blades for wear or fraying.

Most of this stuff you can get from Halfords (except the rad hoses).

Check the car out one weekend - get all the bits you need during the week and service the car the next weekend.

Don't take anything apart before you have the replacement parts and check the new parts against the old before you come to fit them!

Chris Betson

Thanks guys, appreciate that.
Will
Will Hay

Will: Is the oil and filter the only thing you feel like you didnt need? If so just hang on to it for your next oil change.
william fox

I changed the oil and filter as
a) I have leak in the sump which I've made worse and
b) My journey's are becoming shorter and shorter and the mayo build-up (condensation) is getting worse.
I try to get out and give her a good run now and again but a new baby (well, just one year old last week!) limits my time!
I've only done 3000k in the year (a lot less than I planned, trust me!) so I'll check when the last owner had her serviced last.
Thanks,
Will
Will Hay

How far can you trust the PO? I have just drained the new looking oil out of the gearbox and refilled with Duckhams Q20W/50. A lot of the crunchy gear changes and slow cut in of the overdrive have now disappeared. I'm convinced he had had his local garage refill the gearbox with gear oil. I hope too much damage has not been done in the 3-400 miles with the wrong oil.
I'm currently working down the list with even more vigilance.
Colin
C Atherton

"note that even new condensors can be faulty"

Hunt's Fifth Law: Many break-downs occur soon after a car has been worked on; 'new' parts can be faulty when you receive them; 'new' parts will sometimes fail soon after fitting; 'new' parts almost certainly won't last as long as the originals.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 05/03/2003 and 07/03/2003

MG MGB Technical index

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