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MG MGF Technical - High pitched whine

My 1999 VVC has developed an irritating whine coming from somewhere behind the LH seat. What's worse, because it's a LHD car, that means behind MY seat :(

The noise appears when the engine is turned on and disappears as soon as the engine stops. It's not very loud, but is pitched at a ridiculously high frequency which seems specifically designed to provoke headaches.

A friend who had a 1998 1.8i said it was probably something to do with the fuel pump, but as neither he or I are mechanics we don't really have a clue.

Has anyone else had this problem? More importantly, does anyone know how to fix it?

Geoff

Geoff,

Has the noise coincided with a cambelt change at all...?

Could it be one of the VVC timing belts. A tight timing belt can make a chirping type of whistle.
tim woolcott

Timing belts give more noise on the right side of the car - but of course, sound can travel making it very hard to pin point, so certainly not something that can be readily ruled out.

If you are thinking that it is the fuel pump (your are thinking that the motor has run a bearing?) then you need to try and isolate the sound a little more and localise it.

Remove the sound deadening material over the engine bay, and remove the engine inspection panel.

As you look at the aperature, the fuel pump (and top of the fuel tank) is located under the circular inspection cover. See if the noise comes from there when you start the engine.

If not, then try and figure out where the noise is eminating from - should give you a much clearer idea as to what the problem is...
Rob Bell

If it's the fuel pump then you should get it for about 3 seconds after the ignition is turned on, but before you start the engine.

Will Munns

Hi Geoff,

I've have the same high-pitched noise from my MGF. I'm
not sure exactly whats causing the noise, but I ended up spraying some WD40 lubricator around the timing belt area which seemed to do the trick.

If you find a more permanent cure, please let me know.
Steve

This thread was discussed on 03/10/2003

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