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MG TD TF 1500 - gearbox drain plug - circlip?

I'm replacing the copper washer at my gearbox drain plug and noticed a wire "circlip" around the base of the threads where they meet the flange of the plug cap.

This part is not shown in the Workshop Manual or the Moss parts catalog.

Does anyone know what this is for or if it needs to be there?

The only thing in can figure is that it might help center the copper washer on the threads, as there is quite a bit of slop in the fit.

The new copper washer I got from Moss does have a recess on one side and it fits nicely over the circlip. However, it seems this would prevent the two layers of the copper washer from crushing down to make a seal.

Any thoughts?

Bryan
52 TD Mk II
B Sieling

I have never seen a circlip on the gearbox drain plug. The gasket fits loosly but it has always sealed.
Jim Merz

I have a spare gearbox and found that the drain plug on it has an identical ring clip (circlip probably isn't the correct term). The fact that both have the ring suggests it was an original part.
B Sieling

Sounds like something that is very easy to lose and maybe most of us have.
Anyone have any pictures of the ring that we can use as a model?
Jim Merz

Sounds like a torn piece of copper gasket to me.

dave
Dave Braun

The two rings I have are absolutely identical - so it looks like its a real part. I can take a picture of it but not sure how/where to post it.
B Sieling

Brian, send it to me and I'll post it on Ttalk in the
http://www.ttalk.info/picture_this.htm section. Send to budkrueger at comcast dot net.
Bud Krueger

Brian,

I seem to remember the ring on my drain plug and/or cap. I would go check, but I just changed the gearbox oil last fall....

Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

I'm thinking maybe the purpose of the ring is to keep the copper washer from falling off the plug-- maybe a convenience thing between oil changes? I say that because it takes some effort to get the washer off with the ring in place. Otherwise it just falls off.

I sent a picture to Bud Krueger for posting on T-Talk.
B Sieling

Check http://www.ttalk.info/picture_this.htm for the newest entry. Bruce is right. I've spent the past day disassembling the gearbox of 'the53' and guess what I found -- a copper split ring under the copper washer. It looks as if the o.d. of the split ring is just about the same size as the i.d. of the sealing washer. It's not something that one would normallt notice. How often do you look at the threads on your gearbox drain plug?
Bud Krueger

Have one on my 50. Could it be to better compress the washer ?

Bruce C.
BEC Cunha

There is no evidence of that circlip in the parts book. Regards, Richard
R Payne

Reactivating Oct 6, 2018 Bud
Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed between 25/03/2007 and 06/10/2018

MG TD TF 1500 index

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