Longton Mechanic: Mg Brake Servicing

Mg Master Cylinder & Slave cylinders: Mg hydraulic brakes rely on a piston to translate movement on the brake pedal or actuator to transfer stopping power to the disc brakes; the brake fluid needs to be replaced regularly along with the Mg brake pads

When pads are not used gently at first to bed in, or after aggressive driving where the discs glow hot; the uneven transfer of material from Mg brake pad to disc can cause variations in Mg disc thickness that can cause vibration during braking that is sometimes mistaken for warped discs

Mg brake discs convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle into heat as speed is reduced; if the brakes are applied often with aggressive driving or due to the momentum of a long hill descent then it is possible for the disc rotors to glow red hot and an uneven build up of friction material can be deposited on the disc surface from the pad

Need new Mg brake pads or discs?
Use our form to get your brakes inspected and fit replacement Mg brake parts

Mg pads are made from a high friction compound that leaves a film of material on the disc rotor surface to effectively increase the stopping force that can be applied to the vehicle

Mg brake pads are designed be replaced regularly and wear faster than the disc or rotor

Mg Brake Repairs Longton

We can help source most Mg brake parts for local fitting

Mg EGR Valves
Replacement Mg EGR valves - ensure the exhaust gas recirculation system is functioning correctly on your Mg - The EGR valve helps your Mg burn fuel more efficiently by recirculating a portion the exhaust gas through combustion chamber and helps reduce Mg engine emissions; a broke or sticking EGR valve can be the cause of an MOT failure due to excessive emissions

Mg Performance Spares
OEM Mg parts fitted or replaced with alternative performance parts

Mg Clutches
Mg clutch repairs Longton - Checking for leaks and repairing-replacing the clutch master-slave cylinder and fitting a new Mg Clutch kit

Mg Alternators
Replacement Mg alternators fitted

Mg Engines
Mg Engine repairs, cylinder head skimming, valves & pistons

Mg Exhausts
Mg Engine manifolds, Front box, Back box, catalytic converter and exhaust pipes for Mg Exhausts fitted & welded

Mg Paint Resprays
Paint resprays for minor scratch damage to the Mg paint surface or coating; Custom paintwork to make your Mg different using metallic paints, pearlescent pigments or company colours.

Mg Timing Belt - Mg Cambelt
Mg Timing Belts replaced as part of a planned Mg service or if the Timing Belt on your Mg has snapped then a full engine inspection for valve & piston damage

Mg Brakes
Routine Mg servicing, replacement Mg brake pads & discs fitted, Mg hydraulic pipework and joints inspected, repaired or replaced for a complete braking system overhaul

Mg Starter Motors
Replacement Mg Starter motors installed

Mg Electrical Components
Mg electrical faults repaired using Mg OEM components - Mg sensors checked e.g. Lambda sensors, air flow meters etc

Mg Cooling System
Replacement Mg radiators fitted, cooling system pipework inspected for leaks and cooling fluid replaced to keep your Mg engine at its optimal operating temperature

Mg Tyres
Steel wheels, alloy wheels and tyres repaired and replaced with cheap tyres, run-flat tyres or low profile & performance tyres depending upon your budget and driving requirements. Part-Worn tyres may be available for your Mg model

Mg Body Panels
Replacement Mg panels fitted & sprayed to match - Light Mg Panel damage repairs

Mg Fuel Pumps
Often replaced at a milestone service if the fuel pump is operated by the Timing belt

Mg Gearboxes
Mg Manual & Automatic gearbox servicing & repair - Fitting a new or reconditioned Mg gearbox

Mg Suspension System
Mg replacement shock absorbers & springs fitted for front or rear suspension problems, broken springs. Custom suspension systems installed, lowering springs fitted

Mg Oil Change & Filters Replaced
Mg Air filters, pollen filters; oil filter & fuel filter replaced, engine oil changed - Multigrade or Synthetic oils

Mg Autoelectrics
Mg electrical faults diagnosed - OBD fault finding - Mg engine fault codes checked & service lights reset - ECU problems, key coding and CANBUS systems checked

Mg Garage Services - Mg Hydraulic Braking System Servicing and Repair

Braking increases hydraulic brake fluid pressure

The enforced contact between the brake pads and brake drum or brake disc increases friction to slow down or stop the vehicle

The brake pedal controls the Master Cylinder (a fluid filled hydraulic piston) that transfers stopping power to the brakes

The hydraulic brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid so braking pressure is transferred via the brake pipes to the wheels and operates a slave cylinder piston that forces the brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc

Modern Mg braking systems use hydraulic links to transfer stopping power

Mg brakes can last for thousand of miles depending on use and regular service

Mg Hydraulic Disc Brake and Drum Brake Systems

Mg disc brakes have a pair of high friction brake pads mounted either side of a brake disc

Drum Brakes are an older system than Mg disc brakes and use two half moon shaped brake shoes that move outwards during use to apply a frictional stopping force against the inside of a brake drum

In hydraulic braking systems, braking pressure operates a slave cylinder

Drum Brakes, if fitted, are usually found on Mg rear wheels

Hydraulic braking pressure forces a brake calliper to press the brake pads against the disc to apply the necessary stopping force

Mg Brake Servicing - Mg Brake Discs and Pads

Mg Brakes will safely function correctly without the need for replacement for many thousands of miles

if the Mg brakes overheat and are allowed to cool with pressure still applied for m the brake pads/shoes then it is possible for the disc to warp.

If the Mg brake discs warp then they should be replaced immediately

Mg brake discs will wear and need replacing eventually and should be inspected for pitting

The brake pads on your Mg should wear first

Mg Brake Inspection Elements

Correct brake pad movement and level of wear

General brake disc condition

Clean and remove brake dust and loose corrosion and dirt from drums

Lubricate Hand Brake Linkages

Wheel cylinder condition

Brake calliper operation

Brake drum condition

Top Up Brake and Clutch Fluid Levels or

Replace Brake Fluid if necessary

Adjust handbrake

Brake pipe Condition

Hydraulic brake pipe fittings and joints for corrosion and leaking

Auxiliary handbrake shoes where appropriate

And carry out the following maintenance of your Mg braking system:-

Handbrake function and travel

Hand brake linkage condition

ABS warning light operation

Mg Steering - Steering System Inspection

One of the first signs of a potential problem with your Mg steering system is uneven tyre wear

The tyres will need to be replaced much sooner than necessary until the steering rack is adjusted to bring your wheels into correct alignment

Common symptoms of Mg steering alignment problems include:-
Vehicle Drift - Your Mg tends to pull left or right when travelling in a straight line
Modern Power steering and Drive by Wire Systems do not have the same mechanical linkages between the steering column and drive wheels making it difficult to 'feel' how the steering is performing.

The tyre tread is rapidly removed from the inner or outer tyre edge of your front tyres

Mg steering inspections:-

Tyre Condition - inc Spare

Correct wheel nut torque to manufacturer's recommendations

Mg Tyre wear and wheel alignment

Steering Rack Gaiter condition

Wheel Bearings for wear - play or noise

Correct Tyre Pressure - inc Spare

Power Steering Reservoir Levels and Top Up

Correct wheel balance, including spare

Steering Condition

Steering Linkages for wear and corrosion

Mg Services: Brakes Servicing and Repair

Braking increases hydraulic brake fluid pressure.

Modern braking systems use hydraulic links to transfer stopping power.

Brakes can last for thousand of miles depending on use and regular service.

The hydraulic brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid so braking pressure is transferred via the brake pipes to the wheels and operates a slave cylinder piston that forces the brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc.

The enforced contact between the brake pads and brake drum or brake disc increases friction to slow down or stop the vehicle.

The brake pedal is attached the Master Cylinder; a fluid filled hydraulic piston.

Mg Timing Belt or Cambelt

Often it is prudent to replace a combination of items associated with the timing system. Most of the needed Mg parts can be obtained as timing kits containing the appropriate timing components; such as: Mg timing belt
timing belt tensioners
timing belt tensioner idler roller
front lower crank shaft seal
water pump gasket

High compression diesel engines are normally interference engines

Since Mg Timing Belts are hidden inside the engine they tend to be forgotten when purchasing a used Mg

The toothed belt connecting the engine crankshaft to the camshaft is known as the Cambelt or Timing belt

If the timing belt snaps it will most probably cause serious engine damage. The camshaft stops turning with some of the valves left in the open position. In a Free Running Engine there is enough clearance between a fully open valve and the piston head to avoid serious damage. In an Interference Engine there is no clearance and the engine relies upon accurate timing to keep the valves and piston head separated. With a broken timing belt; the inertia helps the crankshaft to rotate freely forcing the pistons to strike the open valves resulting in damaged valves, pistons, and possibly even damage to the cylinder head

Generally Mg belts should be replaced every 60,000 miles or less. So, if you have just bought a secondhand Mg that has 40,000 to 80,000 miles then it is important to know if the timing belt has been replaced or needs replacing. Check the Mg Owner's manual for your model for the recommended changing frequency

Timing belts must be replaced at a specified manufacturer's interval. The timing belt should also be inspected regularly and replaced immediately if there is any evidence of cracking or fraying cuts or excessive wear

The Timing Belt synchronizes the camshaft to the crankshaft position ensuring the valves open and close at the correct time in relation to the piston. Some vehicles use a cam chain in place of the belt or a timing gear system instead

Longton Replacement Mg Clutch

The pressure plate comprises heavy-duty release springs, a metal pressure ring acting as a high friction surface to interact with the clutch disc, a thrust ring (or thrust fingers) for the release bearing, and release levers

Mg Clutch failure often occurs when one or more of the high friction surface materials wears out on the disc. Even when the pressure plate is engaged and a clamping force is applied, there is no longer sufficient friction to transmit power without the clutch slipping. Normally the Mg clutch disc and pressure plate are replaced. Replacing the Mg Clutch is a major operation and it is sometimes advisable to replace a number of items, often supplied as a Mg Clutch kit:-
Mg clutch disc
pressure plate
release bearing
pilot bearing - bushing (when required)
internal Mg clutch slave cylinder

Engaging the clutch forces the clutch against the flywheel transmitting power from the crankshaft to the transmission shaft

When the clutch is dis-engaged the clamping force is removed so the clutch disc spins with the flywheel and no power is transmitted

The Mg clutch disc is, not surprisingly, a disc with each side covered in a high friction material. It is designed to engage with the high-friction surfaces of the pressure plate and flywheel. It is also designed to transmit power to theMg transmission system

The centre of the clutch disc has a spline pattern that matches splines on the power input shaft of the transmission system

Disengaging the clutch acts on heavy-duty release springs to isolate the pressure plate so that the disc is no longer pressed against the flywheel

Mg Fuel Injectors - Fuel Injection

EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection
The Mg fuel injection system is controlled by a mini-computer or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that assimilates data from a series of temperature sensors and oxygen or lambda sensors providing feedback to help optimise fuel efficiency and power under a variety of conditions

Mg Engine Mapping
The Mg ECU controlling engine performance is pre-programmed with software containing embedded data on engine performance for different combinations of engine speed and acceleration

Mg Fuel Injection
Fuel injection systems mix fuel with just the right amount of air for optimal combustion & energy release in an internal combustion engine

Mg Re-Mapping Longton
The Mg ECU can be replaced with a programmable ECU or re-mapped to electronically alter the engine performance characteristics

LPG Petrol or Diesel Metering
Fuel Injection systems have replaced carburetors for the accurate mixing and delivering of petrol, lpg or diesel fuel in modern Mg vehicles

Mg Maintenance - Oil & Filter Change Longton

Anti Oxidants
Preventing internal engine oxidation in your Mg motor is the job of sacrificial anti-oxidants present in the lubricating oil; Anti oxidants are sacrificed to protect your engine and will eventually be depleted making it necessary to change your oil regularly

Oil Composition
Engine Lubricating Oil is composed of hundreds of chemicals; some can interact chemically, polymerise, oxidise and break down with the extreme conditions of temperature & shear forces pulling the oil molecules apart in your Mg engine thus, changing the lubrication properties.

Oil Change Frequency
The mechanics rule of thumb with traditional multigrade engine oils used to be "change the oil every 3000 miles" but many vehicle manufacturers indicate 5000 to 7000 miles. Initially, follow the Mg recommended oil change guidelines to ensure you validate your warranty.

Oil & Filter Change
A new Mg oil filter and oil change shouldn't need a specialist Mg engineer and is minimal compared to the cost of an Engine Rebuild; with regular maintenance and routine servicing working out cheaper than disaster recover when your Mg engine fails

Synthetic Oil Change - Longton
Modern synthetic oils can last longer than old petroleum based multigrades because they are more inert with a laboratory designed molecular structure and fewer natural catalytic impurities that increase oil breakdown compared to the cheaper engine oils

Moisture Scavengers - Detergents - Acidity Regulators
Moisture scavengers, detergents and acidity regulators prevent all kinds of contaminants degrading and abrading the internal moving surfaces of your Mg engine minimising the effects that water, particles, and fuel combustion residus can have on Mg performance
Once they have absorbed the maximum amount of water and other contaminants; the risk of corrosion and failure in your in your Mg engine increases

Oil Change Masterclass
Keep a small amount of the engine oil used in your next oil change in a sealed container; then when you check your oil level with the dipstick you can compare the lubricity or lubricating properties of the oil against your fresh oil:- If the oil on the dipstick seems thin compared to your reference oil sample; it may be time to get an oil change to keep your Mg running smoothly

Mg Replacement Exhausts Longton

Corroded exhaust pipes allow fumes and noise to escape; increasing the risk of poisonous carbon monoxide entering the cabin and significantly increasing noise making detection an easy task

The Mg exhaust system allows poisonous gases from the fuel combustionto vent into the atmoshpere away from the driver and cabin

Explosions from the instantaneous ignition of the compressed fuel and air igniting in the combustion chamber creat a lot of noise that needs to be silenced in the urban environment

The exhaust pipework helps muffle and deaden the noise from the fuel combustion process