MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[AndyM]

It has to be more serious doesn't it, because some owners have reported that the overfill correction has been done, but then the leak has returned.

For some balance mine has been refilled and hasn’t leaked again after c. 60 miles. I will be doing a longer drive on Sunday to test some more.

 

[siteguru]

Was it Tuesday that @Miles Roberts CG mentioned MG were looking into this, and that feedback should arrive in 2-4 days? That means today at the earliest, but more likely Monday before anything can be shared with the forum.

 

[Deleted member 9692]

For some balance mine has been refilled and hasn’t leaked again after c. 60 miles. I will be doing a longer drive on Sunday to test some more.

Andy, my concern, and I don’t have any proof mind, is that some dealers have refilled with a much lower amount of oil and this could be masking problems. If this has happened, you may have no oil leak but you may also have insufficient oil in the gearbox. This is pure speculation based on me being a cynic ?

 

[4ND]

There might be something to be said for cars rushed out without a proper PDI. The issue of the loose undertray my dealer said would not have happened with them, as they say as part of their PDI they put the car up and have a look underneath, which sounds sensible.

True, but the oil leak typically only manifests itself after the car's been used a bit. I doubt 3-4-5 delivery miles would show it up.

 

[AndyM]

Andy, my concern, and I don’t have any proof mind, is that some dealers have refilled with a much lower amount of oil and this could be masking problems. If this has happened, you may have no oil leak but you may also have insufficient oil in the gearbox. This is pure speculation based on me being a cynic ?

Yes my cynical side has also considered the same. I'm not a mechanic though so can't do anything but take the word of the manufacturer at this point. What's the latest on yours?

 

[Deleted member 9692]

Yes my cynical side has also considered the same. I'm not a mechanic though so can't do anything but take the word of the manufacturer at this point. What's the latest on yours?

As @siteguru said above, waiting for communication from MG which should be today or Monday based on the timeline they set. My dealer emails me at least once daily and I’ll post here as soon as I hear anything

 

[4ND]

Good luck to everyone on this headache and I'm sure it'll all be resolved soon.

 

[Deleted member 9909]

Our EU spokesperson stated

Before brexit EU oil was clearer and free movement between components was easier with no issues and this still continues abroad. Maybe too easy with some still allowed to slip out with no checks in Europe
Since brexit UK oil has become more hazy with no clear way of allowing proper movement without numerous checks being carried out according to officials. Some are managing to bypass our tight seals without proper checks.

Our Home Secretary has asked for stricter checks to be carried out to drive the numbers down and for officials to clean up their act...sorry I meant their driveways

Back to the studio

Alain

 

[4ND]

Our Home Secretary has asked for stricter checks to be carried out

She left yesterday

If the Brexit's fault don't fly, there's always the other gems, such as 'because of Covid', or the latest trendy one 'because of the war in Ukraine'

 

[Taq]

Has there been any analysis made as to whether this issue only affects the LR models, or is the SR model also affected? (Different motors between SR and LR - don't know if the reduction gearbox is the same).

I asked similar question a while ago and got no traction on it, I started a poll on it in one of the FB groups to try and look for similarities, this seems to have been removed, may as well banging your head against a wall sometimes.

 

[siteguru]

I've created a poll here to ask this specific question:

MG4 "Oil" Leak Poll Part 2

This poll is specifically for people who own an MG4 and have encountered the oil leak. The purpose is to try to understand whether the issue is motor-variant-specific. (Hence why the choices are SR and LR ... the Trophy comes under LR). Please only vote if you have checked and actually suffer...

www.mgevs.com

 

[beefyj]

I asked similar question a while ago and got no traction on it, I started a poll on it in one of the FB groups to try and look for similarities, this seems to have been removed, may as well banging your head against a wall sometimes.

I love how the Fan Book groups are moderated by people that haven’t even got an MG4 and they feel as if they hold some moral and knowing superiority in their sun drenched nirvana…….it’ll all be good when (if) they get theirs…….but see any criticism as a slight on their ability to procreate, rather than it expediting good data to improve things for everyone.
Rant over…..for now.

 

[benfello]

Agree. I’ll bet £1.50 that MG say breather pipe is faulty and replacement needed. I also have a feeling that we will be waiting weeks for replacement. If I’m wrong I’ll lick the oil off my own driveway.

If it came to it... I beg you to do it live on the podcast

 

[Ian Key]

Agree. I’ll bet £1.50 that MG say breather pipe is faulty and replacement needed. I also have a feeling that we will be waiting weeks for replacement. If I’m wrong I’ll lick the oil off my own driveway.

I'm leaning towards a faulty breather pipe too. Either it's blocked or if there is a valve in it has it become stuck as some tyre pressure sensors have.

 

[tsedge]

It has to be more serious doesn't it, because some owners have reported that the overfill correction has been done, but then the leak has returned.

There is probably more than one issue at play, so overfill may work for some and not others.

 

[tsedge]

This is why I’m struggling to understand why MG have not been in touch with all new owners urgently. I’m being told I can’t drive my car due to the potential damage this could cause. You and I know there are many more out there blissfully unaware, for now……

Dealers are saying don’t drive it but it isn’t clear to me that MG are saying this (have seen opposite). Be great if they made it clear whether or not it is a major issue, could easily not be for many cases. I think there is more than one issue at play though due to refilling not fixing some.

 

[tsedge]

There might be something to be said for cars rushed out without a proper PDI. The issue of the loose undertray my dealer said would not have happened with them, as they say as part of their PDI they put the car up and have a look underneath, which sounds sensible.

I expect it varies dealer to dealer depending on their diligence and time pressures and the experience of the technician. Everything is new at the moment, they are learning with the owners (which is not great).

 

[colsky]

I expect it varies dealer to dealer depending on their diligence and time pressures and the experience of the technician. Everything is new at the moment, they are learning with the owners (which is not great).

I agree, but wouldn't all dealers put the car up and look underneath as part of the PDI, in case something looks loose or hanging off!

 

[4ND]

I agree, but wouldn't all dealers put the car up and look underneath as part of the PDI, in case something looks loose or hanging off!

As well as experience, there's also something called skill and work ethic.

 

[tsedge]

I agree, but wouldn't all dealers put the car up and look underneath as part of the PDI, in case something looks loose or hanging off!

You’d hope so but I bet some cars go out with ticks in the boxes rather than actual checks. I have certainly had that experience with other makes.