MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[AndyL61]

Refer post #1215...I think MG have their head in the sand and do not really know the cause of the oil leak and are just throwing out various possible causes hoping the problem goes away or owners will just give up and put up with the issue.
Some prospective buyers are cancelling their orders on this forum alone so it is obvious others outside the forum would be doing the same and you would think this would be a concern for MG.
Perhaps they don't care as they can easily unload returned cars due to the current waiting list and the supply issue may continue for some time as with many other new vehicles.

The cause of the oil leak is obvious. The oil is being thrown directly at the breather to such an extent that it is leaking out of the breather. The best solution is a redesign but that is expensive so they have made a breather that will contain a small amount of oil then allow it to flow back into the gearbox casing when stopped. Reducing the amount of oil will reduce the oil fling but will not prevent oil eventually leaking from the original breather. There comes a point where with the oil reduced enough that it will not leak but this is not good for lubrication. So the modified breather really needs fitting to all gearboxes as they could all suffer the leak. A redesign may eventually be done but not untill they have used all current stock which could be months. So untill this happens or the modified breather is fitted to all current gearboxes then the leak will keep appearing. Most leaks have yet to be seen / reported.

 

[wiz043]

The cause of the oil leak is obvious. The oil is being thrown directly at the breather to such an extent that it is leaking out of the breather. The best solution is a redesign but that is expensive so they have made a breather that will contain a small amount of oil then allow it to flow back into the gearbox casing when stopped. Reducing the amount of oil will reduce the oil fling but will not prevent oil eventually leaking from the original breather. There comes a point where with the oil reduced enough that it will not leak but this is not good for lubrication. So the modified breather really needs fitting to all gearboxes as they could all suffer the leak. A redesign may eventually be done but not untill they have used all current stock which could be months. So untill this happens or the modified breather is fitted to all current gearboxes then the leak will keep appearing. Most leaks have yet to be seen / reported.

Yes I have seen that 'solution' along with others involving draining and refilling the oil to different levels.
In other words they are offering a bandaid solution because the eventual proper fix is too expensive and they are hoping the problem just goes away...
Perhaps this is one of the reasons the MG4 is not that popular in China compared to other EV'S.

 

[LeeEv]

Of course, very very low expectation of seeing anything; wouldn't send me a video with a huge oil smear / stain. This a case of course of demonstrating and communicating to the dealer "I'm on their case" with this on the back of my previous email conversations over the past 2-3 weeks about the oil leak issue.

As for keeping a close eye; Hell yeah, will I be ?

Update:
Hello All, picked up today. No surprises or nasties when running through the collection checklist shared by the forum (thanks again for sharing) - will be vigilant and eagle eyed in the coming few days of course.

Salesman had 4 other handovers today, 2 of which I think he said were MG4's.

Less than 10 miles home from dealer so going to get a few more miles clocked up before err my knees start getting dirty and damp each day ??

(had a 'mare getting iSmart set up, think I cracked it... will see if connection stays / remains stable in time to come)

 

[Hallix73]

Yes I have seen that 'solution' along with others involving draining and refilling the oil to different levels.
In other words they are offering a bandaid solution because the eventual proper fix is too expensive and they are hoping the problem just goes away...
Perhaps this is one of the reasons the MG4 is not that popular in China compared to other EV'S.

Hi, when you expecting your new MG4? If later in the year or 2023 I would think yours will be fine..

 

[AndyL61]

Hi, when you expecting your new MG4? If later in the year or 2023 I would think yours will be fine..

I agree, hoping mine gets delayed long enough for MG to do the decent thing and fit the new breather before collection rather than their see if it leaks first approach. I think that the actual numbers are much higher but most people will not check under their brand new car for an oil leak , but if the numbers go up as more people are aware then perhaps MG might just finally do the right thing and proactively fit the new breathers to all cars.

 

[wiz043]

Hi, when you expecting your new MG4? If later in the year or 2023 I would think yours will be fine..

They are supposed to be arriving in Australia in the first or second quarter of 2023 so I haven't even seen one, let alone order one yet.
We have had the MG ZS EV here for some time so perhaps I can get some idea of the MG build quality by checking them out.
Hopefully MG4 issues will be sorted over the next few months but I will be keeping a close eye on this forum and if there is still uncertainty about the 'fix' I will look elsewhere as there are plenty of other reasonably priced Chinese EV's arriving here about the same time from BYD in particular.

 

[Steve Chope]

I quite agree with the person who said he would be asking his garage to fit the new breather regardless of whether it leaked or not. No one wants an oily driveway. I have already posted information from the email below from MG UK on this website but have now decided to publish it in full for the benefit of owners and potential owners. It would seem, unless they are telling porkies, that technicians have investigated and decided that the problem is the breather pipe and that all cars currently on the road will be fitted with the modified pipe. They also state that all cars due to leave the factory will have the issue of the breather pipe rectified.
This being the case then, in my view, everybody has a right (leak present or not) to have the new breather pipe fitted. I will certainly be asking for this to be done on my order due in February if it has not already been done at the factory.

Email from MG UK

Good morning Mr Chope,

Thank you for your further correspondence and I hope that you are keeping well.

Following thorough investigation by our Technical and Engineering team in both the UK and China, the results of this concern with the MG4 are that oil is being ejected through the breather pipe which is presenting itself as an oil leak. Therefore, a modified breather pipe is currently in the process of being supplied to the repair network to rectify the issue.
Rest assured, the issue does not leave the vehicle undriveable and does not impact the performance or functionality of the vehicle.
Once the part is available in the next few weeks, dealerships will be able to carry out the necessary repair for those cars that are already on the road.

MG's that are yet to be built at the factory in China will have the issue with the breather pipe rectified before they are placed on a ship.
Any vehicles that have already left the factory that present this concern will need rectification at an MG dealership once the vehicle arrives and the part is available.

I hope that this provides some reassurance and I thank you again for your email.

Kindest of regards,

Ella

 

[wiz043]

That is encouraging but time will tell I suppose.

 

[Alb]

I'd only be encouraged when every dealer was singing the same story.

 

[Ian Key]

I'd only be encouraged when every dealer was singing the same story.

I agree. MG should be sending the same information to the dealers but it depends on what the head office does with it, how long until it's distributed to the depots, is it just posted on the notice board and lost amongst all the other guff, do the salesmen actually read the notices everyday, etc. etc.

 

[AdeMcG]

I agree. MG should be sending the same information to the dealers but it depends on what the head office does with it, how long until it's distributed to the depots, is it just posted on the notice board and lost amongst all the other guff, do the salesmen actually read the notices everyday, etc. etc.

Perhaps we can have a Dealership Feedback only Section where things like this can be pinned ?

 

[AndyL61]

Perhaps we can have a Dealership Feedback only Section where things like this can be pinned ?

Some dealers are apparently still denying the existance of an oil leak. So would you actually get anything useful.

 

[siteguru]

Perhaps we can have a Dealership Feedback only Section where things like this can be pinned ?

We already do

UK MG Dealer Discussions

Talk about your experiences of UK based MG dealers

www.mgevs.com

 

[Deleted member 10041]

I agree. MG should be sending the same information to the dealers but it depends on what the head office does with it, how long until it's distributed to the depots, is it just posted on the notice board and lost amongst all the other guff, do the salesmen actually read the notices everyday, etc. etc.

Totally agree re the sales people, I don't mind the guy I'm dealing with at Perth MG (nice guy) but at the end of the day they only care about sales.
As I said in another thread I was in seeing a trophy for the first time yesterday, he was telling me how good their PDI's were and how they hadn't had any oil leaks or bulging trays, I had taken a look at both the cars they had and they both had them!! First time Ive seen a used car salesman lost for words.
Do feel sorry to a point as I think we, on this forum, know more about fixes than they do. He knew nothing about the sensor being removed etc.
It's either that or like you said they don't bother reading the updates on the products they are selling, either way it's poor

 

[tsedge]

Totally agree re the sales people, I don't mind the guy I'm dealing with at Perth MG (nice guy) but at the end of the day they only care about sales.
As I said in another thread I was in seeing a trophy for the first time yesterday, he was telling me how good their PDI's were and how they hadn't had any oil leaks or bulging trays, I had taken a look at both the cars they had and they both had them!! First time Ive seen a used car salesman lost for words.
Do feel sorry to a point as I think we, on this forum, know more about fixes than they do. He knew nothing about the sensor being removed etc.
It's either that or like you said they don't bother reading the updates on the products they are selling, either way it's poor

It is how the system is set up. Sales people are paid only for the sales they make, not for the long term satisfaction of the customer. Service is separate and its own profit centre. MG again are separate from the dealers with their own margins.

The direct sales model that Tesla and some others use is better for this because you are only dealing with one party, not 3, but the downside is no local dealers and capacity-limited service centres a long way away.

 

[BugEyed]

The direct sales model that Tesla and some others use is better for this because you are only dealing with one party, not 3, but the downside is no local dealers and capacity-limited service centres a long way away.

... and Rangers who come to you for most tasks. Don't forget that Tesla only require brake inspections every two years, so servicing is minimal and most tasks can be achieved by the Rangers.

 

[AndyL61]

... and Rangers who come to you for most tasks. Don't forget that Tesla only require brake inspections every two years, so servicing is minimal and most tasks can be achieved by the Rangers.

As they are dealing with cars powered by electricity are they Power Rangers ?

 

[Deleted member 9909]

As they are dealing with cars powered by electricity are they Power Rangers ?

Shut the door behind you please...

 

[Paulie68]

... and Rangers who come to you for most tasks. Don't forget that Tesla only require brake inspections every two years, so servicing is minimal and most tasks can be achieved by the Rangers.

Tesla actually recommend caliper servicing annually where salt is used on the roads in winter. Strip down and grease the slide pins and check where the pads seat for sticking, as the calipers are alloy and get minimal use due to regen, so can be prone to issues. It's not mandatory though.

Both Tesla service centres and rangers are a mixed bag, some are great, some terrible. Leeds service centre were 2 for 2 with my warranty visits, with regard to managing to damage my last car whilst in for warranty work! They put the damage right, but it was more unnecessary hassle due to careless practices.

 

[bowfer]

Has anyone been given a timeframe for oil leak fixes?
Rear of my car covered in oil and fair size pool of it on my drive.
I’ve only had the car since 5/11 and have this plus vibration/rumbling.
Without any clear timeframe to repair I’m seriously considering rejection while it would (should) be easy.