MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[tsedge]

As others have experienced, my car came with the lower oil level and still developed the leak.

I gathered that the wrong oil level was put in originally, so I think the lower level was partly about correcting that and MG thought that might also fix the leak, but it didn’t.

 

[Jester27]

As was mentioned a couple of pages back, it sounds as though there's a lack of thread sealant on the original breather which could well be a simpler fix than a whole new breather, if that is indeed the issue

Would be interesting for someone to try a thread fix by sealing properly and see if that’s the actual issue

 

[colsky]

Would be interesting for someone to try a thread fix by sealing properly and see if that’s the actual issue

This thread has been going for 68 pages now, but no sign of it being sealed quite yet!

 

[Kithmo]

As was mentioned a couple of pages back, it sounds as though there's a lack of thread sealant on the original breather which could well be a simpler fix than a whole new breather, if that is indeed the issue

Or it may just need tightening up a little ?

 

[BugEyed]

As was mentioned a couple of pages back, it sounds as though there's a lack of thread sealant on the original breather which could well be a simpler fix than a whole new breather, if that is indeed the issue

It's a big IF. The amount of oil exiting mine and some other cars is more than would wick up an unsealed thread from a non-pressurised source - the breather would have to be loose which I find unbelievable. I find it hard to believe that MG would get to the point of the complicated fix shown above without checking something so obvious.

 

[AndyL61]

As was mentioned a couple of pages back, it sounds as though there's a lack of thread sealant on the original breather which could well be a simpler fix than a whole new breather, if that is indeed the issue

I think that this was an isolated incident rather than the norm. They wouldn't go to the trouble of designing and making a modified breather if the oil was not escaping through the breather.

 

[Rip Van]

As was mentioned a couple of pages back, it sounds as though there's a lack of thread sealant on the original breather which could well be a simpler fix than a whole new breather, if that is indeed the issue

I think a lack of thread sealant is a bit of a red herring. They would have to be pretty low rent threads for oil to get through if they were torqued to spec?

 

[OJEastwood]

I think that this was an isolated incident rather than the norm. They wouldn't go to the trouble of designing and making a modified breather if the oil was not escaping through the breather.

I think a lack of thread sealant is a bit of a red herring. They would have to be pretty low rent threads for oil to get through if they were torqued to spec?

Valid points, both! I was just musing what else had been found. The plus point is the lack of sealant in this case would have made fitting the new breather a tad easier

 

[vini]

not got car yet so no rush

if I wanted to put a drip tray down to protect my drive from the reduction gearbox oil leak, is there one specific place I could put it? e.g. in line with rear wheels, centre of car? let's play pin the drip tray on the mg4 ...

I realise there's just a chance I might get my car with a fix, but I do like to be prepared

 

[BugEyed]

The oil generally exits by the lower arm mount of the rear suspension - it can be on either side, particularly if you park on a side to side slope although the breather is on the nearside.

 

[vini]

The oil generally exits by the lower arm mount of the rear suspension - it can be on either side, particularly if you park on a side to side slope although the breather is on the nearside.

so 2 drip trays then

 

[BugEyed]

so 2 drip trays then

Or a growbag tray across the rear axle line:

https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-growbag-black-tray-l-100cm/5059340329543_BQ.prd

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

All because, the Trophy loves....

......drip tray

 

[tsedge]

It has gone a bit quiet here.

Has anyone had a confirmed leak AFTER the breather fix?

 

[Ian Key]

It has gone a bit quiet here.

Has anyone had a confirmed leak AFTER the breather fix?

Perhaps the new batch don't have an oil leak and the first batch have either been fixed or got tired of mentioning it.

 

[tsedge]

Perhaps the new batch don't have an oil leak and the first batch have either been fixed or got tired of mentioning it.

Yes. That is why I am asking.

 

[Ian Key]

There seems to be less posts on Facebook about the oil leak too

(Fingers crossed I'm not tempting fate)

 

[AndyL61]

There does seem to be a growing number of people on FB that still accept the over fill theory and as such accept the dealers telling them that the refill has solved the issue. Wonder how many have subsequently checked under their car ? Not deliberately being negative just sharing my thoughts.

 

[tsedge]

By popular request, I have added an option to the Oil Leak poll. You can now select “I had the oil leak and a new breather fixed it”.

Please can everyone update their vote, if affected. Thank you.

 

[BugEyed]

By popular request, I have added an option to the Oil Leak poll. You can now select “I had the oil leak and a new breather fixed it”.

To avoid accusations of bias please can we have a “I still have the oil leak and a new breather didn't fix it” option? Hopefully it will remain unused and people will be able to select the more positive option.