MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[AndyL61]

Hi! I've been researching this issue the past couple days as I have an MG4 in order (Norway). Does this seem to be mainly a UK issue? I haven't found much info about this fault in other countries except for that french one mentioned in this thread.

I would suggest it depends on the number of cars on the road and also the amount of owners who have spotted they have oil on the bottom of their car. As the numbers increase I'm sure other countries must have the same issues. Can't be a different gearbox breather for different countries.

 

[Deleted member 9692]

End of this month is end of October, surely?

Yes, but I think this is another mistake from Mr "Smart" - My dealer is adamant that it is second week in November estimated. If sooner they will call me.

 

[Les burrows]

I can not believe for one minute that nobody including Gary Smart an employee from a major vehicle manufacturer does not look from time to time even all the time in on the forums of a product that they offering in the UK and if they or not they dam well should be.
More of that BS and Mushroom Management I think.
Les

 

[Les burrows]

Internal pressure (atmospheric) will be the same but the reduction in fill level is likely to also reduce the amount of oil that gets anywhere near the breather because there is simply less of it in the first place. There is no forced lub system in the gearbox so the gearing gets its lubrication as a result of being semi-submersed in a sump of oil. The oil will circulate through the gearing from bottom to top through a combination of teeth engagement and splashing.

Totally agree which is one of the reason I don’t agree with reducing the oil levels I sure when the box was design they look very carefully at how much oil should be put in to do what it needs to do.
Les

 

[Harry 17]

Totally agree which is one of the reason I don’t agree with reducing the oil levels I sure when the box was design they look very carefully at how much oil should be put in to do what it needs to do.
Les

That has been one of my bug-bears though out this mini crisis.

it is not as though this car was not on the roads up until the UK September launch!

I get differing humidities and temperatures compared to China, but as some others have suggested, this would surely be the grade of oil, not the amount.

This is what worried me about taking it back to the dealership before detailed diagnostics were undertaken, and hence why I have not done, to date.

 

[Alb]

If the original fill amount is not reinstated the only way you will ever be able to check the level is by totally draining and refilling the gearbox rather than just using the filler/level plug.

 

[Nigelleics]

Has our Chorley dealer gone shy? It would be nice to think that there's some decent one's out there, though I've yet to stumble on one. Just avoid Unity

 

[AndyL61]

Has our Chorley dealer gone shy? It would be nice to think that there's some decent one's out there, though I've yet to stumble on one. Just avoid Unity

I would suggest Miles is not totally happy with the response / communication. And does not want to get involved in any negative comments . And who could blame him. It's his livelyhood.

 

[Nigelleics]

Yes, fair enough, but it's quite telling isn't it?

 

[Harry 17]

Yes, fair enough, but it's quite telling isn't it?

It is from MG‘s point of view.

Should the other manufactures up there game and start matching MG for the cost and trim level, then the way things are going, MG will have a major problem on their hands. In my view, anyway.

I for one, do not have brand loyalty to MG, purely right car at the right price tempted me to get on board. I suspect many others at present.

will not take too long for people to jump ship and only ever own one MG, should the rest follow suit for choice and cost. That would be a worry of mine, should I be a CEO. Guess having a whole state behind you, could mean that …….who cares??

 

[Lovemyev]

I would suggest Miles is not totally happy with the response / communication. And does not want to get involved in any negative comments . And who could blame him. It's his livelyhood.

I agree, Miles has provided a HUGE amount of help / advice and information via this forum, ever since the ZS EV Gen 1 was first released in 2019.
Sharing, what he can - when he can.
Even saying :- "Maybe I should not be saying this, but".
If my memory serves me correctly, Miles has attended every single pod cast since its first conception.
If there has been a little less comm's than normal from Miles on this MG 4 subject, then I am 100% sure there is a very good reason why.
I do totally agree with @AndyL61.
His livelihood / career and family must come first, then any other time / contributions he is able to make to the forum, will always be gladly received by us all.

 

[Les burrows]

Members please,
It could well be that Miles has nothing more concrete or definite to tell on the forum and is waiting until he as.

I think there as been enough speculation as to what the problem is, or how it’s going to be fixed as none of us know, and even he in his position as Technical and innovations manager for Chorley Group might have nothing more to add until there is a Definite and proven fix released from MG at Longbridge hopefully very soon for all concerned.

As pointed out above by Lovemyev Miles has been doing as much as he could to help MG owners on this forum since it started and has contacted the powers that be at MG head office on many occasions on the forums behalf, to ask question and gain answers and I for one hope he will continue to do so.

When he has something that he knows is the cure/fix I’m sure he will post it here he is not a salesman he is an MG driver like the rest of us and cares about what he does that’s one of the reason he has been on the podcast every time it as been screened because takes interest in what he does.
Enough said I think.
Les.

 

[Gem10]

It could well be that Miles has nothing more concrete or definite to tell on the forum

It could also well be that he is on holiday and will reply on his return. I am sure he will be well pleased to read the compliments from forum members.

 

[Les burrows]

It is from MG‘s point of view.

Should the other manufactures up there game and start matching MG for the cost and trim level, then the way things are going, MG will have a major problem on their hands. In my view, anyway.

I for one, do not have brand loyalty to MG, purely right car at the right price tempted me to get on board. I suspect many others at present.

will not take too long for people to jump ship and only ever own one MG, should the rest follow suit for choice and cost. That would be a worry of mine, should I be a CEO. Guess having a whole state behind you, could mean that …….who cares??

Harry17 I do agree with a lot of what you have said above, but up to date there’s is nothing even near the MG brand for valve for money.

We have been told over the last few years that Tesla where to bring a people’s car to us costing around £25000 we have still yet to see it,
Great wall motors where to be coming with a reported £25000 Ora Cat well it’s here but the starting price I think is around £31-32000.
BYD are to be coming with the Atto3 last price I heard was again the low 30 grand mark,
no the other car makers of this world are having a long hard think about how they are going to compete against MG on price,quality, and performance now the MG 4 as arrived in the UK starting at £26000.
I think it’s they that have the problem as you might have notice MG are selling fast.
But I agree if MG don’t up there game when things go wrong, people will very likely stick with an ICE vehicle because the prices we be far to high for lots of them.
Les

 

[Les burrows]

It could also well be that he is on holiday and will reply on his return. I am sure he will be well pleased to read the compliments from forum members.

That is very true I agree and of course it is half term in the schools I forgot about that.
Les

 

[Goldie007]

Sadly car makers never admit to anything unless its forced on them to declare it. It does give rise to claims etc once they say yes we have a problem. I bought a brand new Ford Mustang in 2019 and paint was bubbling and they tried blaming me for having it under a tree BEFORE I bought it. God knows what they were thinking at the time when they said it. They did repaint it under a 'Good will gesture' but it did highlight that car makers will never admit to anything.

We ordered our MG4 5 weeks ago and still waiting on any info about it.

 

[Deleted member 9692]

I collected my car from dealer yesterday, to be driven at 50mph and no more until new breather arrives. Service manager had just come from a group meeting. He said that they had taken a decision not to deliver the new MG4 cars they have just received because “how can they deliver a new car without mentioning the oil leak problem and how can they deliver a new car with mentioning the oil leak problem”. He also said that MG have not set any conditions on delivering new cars, it was purely a local decision based on protecting their reputation. Well played MG Motors UK ?

 

[tsedge]

I collected my car from dealer yesterday, to be driven at 50mph and no more until new breather arrives. Service manager had just come from a group meeting. He said that they had taken a decision not to deliver the new MG4 cars they have just received because “how can they deliver a new car without mentioning the oil leak problem and how can they deliver a new car with mentioning the oil leak problem”. He also said that MG have not set any conditions on delivering new cars, it was purely a local decision based on protecting their reputation. Well played MG Motors UK ?

Thanks for the info, this explains why we are getting mixed messages and why dealers are responding differently.

It is a cop out I think, but at least with some dealers holding cars there’ll be a lot of pressure for parts to arrive quickly to fix it.

 

[tsedge]

We ordered our MG4 5 weeks ago and still waiting on any info about it.

It is normal to not hear anything until the car is made, assuming yours is being built to order. I have waited 3-4 months with other manufacturers before getting my first update, then the information comes through.

 

[Lovemyev]

Thanks for the info, this explains why we are getting mixed messages and why dealers are responding differently.

It is a cop out I think, but at least with some dealers holding cars there’ll be a lot of pressure for parts to arrive quickly to fix it.

I think some have taken the following stance.
Do we allow the cars to be collected, then get lashed with loads of calls / enquiries regarding the oil leaks / under tray bulge issues.
Or, do they just hold back and wait a couple of weeks, then carry out the corrective action by installing the modified breathers prior to delivering the cars.
This could well be saving them a long term head ache ?.
They want to deliver the cars and receive the revenue from them of course.
But holding back on deliveries for a short time, maybe a better solution for all concerned ?.